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. — 20 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.

The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.

The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.

Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — 2 years ago

Ming L

9.3

The gentle nose shows bright citrus, yellow peach, dried pear, and hint of crush nuts. On the palate it’s concentrated yet vibrant, with round acidity, spice and orange blossom, balanced by lively mineral drive and a long, lingering finish that meshes power with poise.

It’s bold and expressive, with a dynamic tension and savoury complexity that feels both immediate and age-worthy. At this young age, I like it better than the Art Series. — 2 months ago

Roger Ray

9.2

"The result is cherry red with hues of Violet in the glass. Ripe cherry black currant and licorice with a dash of French Oak in the nose, and a full velvety palate, fruity with toffee undertones. " — 2 years ago

Devin Brown

9.1

The description: This Grand Cru is the result of patience, hardwork and love! Harvested by hand, gently pressed before being fermented in oak barrels, the Pinot Gris will turn into a rich, full-bodied white wine with notes of ripe fruit, honey and spice. We suggest to let it in the cellar for a while, let it develop all its expression!
The opinion: o yes very very nice, a fine example of this type of wine from this region. — 2 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

Just rock-solid Châteauneuf, this is exemplary and for me personally my exact sweet-spot in terms of the varied styles from this region. The nose takes a little coaxing, but has a great yin / yang profile of pure, fresh blue fruit, liquorice, violets, and garrigue, versus seared meat, iron and loamy earth. This all puts it square in the middle of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ schools, broadly speaking, and it’s a wine that has the best of both worlds as a result.

The palate is huge, an iron fist in a glove of velvet and so much more, but in no way imbalanced or over-extracted - not overtly alcoholic, at a modest 14%. It spreads out in waves across the palate, ripples which are felt long after the finish. This is clearly a baby now, but it drinks well and will see its 20th birthday in damn fine fettle. Excited to have a case in the cellar.

Decanting not required nor recommended. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

An appealing white blend of 65% Roussanne and 35% Grenache Blanc is a great tasting journey to explore the variety of expressions unique to the mosaic of terroirs of the southern Rhône Valley. The Costières de Nimes AOC, located near the Mediterranean sea, benefits from maritime influences that provides the wines produces in this location with freshness, roundness and elegance.

This blend delivers a realistic aromatics of Geranium (Crane's-bill), orange and lemon peels to amp up the experience. The uplifting acidity on the mouth is invigorating as result of the mix of herbs and zesty citrus.

The juice is clean and mouthwatering with a stone-driven profile (typical of Costieres de Nimes), the balance of this blend is flavorous and elegant. South asian cuisine will the best pairing, cheers! — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2023 vintage. Couple of bucks less and slightly better than the Arneis I picked up 3 months ago. Ridiculously cheap $18 resto cost and delicious. Would buy it but not exactly blowing through Arneis unfortunately and not ready just yet to go with it btg. Gawd, I could crush this for a spell. Quintessential Summer juice. 7.17.24. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

1966 vintage. Last tasted 9.20.23. That bottle was a little "chunkier." This one was more refined. Decanted and tasted nearly immediately and throughout a 2 hour window. Throwing the expected kitchen sink's worth of sed. Color initially seemed lighter, like 30+ year old red Burg but ended up being a tad darker than that. Light-medium body. Earth, summer dirt and Valrhona chocolate in the nose. All this plus dried cherries in the frontal palate finish. Not much to speak of on the back end. Rated that 9.20.23 bottle an 8.8 and this is slightly better. Still...a definite rush to crush this. 11.11.23. — 2 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

50% Tannat, 50% Merlot blend. A lesser-known cuvée by Alain Brumont. The result is in the Bordeaux spirit. Black dress, ruby reflections still suggesting aging potential. After two hours of absolutely necessary aeration, the wine delivers notes of black fruits, blackberries, blackcurrants, plum. The breeding is elegant and melted with tannins between tobacco, chocolate, caramel, eucalyptus... the evolution notes are perfectly integrated into the bouquet. A wine with a classic style, of great drinkability.

Assemblage 50% Tannat, 50% Merlot pour cette cuvée moins connue de Alain Brumont. Le résultat est dans l’esprit Bordelais. Robe noire, reflets rubis suggérant encore du potentiel de garde. Après deux heures d’aération absolument nécessaire le vin se livre sur des notes de fruits noirs, mûres, cassis, prune. L’élevage est élégant et fondus aux tanins entre tabac, chocolat, caramel, eucalyptus.. les note d’évolution sont parfaitement intégrées au bouquet. Un vin au style classique, d’une grande buvabilité. — 3 years ago