Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When Caymus was Caymus!!!

It is good to remember the style of wine Chuck used to make. His wine from 2011 backwards. The wine I used to collect. I refer to this now as Caymus Classic. I have requested they make this style again every time I see a Caymus representative. Just 500 cases by simply picking earlier at lower brix and applying past winemaking. They under estimate how fast those cases would sellout.

I get they made a business decision to make a sweeter wine that will drink easier young. They get better critic scores and sell to a larger customer base. A customer base that generally drinks it like supermarket buyers…within the first two weeks of purchase.

Of course, 1997 was an epic vintage in Napa and this 97 bought weeks ago has been well stored and in perfect condition. I miss this wine as it has so much more character than their 2012 vintage & forward. So do many former Caymus collectors.

The nose reveals, bright, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries that are just starting to reveal some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, dark spice, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets.

The palate is exquisite. It is all beauty with nothing bitty or angular. Ripe, juicy, lush; blackberries, cassis, black raspberries, dark cherries with hints of some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries as it unfurls & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco with ash, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, perfect dark spice with some tongue heat, mocha, dark chocolate baking bar, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & hints of vanillin, dry herbs, baking soda, dry limestone powder, top soil with pebbles, slightly moist volcanic clay, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets, excellent, rainfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured, polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on spice & gentle earthy tones. I miss their distinct spice. Glorious!!!

This bottle is somewhere on the other side of the bell curve and still singing. Still very sound. It won’t improve and recommend if you own, drink them sooner than later but certainly not a rush.

88% Cabernet, 10% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc. 25.95% Paladins, Skruggs, Wright-St. Helena. 52.15% Caymus Estate, Glos, Usibelli-Rutherford, 15.84% Sciambra-Atlas Peak, 6.06% Tambor Vineyards-Mt. Veeder.

Photos of: Caymus tasting room, tasting room courtyard, owner Chuck Wagner and vineyard. — 5 months ago

Joe Fischer

9.2

Our last meal at the Lone Eagle Grill in Tahoe as it is closing at the end of the month! A great wine with my Blueberry Thyme Elk! Nice berry aromas with a rich long smooth finish. Will miss the restaurant! I’ve not had a bad Produttori wine. — 9 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

From a recently purchased owc showing the classic LB personality of red cherry, black berry fruit, cassis, leather, menthol, graphite, sweet savory spices & tobacco. This has been fully mature for a while where perfectly stored btls are still drinking well. — 10 months ago

Paul Masson

9.2

Juicy-fruited, this is unabashedly lime- and peach-forward, with floral and mineral accents playing a secondary role. Acidity is refreshing but not life-ruining. Mouthfeel is pleasantly rounded, belying its moderate abv (11.5%) and crisp, dry finish. Not complex, but pure pleasure, balanced and composed; you’d have to be some kind of dipshit not to love this wine. — 4 years ago

Brittney

10

Good berry flavor. 100% best one I’ve had so far — 5 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.4

2005 Vintage. 16.4% Alcohol. 93% Grenache, 7% Syrah. Wow, this wine was stunning. Cork broke in two using the lever screwpull but saved it with a hand corkscrew for the remaining half inch. Even under the intact wax cap. Found it hidden in double deep racking on the white/rose side of my cellar. Big fruit and velvety mouthfeel. Not obviously hot, but packed a punch! — 6 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Great vintage for Jamet showing dark cherry, berry, meat, graphite, olive, savory spice, mineral & violet — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Dark Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs and earthy floral spice, blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, Petit Verdot & Cabernet Franc. On the palate flavors of black cherry, raspberry and currants with espresso, cacao and earthy notes. Well balanced, lively acidity, fine ripe tannins long finish with fruit, oak, mineral and floral spice! Nice drinking Cab! — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Crafted by Joseph J. Wagner, 4th generation winemaker, with winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas, tea and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of jammy blackberry and cherry with pronounced sweet vanilla oak, cacao and pepper spice notes. Soft tannins and bright acidity, well balanced, with mineral tones on a long finish ending with toasty spice! Nice! — 8 months ago

Abbas Zand

9.0

Grassy & herbal aromas. Full bodied. Nice & not too acidic. Grass, grapefruit, lime, and herbal notes, some tropical/passion fruit flavors. Stoney minerality.
$26 — 9 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Just phenomenal. And I am a Graach guy at Prum. More never and energy than WS. Nose is so ethereal. Lime zest, first of season green apple skins, slate, apricot, phyllo dough. So expressive. Some sweet rubber as well. Like brand new rubber boots. Palate is so elegant and concentrated but light yet almost middle weight and weightless. Huge fruit soak. Such purity. Perfect for a mid summer Tuesday night. — a year ago

Douglas Braun

9.1

2012 Vintage - berry, leather , a lot of other than fruit, orange zest,wood spice ,umami -red rim color — 4 years ago

Richard Hylton

9.5

Fantastic 1988 Phelps Insignia. Fresh, lively with acidity and wonderful red berry flavors and slight cocoa notes on the finish. Silky mouthfeel. Nose still unfurling hints of sweet chocolate and raspberry. A gorgeous showing. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

One of the bottles from my annual WWC hosting, opened alongside a 2020 Chateau Beaucastel Blanc.

46% Grenache Blanc/31% roussanne/23% Chenin Blanc.

More expressive and dialed up compared to the Beaucastel (not a big surprise). Medium gold in the glass. Bright and juicy roussanne notes of orange marmalade and apricot, alongside white peaches and a powder-sugar funnel-cake type aromatic. The Chenin gives this a good spine of acidity to prevent the rich and full-bodied entry from being flabby. Honey-roasted nuts, honeycomb, lemon cream, underripe pineapple and a savory/waxy finish. The warmth comes out at the finish, but it’s not substantial. Really nice with 1-2hrs of air. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 76% Merlot, 22% Cab Sauv and 2% Cab Franc, deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruit and earthy spice tones. On the palate flavors of rich blackberry and ripe cherry with sweet spice, licorice and cedar notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with oak, fruit and mineral character. Good to drink now, will age some. — 8 months ago

Galen Hasler

9.1

Beautiful crisp lime finish with mineral and mild acidity — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, & Charbono. Deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe berry fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum with cacao, baking spice and vanilla. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and tobacco notes. — 9 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Great salinity. Lime and rockpools. Lovely sweet corn notes. Great balance. Still very fresh — 2 years ago

Phasmaster

9.2

Gift pats

Really like this. Complex on front and middle. Let's you know it's here for the full experience — 4 years ago

Morgan Reese

10

Dr. Steve Brule gets a 10! Drank the 3L at the ranch. Worth it!!! — 5 years ago

with Andrew