Nathaniel Houston

9.2

Another gem from Chris Carpenter. Full bodied with concentrated mountain fruit. Silky tannins. Long savory finish. Enjoy now and years to come — 10 days ago

Julia Indik

9.3

Opens with currants, red apples, carob, vanilla, laced with smoke and earth. Tannins are tight and rich with moderate acidity. — 23 days ago

with Robert

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. — 16 days ago

Jan de Weerd

9.5

Fantastic. Fresh red fruit aromas rise readily from the wine to be followed with an explosion in flavor. Fresh red berries and raspberries lifted by an earthy minerality slowly disappearing in a lingering finish. — 9 days ago

with Chris, Tammy and 2 others

Ted Holland

9.3

Beautiful wine full of fruit and structure. The nose is delicate but I am pulling baking spices, violets and dark fruits. This wine brings balance and finesse that can easily go many more years. Tannins are elegant but strong, not grippy but structured. Delicious leading with dark cherry but developing into an elegant display of terroir and artistry!! Enjoy!! — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Beautiful drinking Barbaresco with its red cherry, berry fruit, spice, licorice, dried herbs, rose petal & tobacco. — 2 months ago

Pooneet K

9.4

Really a fantastic wine. What a treat! Bought two bottles several years ago. Pulled the first one 4 years ago and it was corked! Was too scared to open the other until tonight - thankfully, this bottle is drinking beautifully. Lots of dark fruit, seamless palate, refreshing acid/menthol note on the finish. 12%! Paired with excellent dry aged strip steak from the good folks at Hudson and Charles. — 22 days ago

David Shaw

9.2

Ruby red, very good clarity. Strawberry aroma, strawberry and raspberry flavors, light skin astringency and a bit of seed bitterness on finish. Slightly tart. After 30 minutes, the lactic character comes out in the finish. — a month ago

Paul K

9.3

Continuing my month of 2016s. This is outstanding! — 2 months ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.3

2016 out of magnum. Cigar box. Ripe tannins. Beautiful. — 2 months ago