Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/807387
{ SOMMjournal.com } 91 Moving on to the 2007, the level of ripe- ness seems noteworthy. The fruit is very ripe without crossing the threshold into over-ripeness. Wagner agrees, "I don't like wines over the edge [of ripeness], but if you can get right on the edge, it's a sign of perfection." Blue confirms, "I think this is right where you want to be." The full- bodied, luscious wine also showed a lower acidity level. "We haven't acidified our wines since the transition," lends Wagner. The 2009, the 2010 and the 2013 gar - nered incredible accolades from the tasting group. While the wines are young, showing primary fruit and more overt oak sweet- ness, they offer immense drinkability. "Ten years from vintage date is perfect for me," Wagner says when asked for his personal preference in drinking the Caymus Special Selection wines. With their delicious early approachability, however, many of them may not make it that long. Caymus Vineyards began as founder Charlie Wagner's home-winemaking project in 1970–1971, but it was the 1973 vintage that launched the winery. Currently, the win - ery sits on 73 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. They also source from eight of the Napa Valley sub-appellations, producing approxi- mately 25,000 cases of Special Selection and 120,000 cases of Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon each year. TASTING NOTES The tasting panel gave each vintage a consensus score. 1990 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Deep ruby color with garnet and rusty edges, stewed cassis and roasted blackberry on the nose with a touch of oak and tobacco; lean in the mouth and very integrated; long, lean tannins with the soft black fruit taking a back seat; very pretty wine. 92 —Mary Thompson, ex–The Line Hotel (new project TBA) 1994 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Perfumed bouquet, rich, thick but balanced better on the palate; drying tannins on the finish; fruit's dried up yet interesting richness in this wine. 90 —Chuck Wagner, owner of Caymus Vineyards 1999 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Oak notes to begin with darker fruits, blackberry and cedar ; beautifully balanced structure in its ratio of fruit to acid to tannin to oak; rich body and extremely long finish; tertiary characteristics starting to show, but the wine is still fresh. 94 —Allyson Gorsuch, Deputy Editor, The Somm Journal 2003 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Opaque center ; deep, deep crimson; a real California Cab nose; the palate is rich, vibrant and full with a long finish that really coats the mouth. 95 —Smiley Quick, Wine Specialist, Vendome Wine and Spirits 2007 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Dark, deep color ; nose shows lots of dark, deep fruit and a sweetness; tannins up front, delicious mid-palate, long plush finish with lots of fruit; can age but great to drink now. 96 —Simon Shamoun, owner, Tarzana Wines and Spirits 2009 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Much more of an opulent nose. Still the alcohol tinge on nose, but fruits are prevalent. Subtle mocha. I get noticeable Merlot on the nose and palate. Rich on the front palate. Subtle tannins that kick in on the finish. Black fruits, dried herbs of sage and rosemary, chocolate texture. Silky, complex. Acid is higher than 07. 97 —Dan Bailey, Sommelier, Mastro's Beverly Hills 2010 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Dark, rich nose; smooth, ripe blackberries; lush with a sweetness, dense, chocolate, spice, earth, supple and balanced; intense wine. 96 —Anthony Dias Blue, Editor-in-Chief, The Somm Journal 2013 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Wow! Great attack, full and bold; really beautiful; herbal and floral; clear though-line; I love the freshness and the bright, fruit quality. 99 —Albert Letizia, Sommelier, The Bazaar by José Andrés Caymus Special Selection is one of the icons of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.