Caymus Napa Valley 2009 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, $110.49-$129.99, 94 points, needed to have a prolog, because it's epic! This is a big blast, a furlong deep red wine, a massive masterpiece that overwhelmed with anise; black at the core and nearly black at the clear rim, but transitioned purple.The aroma was big too; there was bright dusty cedar, spirited cooking spice, cinnamon and clove, but the fruit notes were black and beautiful.
This fullest of full-bodied red wines showed bright acidity and rolling approachable tannins. Flavors were deep and robust black fruit, with a dominant black currant which was trailed by blackberry, plum, and accentuated by brandy notes (14.9% alcohol).
Finished long on the fading palate, spiciness, eucalyptus, and menthol.
Varietals were 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot.
Is there more to this wine? Yes! The grownups in the wine world will discover a seemingly endless descriptor well when drinking-and-telling about this inky wine from California.
I on the other hand, use this tasting as a learning experience; tasting a wine is the only way to know a wine!
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I was gifted one of these a while ago and it's sitting calmly in the cellar. I don't know when to open it. Do you think it needs more cellaring? Did you decant?
ReplyDeleteJohn, I would say this wine is ready to drink now, and probably for years to come. There is a considerable amount of material (sediment) at the bottom of this wine.
DeleteSpecial occasion denotes different things to different people, and in my book, which lists almost any reason to celebrate, I just had to open something "special."
In my humble opinion, the Groth Reserve was a better balanced wine, and it had more of an elegance of deep simplicity. a harmony of flavor, but I see WE? gave this one 97 points. I'll wait to get your educated assessment!