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. — 4 months ago

Maarten 't Hooft

9.6

Still super young. Literally still tingling on the tongue.
Strong fruit nose with long aftertaste. Leave it in the glass for a while or decant for an hour.
This is not a delicate or light Pinot. It's full bodied and has lots of dark fruit with a lot of oak
Just need several more years to develop, i think — 3 years ago

Max Schector

10

A-ma-zing. So smokey and peppery on the nose, the taste completely back it up. With bold and bright red cherry, oak and pepper on the back of the tongue. It sits and grows in flavor. The body really keeps giving. — 4 years ago

Dylan Thomas

9.0

Citrus slice precise like a scalpel slash.

Lime peel, green apple, it’s a tongue reaction,
Gooseberry funk, now that’s chemical satisfaction.
Aromatics hit like alien spores,
Givin’ tastebuds tours through interstellar doors.

Acidic but smooth, like vinyl in the lab,
No oak cloak — just stainless swag.
I diagnose it: crisp, dry, a clean incision — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1983 vintage. Had the requisite BDX "funk" in the nose upon opening. Coming hard with the Pompey/Crassus/Caesar triumvirate of cherry, cedar and earth in both the nose and flavor profile. Light-medium body. Decanted (mega-sed!) and tasted over the course of two hours. Not improving but slotted into this groove a few years ago and can see it performing these same dance moves for another 7-10 years. 7.22.23. — 2 years ago

Nick Petras

9.3

Nice Zen blend that is very dry and has a bite of alcohol on the back of the tongue. Really enjoyed — 4 years ago

Leslie Matheson

9.9

Loved this Pinot unconditionally. So welll balanced, with perfect fruit, cherry, cut grass. The finish was perfect, lasting on the tongue with balance and some astringency. Purchased this wine in the tasting room as I scrambled to get home as covid was sweeping the US. Shared it with Marc. One of the loveliest wines I have had in many years. — 5 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.2

Big boy MAGNUS big like a freakin' baseball bat. Big like 13% ABV and 1,000 volts of electricity in silvery gray green shades. Hovers indecisively for a second, then settles into intense sour citrus.

Delicate soft aromas of grapefruit, lime leaf and sage become crazy intense with tip of tongue acid, thick edges that suck your cheeks in tight. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.6

Pure passion. I keep these well supplied simply because they’re so damn good. A very pretty light golden color in the glass. The nose is magnificent with chalk and floral aromas. A burst of honeysuckle, orange peel, and quince. Beautiful brioche notes with a streak of honey. Just divine.

Bottled at a lower pressure than other champagnes which produces a softer wine. Creamy and complex, it’s a magisterial Blanc de Blancs. Primarily from the 2016 vintage with 30% of the blend coming from 2014. Elegant and generous with a real sense of place.

Slight hints of grapefruit and apples on the palate. Herbal essence and white fruits for days and days and days. Really striking on the tongue. Long, persistent finish. But ignore all of that, this is really about emotions. There’s passion and love and romance here. And isn’t that what it’s all about anyway?
— 2 years ago

Jay Griffin

9.1

Fruity blossomy fragrances as it's full flavor touches your tongue! The balance in acidity is a welcome to that a tempranillo should always be...superbly just a very refreshing finish with taste I can only compare it as a continuous dark chocolate dark cherry cordell from start to finish with the fruit down the center of the palate and the dark chocolate around it in a continuity that's just plain delicious! — 3 years ago