6/4/2016 - atwkite Likes this wine:

The 12 is getting better with a little more bottle age, loosing just a touch of the slightly over the top vanilla, and the forward fruit is integrating. Of note, the 07 is really starting to shine as well.

My all time favorites to date remain the 02 SS and the 08, but the 07 and 12 are pulling into a close second tie with the 08.

12/18/2015 - atwkite Likes this wine:

Well, this was the surprise of the night, pop and pour third bottle of the night following a 2013 Schrader RBS and a 2012 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cab, and was the WOTN for me !

Palate was more balanced than the prior two, and had a fabulous silky mouth feel. I was very surprised, as the last time I tried this in 2011 I was very disappointed. Very impressed, I hope the rest of the case drinks as well.

6/24/2014 - atwkite Likes this wine:

Had the 2012 as part of a Caymus vertical which included 2004, 2004 SS, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2012 during a big family get together. I must say I love the New World style and have always been a huge fan of Caymus. The 2012 and 2004 SS were the hands down favorites of most of the crowd, but border on transcending jammy into sweet. I like the vanilla notes (reminds me of Quilceda Creek), but is slightly over done here. That said, this wine and the Wagner products in general tolerate POP incredibly well and are often my go to bottles when bringing wine to restaurants. Love the 1L, perfect size, bought 5 cases!

11/1/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Ok, not great. Little old world, thin, slightly bitter and tannic.

4/21/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Cherry, cranberry and red fruit dominate the nose and front end. An oaky bitterness breaks through mid palate to finish that kept the score a little lower for me, but the balanced acidity was very nice with food.

4/21/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Not flawed, but definitely not as good as other bottles I have had from the same case. As I look back, I think there has been more bottle to bottle variation from this wine than I like to see. This bottle lacked the balance of fruit, oak and tannin that others have had. A bit tart and bitter on the front end without as much dark fruit.

5/21/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Oddly the tannins were a little more dominant mid palate and on the finish than I remember, but still a great bottle of wine. Can easily go another 10 years.

5/19/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Well balanced monster shiraz with loads of dark fruit on the nose and front end. You have to like the style to be happy with this, but I must say I do. Still a touch tart for my taste, but I think will improve with a little more age.

5/19/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Drinking better each year. Black fruit and leather on the nose and front end, good depth but not hyperextracted. Tannin / oak take on a bigger role mid palate to finish, but no longer dominate the show. The wine is really coming together well. There is a unique character to Aussie cabs that I just really like, more muscular than California without being sweet, and no wet farm animal mixed with dirt that pushes through on so many Old World cabs.

5/19/2012 - atwkite wrote:

A bit hedonistic, but wow. Rich dark fruit on the nose and palate with a touch of oak and chocolate. I didn't get the red fruit or cherry that some do, but we didn't decant. The lusciousness continues mid palate and finish with sweet tannin finally showing itself late. I get that many find this too hyperextracted, but I don't. Subtle acidity keeps the palate clean and leads you to the next sip.

4/12/2012 - atwkite wrote:

An oddly Italian styled Napa wine. Earthy nose with light red fruit on the front end and mid palate. A bit tannic and acidic for my taste on the finish, but certainly invites the next sip.

4/15/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Very drinkable and enjoyable wine, basically a toned down version of the fabulous 07 Plumpjack. Mild and somewhat subdued red and black fruit on the nose and front end with hints of leather and vanilla. Sweet tannins and oak quietly enter mid palate and finish, but don't dominate. Drinking well now, nowhere near as tannic as the Plumpjack, which may need 10 more years.

4/15/2012 - atwkite wrote:

I have to say I am winding down to the end of about 5 cases of this wine and my last few bottles have had an annoying sharp tart / acidity on the finish that I don't think was present before. May be a bad case, but I have been more disappointed in this wine lately. The nose, front end and mid palate still display exceptional balance.

3/23/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Hyperextracted and juicy, but markedly dominated by Zin on the nose and palate. Finish lacks a little and develops a slight Zin copper / metallic taste mid to late. Nice wine, but I think this flavor profile can be achieved at a much better QPR. It may need time to blow off some of the fruit and let the structure come through, but very easing drinking and a crowd pleaser.

4/10/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Wow,did this perform well! 1 hr decant and this was just wonderful. Subtle nose of red / black fruit with a hint of earth and oak. Fabulous integration of muted dark fruit, tannin and acidity on the front end and mid palate, delivering just the right balance of fruit and structure. Smooth and delicate on the finish with just a bit of tannin and acidity breaking through. This is classic Phelps, and is drinking better now than a few years ago.

4/2/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Mature with fading fruit on the front end and developing a tartness and acidity mid palate to finish that I don't recall in the past, but could be bottle to bottle variation. I think I need to finish up my stock of this daily drinker.

4/1/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Still drinking so well. Deep rich fruit with exceptional balance for the price. Really is one of my favorite daily drinkers over the past 5 years.

1/25/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Deep, rich, brooding black fruit on the nose with supper smooth entry and mid palate. Thankfully lacks the tartness of many high end Aussie Shiraz. Finish is wonderfully long and balanced with a bit of alcohol and acidity coming through and inducing your next sip. WOTN and just dominated the other bottles on the table, was the last opened and first to go! Can't wait to try the 05 again, as I have felt it was even better than the o6!

1/25/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Nice fruit and balance, really a pleasant wine. Nice light black fruit on the front end, mid palate, and through the finish. Tannin and oak are hidden to nonexistent. Lacks a bit of structure and somewhat monotone, but not flabby. However, I am skeptical about its aging prospects. Unfortunately had it side by side with an 06 Carnival of Love, and it took a backseat on all fronts. Will try again as a stand alone.

1/20/2012 - atwkite wrote:

PNP off the wine list. A bit tight at first, and never developed the depth of dark fruit typical of Altamura. A bit more austere and earthy on the nose and front end. Fruit gains traction mid palate, but yields to the tannins on the finish. Aging may help, but this is not as smooth or rich as the 04, 05, or 07.

1/20/2012 - atwkite wrote:

By the glass at Seasons 52. Really not bad. Dark fruit and a hint of vanilla on the nose, a bit light on the front end and mid palate. Tannins start to dominate the finish, but will probably integrate with a bit more age.

1/16/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Probably over the hill, thin and light red fruit with a little perfume on the nose, definitely a little "feminine". Fruit is even less available on the palate, which becomes dominated by sour at mid palate to finish.
A little hot and acidic as well, really lacks balance.

8/15/2011 - atwkite wrote:

This note is from memory as I review my wines that don't have notes. Got a case of this as a gift and have tried it twice over the last year. This is painfully Old World with dirt, bitter green cedar, restrained fruit and dominant tannins. This is undrinkable in the abscence of food at this point, totally backward and tight despite a 4 hr decant. Really nothing enjoyable at this time, but will save for 5 - 10 yrs down the road.

1/15/2012 - atwkite wrote:

This note is from memory as I review my wines that don't have notes. This was green, backward and tight by memory. Really nothing enjoyable at this time, but will save one for 5 yrs down the road.

1/15/2012 - atwkite wrote:

I am at the end of 5 cases of this wine and can't believe I don't have a note! One of my QPR favs for the last 10 years, shows great balance with rich dark cherry, cedar and leather front end to mid palate with fabulous integration of acid, alcohol, and tanin with the fruit. A really great wine, definitely some bottle to bottle variation with a few tart bottles, but on the whole very consistent. Wish I had more, down to my last one!

1/14/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Consistent, rich, and remains wonderfully balanced. Opened at Eric's asnd shared with him and a couple of winos at the next table who had 2 Pinots. Eric and Frank were trying to sell me on Pinot and opened 2 of their favs from the wine list as well. Sadly none of the 4 pinots (Selyem, Spector, Siduri, and a 50 case private bottling) came close, they just lacked the depth and balance of the Caymus.

1/14/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Very thin and light. Really lacks depth and nuance, dominated by a single note of Cranberry from start to finish. Balanced, but a bit tart.

1/7/2012 - atwkite wrote:

I am not sure this is wine. Light in color, nose and mouthfeel. I get a monotone of Cranberry and not much else. They could have put vodka and Cranberry juice in the bottle and come up with the same flavor profile. However, it is drinkable.

1/7/2012 - atwkite wrote:

We are early on this one! A bit green and tight for me right now. Couldn't coax out the usual Phelps fruit even after a few hours in the glass. Also a bit more tart cherry on the mid palate (Merlot coming through ?) than I am used to from JP. But I think there is potential here with excellent balance and nice integration of alcohol, acidity, and tannin. I will hold for a few years before trying again.

1/1/2012 - atwkite wrote:

Incredibly light bodied for a Cab, but very smooth and balanced. Nice simple cherry nose which continues on the front end and mid palate. Light finish, sweet tannins.

12/26/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Best regular FF I have had in years. Nice balanced fruit on the nose and front end. A little earthiness and tart cherry comes in mid palate and smooth on the finish, albeit a bit short. Very integrated sweet California tannins. This reminds me of the 2002 Rutheford Reserve!

12/26/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Always good, just an easy to drink wine, POP. I'm always amazed at how much non wine drinkers love this wine!

12/25/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Just a great wine, showing no sign getting old. Great fruit and balance on the front end and mid palate with sweet tannin developing through the finish. Wish I had more!

12/22/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Very tight now, but showing all the right signs for an exceptional wine in 5 - 10 years. Much more structure than the 07 regular, but currently dominated by tannins and acidity.

12/22/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Out of balance, tart cherry, sour and a bit bitter on the finish. Didn't resolve with time. Might have been a bad bottle, but not flawed. Bought 6, gave the other 5 away.

12/14/2005 - atwkite wrote:

Had twice over past year. Good friend trying to get me into French wine. I get it, good fruit and balance, but still too much dirt and wet farm animal for me to really enjoy as a 95+ candidate. Sorry!

12/12/2010 - atwkite wrote:

Tight and young, I think I will rack these for a few years

12/12/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Not good, out of balance, tannic and bitter. Might need age or may never get there.

12/12/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Very fruit forward and forgiving, no hard edges. A bit sweet and absolutely nothing mid palate to finish. Very good for non wine drinkers.

12/12/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Smooth and balanced, good QPR.

12/11/2011 - atwkite wrote:

As good as the 02 is, this was a bit disappointing. The wine still lacks balance, dominated by alcohol and bitter oak mid palate to finish. Try again in 2 - 3 yrs.

12/11/2011 - atwkite wrote:

I have to stop drinking these! Great wine now, but slightly out of balance with prominent tannins and a bit of bitterness. This will be a blockbuster in 5 - 10 years.

12/11/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Really drinking well, I wish I had purchased a second case when it was released, but it was not as integrated early on. Very balanced now, with the oak and tannins much more melded together. Still lacks the depth and complexity for a 95+ score, but what an easy drinker that the non wine crowd loves.

12/11/2011 - atwkite wrote:

A bit more tart and out of balance than others I have had. It was a quick PnP

12/11/2011 - atwkite wrote:

This is a great value Shiraz, I've had over 3 cases of this in the past 5 years and it consistently drinks well. Dark fruit and cedar nose with nice balance front to finish. Occasionally a little too tart mid palate to finish, which is the only place I have noted much bottle to bottle variation. The Command is more concentrated and consistent, but this is very good.

12/11/2011 - atwkite wrote:

More depth than most Pinots. While not a Pinot Fan, I do like this wine.

12/4/2011 - atwkite wrote:

The last of many very good bottles at the Xmas party. Rich and balanced, but still a bit tart mid palate and finish.

12/4/2011 - atwkite wrote:

This is a wonderful wine, very balanced with excellent integration of fruit, earthiness, and light cocoa. Still a touch tannic, but very young in the grand scheme of things. It is very similar to the 2004 Insignia.

12/4/2011 - atwkite wrote:

I love this wine and usually score it a bit higher, but this bottle was a bit flat and sharp on the finish. However, it was a PnP after a fantastic Kuleto Cab.

12/4/2011 - atwkite wrote:

Needed time to open up, but then showed some nice notes of light fruit and balance. Still slightly sharp on the finish