Bodegas Drinks And Dreams
Diamond Creek Vineyards
Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1983
Pristine bottle so much power and life left and still fruit definition. Drinks like first growth Pauillac. What a special era for Napa wine. — 8 months ago
Summer Dreams
Stargazing Pinot Noir
White wine that pairs excellent with seafood — 5 months ago
Château Léoville Poyferré
Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
2010. Drinks great. Amazing balance, structured tannins, licorice and bark, solid minerals, organic oak — 8 months ago
Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
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. — 10 months ago
Sugre Pierre
The Trouble with Dreams Chardonnay Blend 2017
Pretty consistent with the 2018 if not a bit more broad. Oak comes through as toasty lemon oil and lemon curd. Certainly not delicate. — 4 months ago
Château Palmer
Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 1974
Magnum Format and 51 years later it drinks like the complex wine it is — 4 months ago
Corison Winery
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Double decant and pour(lots of sediment). A splendid medium ruby red color. On the nose: a little stewed red fruit, herbaceous, worn leather, mint, sweet smokey oak, loamy soil. Taste: smooth, elegant, savory wine with a touch of dried red fruit, dried herbs, cocoa, damp earth, minerals, and a spiced iron/meaty medium finish. YUM! Mature and on the long downside, but still drinks nicely at 28 years. — 8 months ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Dreams, made with Chardonnay grapes, bright straw-yellow color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with floral and spice. On the palate complex flavors of apple, melon, pineapple and creamy lemon flavors with nutty notes, vanilla and ginger spice. Long finish, ending with fruit, subtile oak and citrus mineral notes. — 16 days ago