Smooth, almost syrupy. Nice Cab but unusual. Doesn’t really have the Napa snap that you usually get in a higher end Napa Cab. It might smooth out even more with time, but I’m not sure it will improve in flavor. Just not my style. I won’t buy again for that price point
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An over the top cab. Sweet overripe berries. Toasted oak. This is a kind of wine I don’t drink often. For the style, it’s almost perfect. Of course if wine was only this, I would get tired very soon. Once in a while it’s so good with the right food. You smile with each sip, almost guilty of loving it….
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This wine is not for me. Decent for a braising wine, came across a half case for free. But it tastes artificial almost - so buttery and loaded with baking spice and bruised fruit and totally lacking structure or balance.
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Hey - nice surprise here. Was expecting the super sweet overly extracted Caymus...but got something much more balanced. Quite nice - a bit on the fruity side but very good.
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Continues to be one of my favourite Napas. Very dark red, really expressive nose filled with licorice, deep dark fruit; smooth - so soft - lots of gentle power, not too much - nice bite in the aftertaste with a pleasant burn; aftertaste goes on and on; candy for adults - oh, and by the way, much better than the Napanook same year higher price, I tasted yesterday
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This was I wine that, when I first started drinking Cabs was a favorite. I had a bottle on the rack that was given to me and now it's time to revisit the Caymus Napa Valley. Popped, poured and a blast from the past: A ripe extracted ultra fruity Cab that's very much one dimensional for me, but a wine that will please the crowd at a party. Initially, there was a discernable green/ vegetal aspect that subsided with some air. A drinkable wine, but If given a choice and for the price point, there are better options for me. I have enjoyed their SS (the 2012 was very good), but that label is not what it use to be. From about 2013 vintage, to date the SS is now overpriced for what it is. This 2016 NV is 90/91 Points. It's not a bad wine but it's not for me.
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So much has been said about Caymus. The good, the bad and the ugly. This bottle is consistent with all the traits that make this wine so divisive. It's very ripe and slightly sweet as expected, but why does that make some people so angry?
On day 1 the nose was open, primarily dark fruited and heavily barrel seasoned. Palate confirmed nose with some lift on the finish and fairly resolved tannins. Slightly stewed fruits... Finish is medium with the slight sweetness fading.
By day 2 the nose is pruned and stewed. Palate followed in suit as expected. Was quite easy drinking given the lack of grip. Still way off balance compared to what I prefer to drink, but not enough to piss me off. Finish consistent with day 1.
I would say drink up as the lack of structure suggests little chance for improvement. Or better yet, pour this for people who aren't so easily offended. They might think it's the greatest wine they have ever tasted.
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This vintage is performing very well and consistent, other years not so much. We had this with pre-cooked Costco ribs and it paired wonderfully with the ribs and seasoning.
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Liter bottle. Decanted for 60 minutes. A big wine with strong tannins, dark fruit, some leather and tobacco, long finish. Tannins mellowed and wine opened up after a couple of hours, at which point it also gained complexity. Definitely could use more aging.
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The 2016 is now a general crowd pleasing wine. I'd drink now. I don't think this has the characteristics of a long cellaring wine. Super fruit forward and almost sweet tasting. Some backbone that made it interesting enough.
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Dark red; very intense nose, dark berries, blackberries; sweet soft nice attack, very good balance held up with good / sufficient acidity, mild tannins; sweet, broad, really nicely tasting
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Eye: deep purple color, long legs in the glass. Nose: dark cherries, forest fragrance, note of cocoa. Palate: slightly jammy, dark berry flavor, full mouthfeel, good structure - still young, long finish.
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Aromas of dark cherries, blackberry, chocolate and cedar.
On the palate, ripe dark berries and black cherry with hints of leather and graphite. Medium+ body with medium velvety tannins and medium+ acidity. Long finish with notes of cedar and cocoa.
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$20 - $40 - $60 - $80: Lariana Cab from BC and 3 Cali Cabs: Tasted blind. Dark crimson colour, benign nose. Not much in the way of tannins, and little complexity. Kept searching for fruits to distinguish it from the other wines we were tasting. It's an unmemorable wine. At this price point, it makes no sense whatsoever, and will not buy again.
Had with a BC Cabernet, and J'Lohr and Austin Hope. The Caymus came in 2nd in the tasting behind the BC Cabernet from Lariana. If you factor in value, it was clearly 4th place.
A much maligned wine, some of it legitimate but probably past the point of fairness
It’s a very dark purple color Nose: sage, cedar, baking spice: cinnamon vanilla, definitely a grape juice presence also. Slight mint leaf.
Kind of a juicy mouthfeel and dried fruit and kind of a raisin/prune aftertaste. Faded vanilla is pretty prominent. Not much tannin, dryness is pretty underwhelming. Can definitely taste the grape juice, it’s overly sweet and has a light syrup quality to it as well. Kind of hate to compare it to grape cough medicine, but...kind of fits on a low scale.
Hints of chocolate and mocha with leather. Tannins were initially harsh then mellowed over 2 hours slightly. Needs another 5 years or so IMHO. Will likely be good then. Rating reflects future.
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Really liked the ‘16 first time I tried it, last bottle not so much. I know many people hate this wine, I’m excited to try it again and see.
Very dark purple
Nose: chocolate syrup, distant sweetness, worn leather, rolling tobacco, oak and cedar, graphite, berry mix. A pretty subtle nose overall.
Milky kind of light-medium body, a little dry, finish wasn’t overly impressive. Though it is pretty layered and presents black tea and cacao, chocolate syrup, toasted vanilla. Does seem to be kind of lacking some balance. Fruit is definitely there also.
Definitely improving with time...
I do like this wine.
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Good Color, body and clarity. This is drinking at it's prime - lots of complexity from start to end. Good fruit, lots of oak and the vanilla finish lasts a long time! .
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US cab “tasting” with fondue; Corison 16, Caymus 16, Dunn 15; all well balanced, smooth and approachable; Corison a “crowd pleaser” with chocolate; Caymus same level but more on the licorice side; Dunn the “weakest”, a bit dull in comparison
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Delicious. Deep ruby in the glass purple teeth staining goodness, classic CA fruit driven style, nose invites with black fruits berry and wood, palate is dry and all about ripe juicy black cherry, plum, cassis, baking spice, cedar makes an appearance but does not overpower, tannins are silky, finish goes on. Yummy.
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Beautiful purple with red hue Nose: vanilla, allspice, strong minerality, pine, mint & sweet spring flowers Smooth and milky, ripe blackberry, and nice dry lasting finish with toasted caramel and vanilla. Black tea this has a lot of minerality. Not quite as good as I remembered but this could be going through a phase of aging. When I had it last I absolutely loved it so I will be patient.
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Decanted 2.5 hours. Really pronounced aged balsamic notes, syrupy, high glycerin content/legs. That said, it wasn't cloyingly sweet and there were sufficient tannins to offset the fruit-forward nature. Went well with hanger steak, French lentil meal. It was very palatable right out of the bottle but the decant helped bring out the nose and length on the back end. Doesn't perform to its price point but since I received it as a gift, irrelevant to me.
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Good color, body and clarity. Upfront smooth and easy with berries then middle to end a combination of vanilla, cedar and fruit. The finish is Very nice and last for a while.
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Deep purple. Overpowering blackcurrant/cassis on the nose and taste. Syrupy and sweet. Medium acidity. Very short finish. No depth or finesse. Like drinking blackcurrant syrup neat. Way over priced. Avoid.
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I've had a couple vintages of Caymus now and I don't really get all the hype, but also don't get all the hate to it as well. The wine is good, but just nowhere near worth what they are charging for it IMHO. I don't see the super fruit forward jammy fruitbomb feedback that alot of people write. There is some fruit there, but to me fruit forward fruitbomb is more in line with a Venge Scout, Austin Hope or a Rombauer Zinfandel, those are all actually delicious if you like the heavy fruit forward wine. This leans more to the dry side and you won't regret that you drank it, but also I never thought hey I need to get some more bottles.
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Informal dinner, no detailed notes. Not really my cup of tea as I find it clearly too ripe and sweet. In 2016, nature would have provided the vintners with ideal conditions to keep the ripeness and sweetness better in check and the wines structured and fresh.
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30 minute decant out to dinner at Racks in Delray. Deep semi opaque eggplant purple with a magenta rim. Been awhile since I had a Caymus. It’s a nice wine with a big flavor punch of ripe plum, vanilla and black cherry but definitely on the sweet side with heavy flavor of creme brûlée sugar crust (burnt sugar). Not enough tannins or acidity to hold the sweetness in check. Medium plus body. About 90-91 but a pretty poor QPR, so going with 90.
It did improve on 2nd day with less sweetness and some smokey charcoal notes so I recommend a long decant if drink now.
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This has aged terribly in only 1 year. Even more spoofed than it was before. Like drinking chocolate syrup mixed with cassis liqueur. No structure whatsoever and no food pairing that could possibly work.
OMFG - I waited eight years to taste this wine, and I'm very surprised by the reality vs the reviews ...
Why did I have high expectations? We all have preferred styles. Me, I like bright, clean whites, and big, fruit forward, highly alcoholic red wines. The reds that I love get criticized by some people who use similar terminology to those who diss Caymus, so I guessed that Caymus might share some characteristics of the wines that I love - wines like Clio, like Mollydooker's Blue Eyed By, like Penfolds Bin 389, Turley Zinfandels, even Martinelli Zinfandels with 17% alcohol.
So I'm browsing through an unfamiliar wine store in an unfamiliar town and, for the first time, saw half-bottles of Caymus 2016 for $49. I had intended to try this wine for eight or ten years, but never got around to spending $90 on a gamble. I bought the half-bottle, and a few other familiar reds at the same time. Just got to my hotel room in time to watch UFC and open the Caymus ...
The wine is very dark purple, 14.7% alcohol, medium viscosity, with aromas of red fruit, vanilla, cough syrup. As soon as it touched my tongue I tasted sugar - not red fruit, just plain sucrose. I had an instantaneous emotional reaction - fear. I didn't want to let this wine go anywhere near the back of my mouth. It reminded me of my reaction when I tried Durian fruit ice-cream. I was afraid that I would gag as it went down. I swallowed it, and went "blech". I want to understand this wine, so I took another sip and forced myself to swish it around my mouth. It seems nasty.
I have to say that I am baffled - sure there are plenty of critics of Caymus - but there are plenty of people who love it, and many positive reviews. So, if this is a great wine, why can't I taste it? It seems artificial, like candy, reminds me of Layer Cake Shiraz reds, of Meoimi Pinot Noir, and Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise. It can't be as simple as "its a faecal wine."
I'm still in the hotel room, now with a 2015 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy, which at 17% alcohol tastes more balanced, natural, and whilst very much a fruit bomb, doesn't taste confected or unnatural. My glass of Caymus sits unfinished and I think ill give the remainder of the bottle to someone else to finish. Bottom line - whilst I cant drink Caymus, I wonder if its actually an amazing wine that just isn't compatible with my palate. I would sooner drink an $8 bottle of Honoro Vera Monastrell than another $80 Caymus.
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2019 Hennepin Lake Charity Event (Minneapolis, MN): A slam dunk for worst wine of the year. Brown sugar! This could have passed for a cheap port. The last several vintages of this wine seem like the wine maker for Prisoner wines is at the helm. Comment if they are. No balance and no acidity.
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Wine is young. Tried out of the bottle but then again after 4+ hours. Lots of alcohol on the nose. Good blend of fruit, earth and tannis. Good finish and overall got better in the glass. I feel like it needs a little more time. Will try other bottles again in 2-4 years.
Drinking ok but slightly closed. May benefit from another couple years in the bottle. Oak and cassis on the nose and palate but not much else going on right now. Rating on potential.
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Had another glass of this, same bottle that was opened for a day and it definitely improved, wry new world as you’d expect from this producer but a more velvety texture and bigger expression of fruit without being gobby. 92-93
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rather disappointing. artificially vanilla flavored, but smooth. enjoyed one glass with those limitations, but then it became boring. drinkable, but no complexity depth or interest at all, hence overpriced at $100/liter. will not buy again soon. not recommended unless you know you like this type of wine.
This may be exactly what a Caymus drinker is looking for, whereas I have seldom had this wine before. If you like oaky strong simple california wine, this may appeal, but if you like old world wines like chateau lagrange, or barbi brunello, I don't think you will like this.
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Sweet black cherry, ripe raspberry, milk chocolate, currants, clove, vanilla, spice box, black tea, violets, great balance, very smooth like silk, has some flatness in the mid palate but it’s still very good.
I've been previously consistently disappointed with Caymus wines but this bottle was pretty good and the best that I have had. Clear and deep red in colour with a nose and flavors of dark berries and a hint of oak. The tannins and acidity levels were all in balance.
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This bottle was opened at home and drank without decanting. The wine was clear and mid deep garnet red in colour with a nose of ripe cherries. When I tasted it, there were flavours of dark berries, blackcurrant and a hint of oak. The wine didn't have a long finish and had a slight sour aftertaste at the end. Both the acidity and tannins were surprisingly light for such a youthful wine.
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Praelum - American Beauties (Praelum Wine Bistro): Acidic, some tannins, straightforward, uber-fruity to the point of sweet. Mainly of sweet raisins, orange blossoms, and rose. Zinfandel-like. A no-brainer that this is one of the more popular ones in this tasting, but i prefer a better balance, and not tip the scales in terms of fruitiness
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A of blackberry, maraschino cherry, currant and plum. Flavors of blackberry, black cherry, currant and plum. Ends with a plummy finish of 30 seconds. This pushes ripeness to the extreme, just like the 2012. Only had a glass but curious my reaction to drinking a whole bottle.
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Aromas of pencil shavings, violets, smoke and chamomile. Extraordinary velvety tannins and elegant mouthfeel make this juice a joy to drink. Raspberry preserves, cassis, dark cherry, black currant, and anise. A lush balanced wine should stand tall for a while. 94 points.
Caymus is one of the most consistent tasting wines I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of. For a cab, it’s very fruit forward and opens up quiet a bit, even when young.
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Consistent year after year with the same expression of blackberry and vanilla infused liquid crack cocaine to appeal to the new world palate for instant gratification.
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Glass with dinner at the Metropolitan Grill, Springfield. Apart from disparaging the formula for success and the mass production of the juice, there is an element of consistency that Caymus cabernet lovers have come to expect year after year. Personally, the slightly sweet, black and blue fruit dominated, rich body and minimal tannin wine really hit the spot with dinner but I did not feel motivated to order a second glass. I understand the love/hate relationship wine lovers have with this label. Enjoyed the wine. It really is captivating, yet, my taste in cabernet rests elsewhere.
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Yes, Caymus makes Cabernets, and I typically enjoy them. This bottle, which has no hard ages, and an enjoyable full body, has obvious residual sugar - at least from what my palate tells me. Sorry, it’s not my bag, even though the finish is long and there’s dark fruit, along with cassis. Drink 2020 - 2027.
Is it just me, or did you also feel that 2016 vin has a strong taste of red fruits (tasted like raspberry to me) than the previous vintages (2012-2015)? I liked Caymus because it tasted majorly like black fruits with a touch of dry finish, but 2016 just reminded me Prisoner, sweet raspberry jam. 2016 is definitely a negative outlier.
Nose of cherries. Deep ruby color. Not much on complexity but a total fruit bomb! Soft, mellow, and medium bodied. Full of cherries, berries, plums and hint of citrus. If you like fruit forward wine this is for you!
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Unimpressed. We paid $185 for this wine at a restaurant. Big mistake. The wine was flat and lacked layers and complexity. The nose was reasonably good but the fruit overpowered the taste at the start. And there really was no discernible finish. I haven’t had Caymus in a few years. This was nothing like the wonderful Caymus Cabs I remember. Very disappointed.
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Too much. Over extracted, over oaked, and way too sweet. Very easy to pound but a complete spoof of even what Napa Cabernet should be. Nonetheless I knew what I was getting into and it was delicious with to drink as a cocktail, appetizer or desert wine. Unfortunately the integrity of this wine has really tanked ever since 2011.
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Since some people on here don't take comments on their comments, I'll add another comment of my own on my previous comment, for good measure. My score on this wine STARTED at the pnp at 92. The wine DEVOLVED considerably over time to where it finished at an 82. I make no 'assassination' attempts on anyone. I report what I find and I'm man enough to open my comments to comments and am willing to discuss with anyone. I doubt that my one review is going to put any dent in the fine Wagner machine. Though this is THE most mass produced and overpriced juice in the industry today, IMO. Drink what you like. This, I don't like. Same goes for The Prisoner. Dave Phinney got great grapes and made a helluva zin blend when he had it but once production went from 25,000 to 125,000 cases with the new owners and new grapes, it never resembled the original wine. Yet, people still drink it by the bucketloads, just because of the name. If you like it drink it, but I've got one bottle of it left as I do the Caymus and they are both going to be gifted to someone down the line.
Super dark with long legs and a velvety mouth feel. Lots of juicy goodness, but the right amount of tannic structure to eliminate any cloying sweetness. Soft chalky finish that allowed just a hint of jam to linger.
I feel like some other reviews of this wine are clear assassination attempts. I don't know what someone has to be drinking to rate this bottle at 75, or even 82. That seems clearly out of the range of reality.
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Quite dark purple red; lovely fresh blackcurrant nose with some vanilla; soft silky mellow chocolate, lots of fruit, young age shows; really well made, tasting very good now with lots of berries, also boding well for the future
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This is one of those love it or list it wines that is very popular and always in the top quantities here on cellar tracker. For my wife and I....we Love it! Albeit a steep price and maybe not the best QPR - but the 2016 is up there with past vintages and won't disappoint if your a Caymus fan!
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I didn't know what to expect with the tasting notes being so varied from hate it to love it. The wine has a near purple color out of the bottle with very long legs. A strong nose and taste of berries. A fantastic wine in my book. I fall into the love it category. The price does not allow it as an everyday drink, but for special occasions this is on the list. Looking forward to letting one or two age for a few years.
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P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by just a TOUCH of astringent pucker which QUITE resolves by the LONG, pleasantly balanced finish with a DISTINCT swtness to the dusty tannins. For now & through '21, + MIGHT improve a tad for a few mos. 14.6% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, arguably the lower for QPR since, even with the Napa AVA, one SHOULD be able to obtain a similarly styled C.S. for ~ 1/2 the price. (E.g., Freemark Abbey's C.S., or for that matter, their Merlot, which should be avail @ ~ 1/3 the price of a Caymus C.S.) [This vendor's $75.99 puts it in the top quartile of wine-searcher's MASSIVE posting.]
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(Note:this first part was written before much time had passed) This is some lighter weight juice, not much depth but a winning formula with lots of cherry on entry with a bit of a candied cherry nose. Oak and tannins are perfect right now for a very drinkable porch pounder or in my case a jacuzzi pounder along with a nice cheese plate and my wife........not necessarily in that order. 90-92 for starters.
Ps...addendum 1-2 hours later.....disappointing. I'm giving it an 88 now. It's not measurably better than a $20 bottle of Freakshow. Not any deeper or more complex either. This is the most popular kid at the Snowball Dance, who it turns out really doesn't have any dance moves.......can't believe people pay what they pay for this stuff. Why? Just goes to show you what name recognition does for a business. I might as well be drinking a pitcher of Kool-Aid.
6-8 hours in.....even worse, as someone on here commented, like the old Cheracol cough syrup. Yuk! Final score 82. And not a penny more. Now, who can I give my other bottle to???
I have not been a fan of this style of wine but see the appeal that makes this wine popular. However, the '16 I found too be such an exaggeration of that style as to be undrinkable.
A sappy, sweet texture and an artificial, cough syrup finish. I have never had a Caymus Cabernet this bad. Would never serve it to my guests.
Campus Chuck, Charles, & Jenny with.Karen MacNeil: Color: medium burgundy Nose: some rubbery oak upon served, then a bit on the red fruit side. Taste: balance red and black fruit, Tannin: soft and silky, kind of surprise it is softer then the Emmylou merlot. Finish: not very long.
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4/2/2024 - Desert One Likes this wine: 90 Points
A bit of fruit on the nose. Plum, dates, medium finish.
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3/31/2024 - Chipa Likes this wine: 88 Points
A little too much fruit forward but good with food.
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3/24/2024 - G1027 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Smooth, almost syrupy. Nice Cab but unusual. Doesn’t really have the Napa snap that you usually get in a higher end Napa Cab. It might smooth out even more with time, but I’m not sure it will improve in flavor. Just not my style. I won’t buy again for that price point
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3/8/2024 - jocelyng Likes this wine: 95 Points
An over the top cab. Sweet overripe berries. Toasted oak. This is a kind of wine I don’t drink often. For the style, it’s almost perfect. Of course if wine was only this, I would get tired very soon. Once in a while it’s so good with the right food. You smile with each sip, almost guilty of loving it….
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2/5/2024 - Raye wrote: 97 Points
Fruit forward and a blackberry. Good tannins smooth finish.
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1/29/2024 - cacastine Does not like this wine: 84 Points
This wine is not for me. Decent for a braising wine, came across a half case for free. But it tastes artificial almost - so buttery and loaded with baking spice and bruised fruit and totally lacking structure or balance.
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12/26/2023 - Simon Willard wrote:
Barry & Kelly. Delicious.
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11/12/2023 - artblue2004 wrote: 91 Points
Meh. Many better QPR options in this price range.
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9/24/2023 - Salute Likes this wine: 92 Points
Hey - nice surprise here. Was expecting the super sweet overly extracted Caymus...but got something much more balanced. Quite nice - a bit on the fruity side but very good.
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8/21/2023 - monk1019 wrote: 86 Points
This being a Napa favorite, though very fruit forward, nevertheless, decent with a steak. Note to self not to buy again.
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7/26/2023 - MaherHatchette wrote: 60 Points
This used to be a great wine. For some reason they've made it almost as sweet as port. I give it to my friends who don't like wine and they love it.
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7/16/2023 - Chipa Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Not much of a fan. The comment someone made about being slightly stewed fruits is true and it's a little sweet.
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7/9/2023 - rehulk wrote: 92 Points
great tasting as always
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4/15/2023 - Miceri Likes this wine: 97 Points
Continues to be one of my favourite Napas. Very dark red, really expressive nose filled with licorice, deep dark fruit; smooth - so soft - lots of gentle power, not too much - nice bite in the aftertaste with a pleasant burn; aftertaste goes on and on; candy for adults - oh, and by the way, much better than the Napanook same year higher price, I tasted yesterday
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4/3/2023 - Yack Man wrote: 91 Points
This was I wine that, when I first started drinking Cabs was a favorite. I had a bottle on the rack that was given to me and now it's time to revisit the Caymus Napa Valley. Popped, poured and a blast from the past: A ripe extracted ultra fruity Cab that's very much one dimensional for me, but a wine that will please the crowd at a party. Initially, there was a discernable green/ vegetal aspect that subsided with some air. A drinkable wine, but If given a choice and for the price point, there are better options for me. I have enjoyed their SS (the 2012 was very good), but that label is not what it use to be. From about 2013 vintage, to date the SS is now overpriced for what it is. This 2016 NV is 90/91 Points. It's not a bad wine but it's not for me.
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1/1/2023 - Bill1100 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Gift from client
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12/9/2022 - WineKnut wrote: 87 Points
So much has been said about Caymus. The good, the bad and the ugly. This bottle is consistent with all the traits that make this wine so divisive. It's very ripe and slightly sweet as expected, but why does that make some people so angry?
On day 1 the nose was open, primarily dark fruited and heavily barrel seasoned. Palate confirmed nose with some lift on the finish and fairly resolved tannins. Slightly stewed fruits... Finish is medium with the slight sweetness fading.
By day 2 the nose is pruned and stewed. Palate followed in suit as expected. Was quite easy drinking given the lack of grip. Still way off balance compared to what I prefer to drink, but not enough to piss me off. Finish consistent with day 1.
I would say drink up as the lack of structure suggests little chance for improvement. Or better yet, pour this for people who aren't so easily offended. They might think it's the greatest wine they have ever tasted.
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11/24/2022 - E719fc Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow, this is really good a little sweet but a wonderful wine had with thanksgiving dinner and smoked turkey.
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11/15/2022 - winelover1808 Likes this wine: 93 Points
fun, sweet, almost a tinge dessert wine like but a great CA cab with a NY steak. def crowd pleaser. this went down very smoothly and almost too fast
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11/12/2022 - gstutz Does not like this wine:
Not my style. Jammy and too sweet.
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10/15/2022 - Ricktim Likes this wine:
Dried leather, dried fruit
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9/25/2022 - Colorado3G Likes this wine: 92 Points
This vintage is performing very well and consistent, other years not so much. We had this with pre-cooked Costco ribs and it paired wonderfully with the ribs and seasoning.
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8/25/2022 - Iron Byron Likes this wine: 95 Points
Exceptional, perfectly balanced.
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5/1/2022 - Wine Life Elevated wrote:
Hubby likes , steady but not spectacular.
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2/6/2022 - Beezc wrote:
Opened for some company. Did not consume any and not a fan of this wine.
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11/12/2021 - comlaw Likes this wine: 93 Points
Liter bottle. Decanted for 60 minutes. A big wine with strong tannins, dark fruit, some leather and tobacco, long finish. Tannins mellowed and wine opened up after a couple of hours, at which point it also gained complexity. Definitely could use more aging.
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10/31/2021 - Colorado3G Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking nicely - a little bit of air helps.
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10/14/2021 - KTelaak_Buffalo Likes this wine: 90 Points
The 2016 is now a general crowd pleasing wine. I'd drink now. I don't think this has the characteristics of a long cellaring wine. Super fruit forward and almost sweet tasting. Some backbone that made it interesting enough.
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6/27/2021 - Miceri Likes this wine: 97 Points
Dark red; very intense nose, dark berries, blackberries; sweet soft nice attack, very good balance held up with good / sufficient acidity, mild tannins; sweet, broad, really nicely tasting
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6/17/2021 - Rossdhu House Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Next to no bouquet. Minimal nose which is disappointing and quite sweet. Tannins are muted at best. Pretty sweet. Could have mistaken it for a port.
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6/13/2021 - 22Flat wrote:
Ages very well. Has lost that “sweetness “ of Caymus. More like the special select.
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5/31/2021 - socidelvino Likes this wine: 90 Points
Eye: deep purple color, long legs in the glass. Nose: dark cherries, forest fragrance, note of cocoa. Palate: slightly jammy, dark berry flavor, full mouthfeel, good structure - still young, long finish.
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4/23/2021 - Chef419 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Aromas of dark cherries, blackberry, chocolate and cedar.
On the palate, ripe dark berries and black cherry with hints of leather and graphite. Medium+ body with medium velvety tannins and medium+ acidity. Long finish with notes of cedar and cocoa.
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4/17/2021 - Vino Loco wrote: 89 Points
$20 - $40 - $60 - $80: Lariana Cab from BC and 3 Cali Cabs: Tasted blind. Dark crimson colour, benign nose. Not much in the way of tannins, and little complexity. Kept searching for fruits to distinguish it from the other wines we were tasting. It's an unmemorable wine. At this price point, it makes no sense whatsoever, and will not buy again.
Had with a BC Cabernet, and J'Lohr and Austin Hope. The Caymus came in 2nd in the tasting behind the BC Cabernet from Lariana. If you factor in value, it was clearly 4th place.
Taste:
1. Lariana
2. Caymus
3. Austin Hope
4. J'Lohr
Value:
1. Lariana ($40 ish)
2. J'Lohr ($20 ish)
3. Austin Hope ($60 ish)
4. Caymus ($80 ish)
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4/16/2021 - Wwinowillie wrote: 88 Points
A much maligned wine, some of it legitimate but probably past the point of fairness
It’s a very dark purple color
Nose: sage, cedar, baking spice: cinnamon vanilla, definitely a grape juice presence also. Slight mint leaf.
Kind of a juicy mouthfeel and dried fruit and kind of a raisin/prune aftertaste. Faded vanilla is pretty prominent. Not much tannin, dryness is pretty underwhelming. Can definitely taste the grape juice, it’s overly sweet and has a light syrup quality to it as well. Kind of hate to compare it to grape cough medicine, but...kind of fits on a low scale.
It’s not bad, but it’s not good.
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3/27/2021 - Harborhounds wrote: 92 Points
Strong jammy up front, oaky vanilla aftertaste-
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2/13/2021 - Kellig Likes this wine: 93 Points
Full depth of flavor showed up after at least an hour of decanting. Was too tight before then.
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1/23/2021 - AP MD Likes this wine: 94 Points
Hints of chocolate and mocha with leather. Tannins were initially harsh then mellowed over 2 hours slightly. Needs another 5 years or so IMHO. Will likely be good then. Rating reflects future.
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1/11/2021 - Wwinowillie Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really liked the ‘16 first time I tried it, last bottle not so much. I know many people hate this wine, I’m excited to try it again and see.
Very dark purple
Nose: chocolate syrup, distant sweetness, worn leather, rolling tobacco, oak and cedar, graphite, berry mix. A pretty subtle nose overall.
Milky kind of light-medium body, a little dry, finish wasn’t overly impressive. Though it is pretty layered and presents black tea and cacao, chocolate syrup, toasted vanilla. Does seem to be kind of lacking some balance. Fruit is definitely there also.
Definitely improving with time...
I do like this wine.
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1/3/2021 - Red Devils Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid Caymus. Same as previous 2-3 years.
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12/27/2020 - Booger’s Wine Likes this wine: 88 Points
A solid cab. Strong jammy fruit up front with a hit of chocolate, but not much of a finish.
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12/25/2020 - bryon m wrote: 93 Points
Good Color, body and clarity. This is drinking at it's prime - lots of complexity from start to end. Good fruit, lots of oak and the vanilla finish lasts a long time! .
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12/23/2020 - HorstPeak Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fruit bomb, Jennifer’s birthday
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11/28/2020 - Miceri Likes this wine: 95 Points
US cab “tasting” with fondue; Corison 16, Caymus 16, Dunn 15; all well balanced, smooth and approachable; Corison a “crowd pleaser” with chocolate; Caymus same level but more on the licorice side; Dunn the “weakest”, a bit dull in comparison
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11/26/2020 - TanyaLynn wrote: 100 Points
Tannin/acid forward, notes of cherry, smooth finish
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11/26/2020 - pleigh Likes this wine: 90 Points
Magnum. Thanksgiving. Consistent.
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11/21/2020 - WineCenturyAZ Likes this wine: 90 Points
Delicious. Deep ruby in the glass purple teeth staining goodness, classic CA fruit driven style, nose invites with black fruits berry and wood, palate is dry and all about ripe juicy black cherry, plum, cassis, baking spice, cedar makes an appearance but does not overpower, tannins are silky, finish goes on. Yummy.
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9/29/2020 - Bobcat 31 Likes this wine: 91 Points
was very well received at our dinner party. Did not need decanting
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9/4/2020 - C&Ccellar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Black fruit, pine needles
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8/14/2020 - the_curries Does not like this wine:
I am not an expert but I know that this wine is not worth the money. Dry yes but fruit flavors too strong making the wine almost syrupy.
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7/16/2020 - Wwinowillie Likes this wine: 90 Points
Beautiful purple with red hue
Nose: vanilla, allspice, strong minerality, pine, mint & sweet spring flowers
Smooth and milky, ripe blackberry, and nice dry lasting finish with toasted caramel and vanilla. Black tea this has a lot of minerality. Not quite as good as I remembered but this could be going through a phase of aging. When I had it last I absolutely loved it so I will be patient.
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7/7/2020 - dariuskoenig Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted 2.5 hours. Really pronounced aged balsamic notes, syrupy, high glycerin content/legs. That said, it wasn't cloyingly sweet and there were sufficient tannins to offset the fruit-forward nature. Went well with hanger steak, French lentil meal. It was very palatable right out of the bottle but the decant helped bring out the nose and length on the back end. Doesn't perform to its price point but since I received it as a gift, irrelevant to me.
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6/22/2020 - Kenny_Powers Likes this wine: 90 Points
I will let this sit another couple years. Still a little tight despite two hours decanting.
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5/31/2020 - winecoffee wrote: 88 Points
Good wine, but very young. Needs to age at least 10 years.
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5/8/2020 - WineLover6874 wrote:
Delicious
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4/17/2020 - bryon m wrote: 92 Points
Good color, body and clarity. Upfront smooth and easy with berries then middle to end a combination of vanilla, cedar and fruit. The finish is Very nice and last for a while.
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4/4/2020 - Gvas491 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Smooth so far my fave
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3/23/2020 - BigAngryWino wrote:
Bottle was a little funky
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3/9/2020 - Plabella Likes this wine: 90 Points
If you like wines that are big without pretense to discover this wine is for you.
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2/29/2020 - lgermain wrote: 92 Points
Steak Dinner at Cobblestone
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2/21/2020 - SMaiworm wrote: 70 Points
Too fruit forward. No bite. Nothing special about it.
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2/16/2020 - Catina Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Deep purple. Overpowering blackcurrant/cassis on the nose and taste. Syrupy and sweet. Medium acidity. Very short finish. No depth or finesse. Like drinking blackcurrant syrup neat. Way over priced. Avoid.
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2/14/2020 - Croatbag wrote: 89 Points
I've had a couple vintages of Caymus now and I don't really get all the hype, but also don't get all the hate to it as well. The wine is good, but just nowhere near worth what they are charging for it IMHO. I don't see the super fruit forward jammy fruitbomb feedback that alot of people write. There is some fruit there, but to me fruit forward fruitbomb is more in line with a Venge Scout, Austin Hope or a Rombauer Zinfandel, those are all actually delicious if you like the heavy fruit forward wine. This leans more to the dry side and you won't regret that you drank it, but also I never thought hey I need to get some more bottles.
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1/4/2020 - Martnmac wrote: 92 Points
Never disappoints
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12/29/2019 - Conor_krauss wrote:
Dad
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12/29/2019 - Conor_krauss wrote:
Michael Panella
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12/29/2019 - Conor_krauss Likes this wine: 95 Points
Excellent, stock up on 2016
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12/24/2019 - Cailles wrote: 87 Points
Informal dinner, no detailed notes. Not really my cup of tea as I find it clearly too ripe and sweet. In 2016, nature would have provided the vintners with ideal conditions to keep the ripeness and sweetness better in check and the wines structured and fresh.
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12/14/2019 - DakotaBob2020 Likes this wine:
Love it
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12/12/2019 - Saferiat Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not as good as other vintages, but still very good.
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11/9/2019 - RockyII Likes this wine: 90 Points
30 minute decant out to dinner at Racks in Delray. Deep semi opaque eggplant purple with a magenta rim. Been awhile since I had a Caymus. It’s a nice wine with a big flavor punch of ripe plum, vanilla and black cherry but definitely on the sweet side with heavy flavor of creme brûlée sugar crust (burnt sugar). Not enough tannins or acidity to hold the sweetness in check. Medium plus body. About 90-91 but a pretty poor QPR, so going with 90.
It did improve on 2nd day with less sweetness and some smokey charcoal notes so I recommend a long decant if drink now.
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11/4/2019 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 85 Points
This has aged terribly in only 1 year. Even more spoofed than it was before. Like drinking chocolate syrup mixed with cassis liqueur. No structure whatsoever and no food pairing that could possibly work.
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11/4/2019 - Alongfield Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid. Not super interesting, but what you would expect. Can’t complain.
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10/20/2019 - Rickyd007 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow amazing...
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10/18/2019 - alohashirt Does not like this wine: 84 Points
OMFG - I waited eight years to taste this wine, and I'm very surprised by the reality vs the reviews ...
Why did I have high expectations? We all have preferred styles. Me, I like bright, clean whites, and big, fruit forward, highly alcoholic red wines. The reds that I love get criticized by some people who use similar terminology to those who diss Caymus, so I guessed that Caymus might share some characteristics of the wines that I love - wines like Clio, like Mollydooker's Blue Eyed By, like Penfolds Bin 389, Turley Zinfandels, even Martinelli Zinfandels with 17% alcohol.
So I'm browsing through an unfamiliar wine store in an unfamiliar town and, for the first time, saw half-bottles of Caymus 2016 for $49. I had intended to try this wine for eight or ten years, but never got around to spending $90 on a gamble. I bought the half-bottle, and a few other familiar reds at the same time. Just got to my hotel room in time to watch UFC and open the Caymus ...
The wine is very dark purple, 14.7% alcohol, medium viscosity, with aromas of red fruit, vanilla, cough syrup. As soon as it touched my tongue I tasted sugar - not red fruit, just plain sucrose. I had an instantaneous emotional reaction - fear. I didn't want to let this wine go anywhere near the back of my mouth. It reminded me of my reaction when I tried Durian fruit ice-cream. I was afraid that I would gag as it went down. I swallowed it, and went "blech". I want to understand this wine, so I took another sip and forced myself to swish it around my mouth. It seems nasty.
I have to say that I am baffled - sure there are plenty of critics of Caymus - but there are plenty of people who love it, and many positive reviews. So, if this is a great wine, why can't I taste it? It seems artificial, like candy, reminds me of Layer Cake Shiraz reds, of Meoimi Pinot Noir, and Chronic Cellars Purple Paradise. It can't be as simple as "its a faecal wine."
I'm still in the hotel room, now with a 2015 Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy, which at 17% alcohol tastes more balanced, natural, and whilst very much a fruit bomb, doesn't taste confected or unnatural. My glass of Caymus sits unfinished and I think ill give the remainder of the bottle to someone else to finish. Bottom line - whilst I cant drink Caymus, I wonder if its actually an amazing wine that just isn't compatible with my palate. I would sooner drink an $8 bottle of Honoro Vera Monastrell than another $80 Caymus.
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10/14/2019 - KWV KID wrote:
Very smooth and silky
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10/10/2019 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 78 Points
2019 Hennepin Lake Charity Event (Minneapolis, MN): A slam dunk for worst wine of the year. Brown sugar! This could have passed for a cheap port. The last several vintages of this wine seem like the wine maker for Prisoner wines is at the helm. Comment if they are. No balance and no acidity.
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10/6/2019 - Alongfield Likes this wine: 94 Points
Super rich and ripe. Almost manufactured to taste, but if it tastes good, why not?
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9/24/2019 - wineotim wrote: 91 Points
Needs a lot of air time, I nursed this over three days. It tastes like a modern day Caymus, you know what I mean. The formula is there.
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9/11/2019 - KTelaak_Buffalo Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wine is young. Tried out of the bottle but then again after 4+ hours. Lots of alcohol on the nose. Good blend of fruit, earth and tannis. Good finish and overall got better in the glass. I feel like it needs a little more time. Will try other bottles again in 2-4 years.
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8/21/2019 - Scar510 wrote: 87 Points
Wasn’t very good. Would not buy again. Lava lava beach club.
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8/11/2019 - Twopawsup Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking ok but slightly closed. May benefit from another couple years in the bottle. Oak and cassis on the nose and palate but not much else going on right now. Rating on potential.
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7/18/2019 - pakabear Likes this wine:
Had another glass of this, same bottle that was opened for a day and it definitely improved, wry new world as you’d expect from this producer but a more velvety texture and bigger expression of fruit without being gobby. 92-93
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7/17/2019 - mathwonk wrote:
rather disappointing. artificially vanilla flavored, but smooth. enjoyed one glass with those limitations, but then it became boring. drinkable, but no complexity depth or interest at all, hence overpriced at $100/liter. will not buy again soon. not recommended unless you know you like this type of wine.
This may be exactly what a Caymus drinker is looking for, whereas I have seldom had this wine before. If you like oaky strong simple california wine, this may appeal, but if you like old world wines like chateau lagrange, or barbi brunello, I don't think you will like this.
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7/14/2019 - pakabear wrote: 92 Points
Sweet black cherry, ripe raspberry, milk chocolate, currants, clove, vanilla, spice box, black tea, violets, great balance, very smooth like silk, has some flatness in the mid palate but it’s still very good.
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6/30/2019 - Rosengoo wrote: 91 Points
I've been previously consistently disappointed with Caymus wines but this bottle was pretty good and the best that I have had. Clear and deep red in colour with a nose and flavors of dark berries and a hint of oak. The tannins and acidity levels were all in balance.
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6/30/2019 - mats13 Likes this wine: 94 Points
The usual excellence from Caymus.
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6/29/2019 - bubbachumps wrote: 90 Points
As expected. A cabernet cocktail, but not offensive. Style is certainly not for everyone but there is a purity of fruit to this offering.
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6/16/2019 - Rosengoo wrote: 87 Points
This bottle was opened at home and drank without decanting. The wine was clear and mid deep garnet red in colour with a nose of ripe cherries. When I tasted it, there were flavours of dark berries, blackcurrant and a hint of oak. The wine didn't have a long finish and had a slight sour aftertaste at the end. Both the acidity and tannins were surprisingly light for such a youthful wine.
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6/1/2019 - vinhonotte wrote: 89 Points
Praelum - American Beauties (Praelum Wine Bistro): Acidic, some tannins, straightforward, uber-fruity to the point of sweet. Mainly of sweet raisins, orange blossoms, and rose. Zinfandel-like. A no-brainer that this is one of the more popular ones in this tasting, but i prefer a better balance, and not tip the scales in terms of fruitiness
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5/21/2019 - sachsmart Likes this wine: 98 Points
Beautiful mouthful. Black berries and oak. Very smooth. Loved it.
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5/19/2019 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 93 Points
A of blackberry, maraschino cherry, currant and plum. Flavors of blackberry, black cherry, currant and plum. Ends with a plummy finish of 30 seconds. This pushes ripeness to the extreme, just like the 2012. Only had a glass but curious my reaction to drinking a whole bottle.
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5/5/2019 - Kenryuu Likes this wine: 92 Points
香り高く甘みも感じる
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4/18/2019 - CoryDean44 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Aromas of pencil shavings, violets, smoke and chamomile. Extraordinary velvety tannins and elegant mouthfeel make this juice a joy to drink. Raspberry preserves, cassis, dark cherry, black currant, and anise. A lush balanced wine should stand tall for a while. 94 points.
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4/13/2019 - jrtaylor Likes this wine: 91 Points
Caymus is one of the most consistent tasting wines I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of. For a cab, it’s very fruit forward and opens up quiet a bit, even when young.
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4/6/2019 - LiteItOnFire wrote: 89 Points
PnP this wine is being made to appeal to the masses. Same thoughts vs notes apply. Not for me but is a for sure goto in a mixed setting.
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3/28/2019 - Alongfield Likes this wine: 92 Points
While consistent year after year, I feel this year is more fruit up front and bit less tannin in the back. Nonetheless, very enjoyable.
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3/17/2019 - PreinerFamily Likes this wine:
Delicious! No need to decant...
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3/13/2019 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Consistent year after year with the same expression of blackberry and vanilla infused liquid crack cocaine to appeal to the new world palate for instant gratification.
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3/1/2019 - Tahlequahdave1972 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Glass with dinner at the Metropolitan Grill, Springfield. Apart from disparaging the formula for success and the mass production of the juice, there is an element of consistency that Caymus cabernet lovers have come to expect year after year. Personally, the slightly sweet, black and blue fruit dominated, rich body and minimal tannin wine really hit the spot with dinner but I did not feel motivated to order a second glass. I understand the love/hate relationship wine lovers have with this label. Enjoyed the wine. It really is captivating, yet, my taste in cabernet rests elsewhere.
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2/24/2019 - 9 and 3/4 Likes this wine: 94 Points
I like this wine, smiles all around. Yet should hold for another year or two.
No ITB conspiracy here to bring a wine style up or down.
Caymus may have a huge production and somewhat of a formula...but it works among friends who love a "cocktail wine"
The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Give me the Caymus please.
Fun!
Stay positive folks
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2/20/2019 - Matt Scott wrote: 87 Points
Yes, Caymus makes Cabernets, and I typically enjoy them. This bottle, which has no hard ages, and an enjoyable full body, has obvious residual sugar - at least from what my palate tells me. Sorry, it’s not my bag, even though the finish is long and there’s dark fruit, along with cassis. Drink 2020 - 2027.
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2/19/2019 - DanteW wrote:
Still young. Looking forward to it in 2022
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2/18/2019 - Kathydrinks Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Is it just me, or did you also feel that 2016 vin has a strong taste of red fruits (tasted like raspberry to me) than the previous vintages (2012-2015)? I liked Caymus because it tasted majorly like black fruits with a touch of dry finish, but 2016 just reminded me Prisoner, sweet raspberry jam. 2016 is definitely a negative outlier.
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2/5/2019 - Seirra79 Likes this wine: 100 Points
One of the best red wines we’ve had. Soo much berry flavor. No tanins. Smooth and delicious.
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2/2/2019 - esw423 Likes this wine: 91 Points
1 hr decant. Paired with homemade BBQ brisket. Has a wonderful soft texture and big fruit. Enjoyable but glad I didn’t buy it...
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2/1/2019 - Robwild Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose of cherries. Deep ruby color. Not much on complexity but a total fruit bomb! Soft, mellow, and medium bodied. Full of cherries, berries, plums and hint of citrus. If you like fruit forward wine this is for you!
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1/26/2019 - RCNordy wrote: 88 Points
Unimpressed. We paid $185 for this wine at a restaurant. Big mistake. The wine was flat and lacked layers and complexity. The nose was reasonably good but the fruit overpowered the taste at the start. And there really was no discernible finish. I haven’t had Caymus in a few years. This was nothing like the wonderful Caymus Cabs I remember. Very disappointed.
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1/18/2019 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 90 Points
Too much. Over extracted, over oaked, and way too sweet. Very easy to pound but a complete spoof of even what Napa Cabernet should be. Nonetheless I knew what I was getting into and it was delicious with to drink as a cocktail, appetizer or desert wine. Unfortunately the integrity of this wine has really tanked ever since 2011.
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1/13/2019 - jgreco Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely perfumed black fruit on the nose and palate. Long sweet finish. This was ready to drink after a splash decant.
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1/13/2019 - TinkerDrinker Does not like this wine:
This is a concentrated cab per its label which makes it heavy. Also, too sweet.
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1/4/2019 - Mark1npt Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Since some people on here don't take comments on their comments, I'll add another comment of my own on my previous comment, for good measure. My score on this wine STARTED at the pnp at 92. The wine DEVOLVED considerably over time to where it finished at an 82. I make no 'assassination' attempts on anyone. I report what I find and I'm man enough to open my comments to comments and am willing to discuss with anyone. I doubt that my one review is going to put any dent in the fine Wagner machine. Though this is THE most mass produced and overpriced juice in the industry today, IMO. Drink what you like. This, I don't like. Same goes for The Prisoner. Dave Phinney got great grapes and made a helluva zin blend when he had it but once production went from 25,000 to 125,000 cases with the new owners and new grapes, it never resembled the original wine. Yet, people still drink it by the bucketloads, just because of the name. If you like it drink it, but I've got one bottle of it left as I do the Caymus and they are both going to be gifted to someone down the line.
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12/31/2018 - PolyTek Likes this wine: 92 Points
Super dark with long legs and a velvety mouth feel. Lots of juicy goodness, but the right amount of tannic structure to eliminate any cloying sweetness. Soft chalky finish that allowed just a hint of jam to linger.
I feel like some other reviews of this wine are clear assassination attempts. I don't know what someone has to be drinking to rate this bottle at 75, or even 82. That seems clearly out of the range of reality.
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12/31/2018 - agesdiner Likes this wine: 96 Points
Black berry soft fruity nose. Soft tannins. Smooth. Opens into a spectacular wine.
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12/28/2018 - Miceri Likes this wine: 95 Points
Quite dark purple red; lovely fresh blackcurrant nose with some vanilla; soft silky mellow chocolate, lots of fruit, young age shows; really well made, tasting very good now with lots of berries, also boding well for the future
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12/25/2018 - Colorado3G Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is one of those love it or list it wines that is very popular and always in the top quantities here on cellar tracker. For my wife and I....we Love it! Albeit a steep price and maybe not the best QPR - but the 2016 is up there with past vintages and won't disappoint if your a Caymus fan!
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12/14/2018 - mlutsky67 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I didn't know what to expect with the tasting notes being so varied from hate it to love it. The wine has a near purple color out of the bottle with very long legs. A strong nose and taste of berries. A fantastic wine in my book. I fall into the love it category. The price does not allow it as an everyday drink, but for special occasions this is on the list. Looking forward to letting one or two age for a few years.
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12/8/2018 - srh wrote:
Big Gun Cabernet Sauvignon/Bordeaux Blends Tasting (7/9 CA from Napa, + 1 WA) (San Diego Wine Co.): N: CLOSED, but SEEMS *ripe* with pyrazines
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by just a TOUCH of astringent pucker which QUITE resolves by the LONG, pleasantly balanced finish with a DISTINCT swtness to the dusty tannins. For now & through '21, + MIGHT improve a tad for a few mos. 14.6% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, arguably the lower for QPR since, even with the Napa AVA, one SHOULD be able to obtain a similarly styled C.S. for ~ 1/2 the price. (E.g., Freemark Abbey's C.S., or for that matter, their Merlot, which should be avail @ ~ 1/3 the price of a Caymus C.S.) [This vendor's $75.99 puts it in the top quartile of wine-searcher's MASSIVE posting.]
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12/8/2018 - Mark1npt Does not like this wine: 82 Points
(Note:this first part was written before much time had passed) This is some lighter weight juice, not much depth but a winning formula with lots of cherry on entry with a bit of a candied cherry nose. Oak and tannins are perfect right now for a very drinkable porch pounder or in my case a jacuzzi pounder along with a nice cheese plate and my wife........not necessarily in that order. 90-92 for starters.
Ps...addendum 1-2 hours later.....disappointing. I'm giving it an 88 now. It's not measurably better than a $20 bottle of Freakshow. Not any deeper or more complex either. This is the most popular kid at the Snowball Dance, who it turns out really doesn't have any dance moves.......can't believe people pay what they pay for this stuff. Why? Just goes to show you what name recognition does for a business. I might as well be drinking a pitcher of Kool-Aid.
6-8 hours in.....even worse, as someone on here commented, like the old Cheracol cough syrup. Yuk! Final score 82. And not a penny more. Now, who can I give my other bottle to???
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12/1/2018 - TriTex Likes this wine: 92 Points
2nd place at Stewart blind tasting...very good, but young. Opened up over time.
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10/22/2018 - peterjames Does not like this wine: 75 Points
I have not been a fan of this style of wine but see the appeal that makes this wine popular. However, the '16 I found too be such an exaggeration of that style as to be undrinkable.
A sappy, sweet texture and an artificial, cough syrup finish. I have never had a Caymus Cabernet this bad. Would never serve it to my guests.
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9/15/2018 - Jchen01854 wrote:
Campus Chuck, Charles, & Jenny with.Karen MacNeil:
Color: medium burgundy
Nose: some rubbery oak upon served, then a bit on the red fruit side.
Taste: balance red and black fruit,
Tannin: soft and silky, kind of surprise it is softer then the Emmylou merlot.
Finish: not very long.
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8/27/2018 - SlimShaney Likes this wine: 91 Points
Blunt force trauma of marzipan chocolate grape nectar.
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7/5/2018 - Oolivia123 Likes this wine:
Best at caymus
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