March 30, 2023 - This wine is in very good shape. Tart red fruits dominate. Light & easy to enjoy.
March 26, 2023 - Surprising given the low scores here. This was an impeccably stored bottle. At PnP it was tannic and not that enjoyanle but after 30-45 min of some air it really opened up and impressed the table. Plenty of fruit, seems to have had minimal amount of new oak. The lower abv was appreciated. Really like the style of the older mayacamas
August 12, 2022 - Enjoyed this cab with a porterhouse at Ruth's Chris. If I had blind tasted it I would have said old world wine. It reminded me of an older bordeaux. Not first growth (or even second) but rather enjoyable and seamless on the palate. It lacks the long finish many of the current crop of big name Napa cabs exhibit but it still gave me joy.
July 27, 2022 - Color: Red/black; Nose: Beautiful, black currant w/some oak, earth & smoke; Taste: black fruit, slightly high acidity, austere, thin, disappointing; Finish: Medium-long, light tannin, acidic. Try this with fatty meat- it may enrich the mouth-feel.
September 27, 2021 - Others have noted that their bottles were opening up. After a 1 hour decant, mine was still, as others have described it, green and reticent.
August 22, 2021 - Very deep in color. Lots of black fruits in the nose and flavor. Medium to long finish.
April 17, 2021 - This is what mountain napa cab is all about. Finally hitting it's stride.
September 7, 2020 - Finally, the 2001 Mayacamas is open for business. Previous bottles have been green and reticent, so much so that I wondered whether or not these would ever come around. Thankfully, my patience was rewarded. Brought to Tasting Group. Opened in the morning and allowed to slow-ox for six hours before entering the decanter an hour prior. Served double-blind. Poured a lighter garnet with no signs of color variation towards the rim. On the nose, red fruit dominant with dry leaf tobacco, some green bell pepper and baking spices. There was an overall impression of freshness that was hugely compelling. On the palate, again, hit with crunchy red currants over some darker fruits with a little bit of tobacco, leather and dark cocoa and espresso. Long, tongue smacking finish. A show-stopper of a wine, really. This had everyone’s attention at the table. It was universally thought to be Old-World and probably Cabernet Sauvignon based. Everyone thought it was much younger and who would deny such an assertion as it came across so youthful! Loads of smile when this was revealed to be the wine. I wish this wasn’t my last bottle as this would be fun to follow over the next few decades. Unanimously the groups WOTN.
May 25, 2020 - Pen ink and plum on the nose. On the palate, currant, black cherry, and notes of bitter tobacco and menthol on the long finish, with moderate tannins and strong acidity. The Cellartracker drinking window currently shows 2012-2020 -- that is impossible. This is just beginning to open up, and it should easily have a decade to go. I had heard that Mayacamas was slow to evolve, but for it to take almost 20 years to get to this point is impressive; most 2012 California Cabernets are more advanced than this. This is outstanding, and it was an excellent value at about $70, but at the $120+ it now goes for I will not be looking for more.
August 28, 2017 - had to open a second bottle as the first had turned to very vinegar taste, possibly by virtue of a broken cork. The second bottle still had good body and some fruit left. Lots of full body still. Down to my last bottle of this which I am hoping is still good. This vintage shouldn't wait much longer as it is probably at the end of its drinkable life.