To Tony (La Grange Park, IL): Caymus is now the sole winery where I've had absolute, undrinkable garbage, and absolute, mesmerizing nectar of the gods. In contrast to most of the other wines at the table tonight, this is a punch-you-in-the-face delicious sort of cabernet. The nose is spectacular -- full-on fireworks and concentrated, sun-drenched Napa goodness. More black-fruited than red, with just a hint of pyrazine and American oak. On the palate, it's just more of the same -- it's not shy or demure -- just straight-up here-I-am Napa ripeness. I had high expectations for the wines tonight, but this bottle was the dark horse.
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Nice bottle; from magnum, blind. Plummy youthful fruit with a cab franc-ish green streak. Which didn't throw anyone off the trail, seemed obviously Californian. A later retaste was less interesting than the first pour as the green turned mean.
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Drew's 40th: From magnum. Big nose of bell pepper, sweeter fruits and smoky notes. Slightly drying tannins. Older California? At peak for me. This was more rustic yet sweeter on palate than the 80 SS.
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From magnum. This wine has held very well. Drinks quite well now - no real signs of fading. It has a certain green aspect to it (green pepper, herbs) that leans towards Bordeaux, yet the wine is unmistakably California - none of the tasters in the room guessed anything but California. There is a bit of brown apple skin on the nose too. But generally the wine is fresh with ample dark, ripe fruit. Decent mouthfeel. Nice wine.
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Monday California Tasting: Clear garnet. Not too much in the nose but then initially wonderful in the mouth. Cooked cherries , sweetness ... wonderful wine and clearly 93 - 94 pts. Then after around 5 - 10 minutes the wine started to oxidize and faded very quickly. So a candidate for pop and pour and fast consumption. Now fully mature
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Drank at Press St. Helena. Still alive but starting to hit the downslope. The nose shows lots of oak still with a nice mix of green and ripe notes. Licorice and mint pop through as well. The palate is a bit thin and I often find old wines like this are for the aromatics not the rest of the experience. That said still fun to drink.
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5/1/2024 - acyso wrote: 100 Points
To Tony (La Grange Park, IL): Caymus is now the sole winery where I've had absolute, undrinkable garbage, and absolute, mesmerizing nectar of the gods. In contrast to most of the other wines at the table tonight, this is a punch-you-in-the-face delicious sort of cabernet. The nose is spectacular -- full-on fireworks and concentrated, sun-drenched Napa goodness. More black-fruited than red, with just a hint of pyrazine and American oak. On the palate, it's just more of the same -- it's not shy or demure -- just straight-up here-I-am Napa ripeness. I had high expectations for the wines tonight, but this bottle was the dark horse.
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11/25/2014 - Neecies Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice bottle; from magnum, blind. Plummy youthful fruit with a cab franc-ish green streak. Which didn't throw anyone off the trail, seemed obviously Californian. A later retaste was less interesting than the first pour as the green turned mean.
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11/23/2014 - godx wrote: 90 Points
Drew's 40th: From magnum. Big nose of bell pepper, sweeter fruits and smoky notes. Slightly drying tannins. Older California? At peak for me. This was more rustic yet sweeter on palate than the 80 SS.
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11/23/2014 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Bricking dark red violet color; cherry, mint, ripe red currant, orange peel nose; mature, silky textured, tart cherry, dill, red currant, eucalyptus palate; medium-plus finish (13% alcohol) 92+ points
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11/23/2014 - Blair Curtis wrote: 90 Points
From magnum. This wine has held very well. Drinks quite well now - no real signs of fading. It has a certain green aspect to it (green pepper, herbs) that leans towards Bordeaux, yet the wine is unmistakably California - none of the tasters in the room guessed anything but California. There is a bit of brown apple skin on the nose too. But generally the wine is fresh with ample dark, ripe fruit. Decent mouthfeel. Nice wine.
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6/25/2013 - Wine_lvr wrote: 89 Points
Monday California Tasting: Clear garnet. Not too much in the nose but then initially wonderful in the mouth. Cooked cherries , sweetness ... wonderful wine and clearly 93 - 94 pts. Then after around 5 - 10 minutes the wine started to oxidize and faded very quickly. So a candidate for pop and pour and fast consumption. Now fully mature
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5/30/2013 - fdub Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank at Press St. Helena. Still alive but starting to hit the downslope. The nose shows lots of oak still with a nice mix of green and ripe notes. Licorice and mint pop through as well. The palate is a bit thin and I often find old wines like this are for the aromatics not the rest of the experience. That said still fun to drink.
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9/27/2005 - PaulH wrote: 94 Points
Offline for Alex and Adam at Zuppa (San Francisco, California USA): From a magnum. Still dark red and youthful looking. Aromas and tastes, just like a good left bank Bordeaux. Nose and palate of cigar box, excellent structure and long finish. Tremendous stuff.
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4/1/1988 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine:
At the office with MPL and BLR. Very nice.
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