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. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Not to be outdone, the 1989 Chave Hermitage Rouge showed more brambles than the ’88 along with other desiccated blue and black fruits. Dried flowers, beef, blood, leather and mushrooms. Every time I have the pleasure of drinking old Chave, I’m reminded that these wines have so much character and there is a reason they are so adored. Lovely with grilled lamb and Moroccan spices. Drink now through 2040. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A blend of 50% Malbec, 22% Merlot, 22% Cab Sauv & 6% Cab Franc, aged in French oak 50/50 new & 1 year old, combining fruit from Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruit, earthy and floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and tart cherry flavors, with vanilla, licorice, citrus and herb spice. Fine tannins, well balanced long finish ending with tart fruit and a sweet earthy mineral character. Nice! A Fav! — 4 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

Decanted for around an hour, the recently released 2013 Grand Vin from Chateau Musar is an enormous wine at present in its youth. Gradually, it opened into a gorgeous, exotic and utterly unique product of this unlikely corner of the wine world. There’s plenty of Bordeaux-like character in the form of dark fruit and cigar box, but there are notes too of cranberry, liquorice, clove, mandarin and five spice. The mouthfeel, as a whole, has a quasi Brunello quality to it, with its bright cherry fruit and mouthwatering acidity. But woe is anyone to compare this wine to any other, for it is incomparable. One of Serge Hochar’s last vintages before his passing in 2014, and one that will doubtless have a long life. — 5 years ago

Chris

9.2

Really nice fruit forward Oregon Pinot, with earthy character. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

A special wine not produced every vintage, BDX presents a different expression of Oakville in a Bordeaux blend of 79% Cab Sauv and 21% Cab Franc (To Kalon fruit), aged in French oak (87% new) for 27 months. Aromas of rich ripe berry fruit with oak spice and cedar notes. On the palate blackberry and cherry flavor with cacao and cedar spice, great balance and structure. Soft tannins with balanced acidity on a lingering finish ending with a tobacco earthy character. Nice! — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, adding in spice and some biscuit notes. On the palate complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, peaches and Asian pears. Slight earthiness with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle yeasty character. Very nice! Consistent quality! Will age well! — 7 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Great btl that had the classic LB character showing mostly red fruit, cedar, leather, spice box & tobacco notes — 8 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

No formal notes . Medium ruby . Bit more coffee and roasted character at first , touch of oak perhaps. Quite rich and rounded on the palate at first, good acidity , good length . More red fruit , more delicate after a while , mineral , oyster shell , mineral and leaner on the long finish . Very classic , grafite tinged . This improved with air and really gained in complexity with time . I would be tempted to leave this a little longer or give it a longer decant . No rush here , will continue well for a further 10 years . Tied as my favourite wine of the flight with the Latour. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured from my cellar. The cork was absolutely perfect. The 2005 pours a rather turbid, deep garnet at nearly 17 years old. There's quite a bit of fine sediment that clings to the edge of the glass with each swirl. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, this was initially a bit grumpy but within minutes, it relaxed and started to show some real charm. A fully developed wine, this is becoming a bit of a Leather Daddy, full of leather (obviously), bruised and desiccated red, black and blue fruits, Christmas spice fruit cake, coffee, damp earth, and candied nuts. On the palate, the fruit remains quite stunning and confirms the mix of bruised and desiccated fruit with a sort of sherried character. Loads of salmiakki (salted licorice), spiced nuts, pepper, coffee and, you guessed it, leather. The wine was dry, technically, but almost gives the sensation of some RS with all of the over-ripe fruits and the texture was almost sappy, in some ways. However, while this was absolutely rich and well-endowed, it was not cloying. Tannins have fully integrated (though still present) and the acid was like a girdle keeping everything held together. This remains a rather large personality even if it's showing its age. Definitely in a lovely spot...but how much longer will that last? If this wasn't my last bottle, I would probably be drinking these over the next five years unless you want the full Leather Daddy experience...which is okay if that's your thing. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Family-owned and operated started in 1999 by Dr John and Karen Bergstrom. Medium Ruby with fresh ripe berry fruit flavors, tea and floral spice notes. On the palate, cherry, cranberry and raspberry flavors with complex herb and orange citrus notes. Fine tannins on long finish ending with slight citrus character. Drink now while it’s fresh, will benefit from short-term aging. I like ‘17 better than ‘16. — 5 years ago

Pete Talala

9.9

The best Las Piedras juice / vintage tasted so far!! — 6 years ago

John B

9.0

Thinner than previous bottles. Perhaps entering it’s dumb phase? — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A pale lemon yellow in colour - quite youthful looking for a 12 year old Chardonnay. Aromatics of white peach - mealy and nutty notes, still with a nice acid cut at the finish. Drinking at its peak. Fuller than some Marg River Chardonnays I’ve had lately like Xanadu and Fraser Gallop. I have had richer Art Series Chardonnays but personally I love the balance in this. Tasted in May 2025 the first bottle. Had my 2nd last bottle on 20th September 2025 and it was utterly delicious. Stone fruit and dried pear character to the fore. I will have my last bottle in the coming summer or early 2026 and will make a fresh Delectable note. — 8 months ago

Ericsson

9.8

New vintage release tasting at Vega Sicilia in Ribera del Duero. The 2015 Unico presented an elegant profile, while the 2020 Valbuena showcased a bolder character. Traditionally, Unico is known for its power and structure, whereas Valbuena tends to be the more refined and elegant wine. Staff assured me it is not a reversal in winemaking techniques but rather a juxtaposition of their respective vintages. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 96% Sauv Blanc with 4% Sauv Gris adding an interesting dynamic to the wine & distinctive aromas (prior to ‘18 vintage some Semillon added). Pale lemon color, citrus, tropical & floral aromas. On the palate peach, melon, herb & earthy tones, well balanced with acidity, smooth yet robust on a long finish ending rich with wet stone character. Good value! A Fav!! Very consistent! — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Made by famous Vega Sicilia estate. Deep Ruby with an array of aromas, dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak, aged for about 14 months in French oak, mostly new. On the palate flavors of juicy ripe blackberry currants, blueberry & plum with mocha, espresso and licorice wrapped in oak. Firm round taut tannins, great balance with acidity, full body, long finish ends with fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Almost starting to open, definitely needs more time! Will age a decade or more!! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Just tried another ‘18. Cakebread wine offerings are among my Favs, Chard is no exception, consistent quality year/year. 95% of grapes sourced from Carneros, ‘18 saw 8 months on 1/3 new oak with about 20% of wine going through malolactic fermentation. Aromas of stone fruits, slight & honey scents. On palate complex flavors of apple, peach & lemon zest, balanced with good acidity & great mouthfeel. Long finish ending with fruit, wet stone and toasty character. Very nice, aging well. — 5 years ago

Molly Farrar

9.7

Wow this is one of those wines that makes you say “wine can taste like that?!” — 6 years ago

Kyle McGrotty

9.5

Napa meets Europe. Old world character and ridiculously good. — 7 years ago