Ron Siegel

9.2

This had notes of dark berry fruits, earth, spice & mineral. — 14 days ago

Peggy Hadley

9.0

Mizumi. Las Vegas. — 24 days ago

with Jim and Tommy

Jan A

9.6

Soft and round, a point for my palate.

I've had limited experience with first growths until now and I always was blown away by how young these first growths presented themselves (70's/80's). Most were much older than the 1996 of today, so I was pleased to see that this was so approachable. — a month ago

Michael Wehner

9.0

Apparently not a Tuesday wine — 2 months ago

with Margaret

K L

9.1

Issue with the half bottle again. These just aren’t right…. Would be good if not. — 2 months ago

with Matt

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have written a few times regarding my tale of Caymus & Caymus Classic. Their vintages post 2011 and their vintages pre 2011.

I have at event tastings that Caymus was pouring, encouraged their staff to talk with Chuck to make both Caymus & Caymus Classic. Recently, I emailed them to pass on my thoughts to Chuck asking him to make both. If you liked Caymus the way it was, I encourage you to do the same. There is a dwelling amount of older, well preserved Caymus Classic vintages. info@wagnerfamilyofwine.com should you be so inclined.

Their post 2011 Caymus Cabernets are picked at higher brix and syrupy sweet. I get why Chuck changed. Many like sweeter Cabernets that drink easy young. That is not my wheelhouse.

In my intermediate wine days, I aged and enjoyed many pre 2012 vintages. This perfect bottle bought on the secondary market at around $70 is extremely well stored. The cork when I cut the foil looked slightly depressed, when I pulled it with an Ah-so was next to new.

I enjoyed this with a Ribcap, not the best wine for that steak but, ok. This 07 is more filet or NY Strip.

The nose shows; a very dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush-blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mellow dark spices, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry tobacco, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender.

This bottle now nearly 18 years in bottle has not faded. It is at its precipice and will hold a few yrs. 2007 a grand Napa vintage. Decanted a little over an hour and enjoyed over the next 90-120 minutes. With this experience, another hour in the decanter is even better.

M-M+ velvety, rounded, tannins. The palate is round, ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush; blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, stewed plum, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries with notes of liqueur overtones, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, black licorice, dark berry cola, distinct dark, Caynus Classic spices w/ palate heat, herbaceous notes, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone/rock, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry river stone, charcoal, notes of menthol, dry tobacco, leather, dry oak barrel shavings, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, perfect, round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted-toned-structured, elegantly/smartly polished finish that goes on and on and long sets on beautiful earth & spice.

94+ This experience is becoming rarer & rarer. — 4 months ago

Tim O’Brien

9.3

Really good cab sav someone gave us for engagement, not bitter at all but still rich (in a good way) — 19 hours ago

Jason Keefer

9.4

Anniversary wine! Classic Nuit! Secondary characteristics starting to develop but still very fresh. Forest floor, dark fruits, a bit vegetal. Very layered. — a month ago

with Natasha

Tom Casagrande

9.4

Post dinner party notes. Third bottle I’ve had of this and by far the best yet. Amazing. Such a complex nose, with roasted herbal notes, dark spicy fruit, earthy mineral iodine notes Tannins just about completely resolved. Length and depth for days. Wow. — 2 months ago

Richard Sohn

9.1

Right bank — 2 months ago

Mike Evans

9.5

Just a brilliant Bordeaux, classic Pauillac and drinking young but well. — 3 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Pear, baked apple, lemon, honey and mango. Great acidity and balance. — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.8

So much to say about this bottle. Its profile, its history, its growing rarity. And the fact that it was made at the very peak of The Patriarch’s era…

Then there is the occasion. A wine you cellar and protect, waiting patiently for the one moment worthy of all its allure.

A wine from a cooler Napa Valley, so evident in the glass it becomes mesmerizing. The freshness, the tension, the quiet authority; everything speaks of a time and place in Napa which no longer exists.

Yes, this is the kind of bottle that stays with you, not just as a wine, but as a memory. — 6 months ago

Peggy Hadley

9.1

Tao Las Vegas — 25 days ago

with Tommy and Jim

Steve Rura

8.9

Saline, dry, red berry, citrus rind, bitters. Very nice, but I prefer a little more fruit and a little more French. With the first grill of the season! Charred salmon, asparagus, corn on the cob, and strawberry tomato and watermelon salad — 2 months ago

Chris Anton

9.2

A great Merlot to say cheers to the weekend! — 2 months ago

Ericsson

9.3

Mondavi To Kalon Wine Vertical @ Thyme Restaurant — 3 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

From Magnum.
Very young and fresh…! — 2 months ago

Jesse Clemente

9.7

2017 showed nicely - young. Drank on EA with GG — 3 months ago

K L

9.2

Great as Pinots go but only good for this maker. These half bottles continue to perplex. — 4 months ago

with Matt