Category Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon

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2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary, Caymus Vineyards: A Review

Hello friends it’s been far too long, and far too many bottles escaping a recap. I’m fixing that right now, courtesy of the 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a limited-edition headliner of a wine that commemorates the Wagner family and its Napa Valley roots. 

2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary, Caymus Vineyards, Fairfield, California, USA.

The 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon pours in a distinctive, deep ruby hue. Swirling it in the glass reveals not only its vibrant crimson color but also dark berry aromas of goodness…probably black cherry or plum? Other tasters cite its “baking spices” and “enticing whiffs of cocoa, tobacco, and leather,” but I’m pleasantly covered in the berry framework of this intriguing bottle and miss a few of those nuances. That may be attributed to our consumption of this Caymus bottle in its (relative) youth rather than allowing its profile to mature over the next 5 to 10 years? Anyway, the 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary is a full-bodied wine with layers of ripe black fruit and vanilla, and I find myself doing less sipping and more swirling of the wine. Like many Wagner wines, it’s velvety on the tongue and has a fulsome mouthfeel that leads to a balanced, satisfying finish.

Fruit for the 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary was harvested from diverse terroirs, ranging from the cooler Coombsville region in the southern part of the Valley to warmer Calistoga in the north. Also in the mix are grapes from the renowned Rutherford and Oakville appellations—all blended in the production of a complex, intensely enjoyable Napa Cab that is itself a celebration.

From its deep, inky color to its rich, concentrated flavors of dark fruits and spices, the 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary truly captivates the senses. It’s a milestone for the Wagner family and a testament to their ongoing pursuit of excellence. This 2022 Caymus deserves to be savored and appreciated, both for its exceptional quality and also for the legacy it represents. I’m so pleased we have another one to hold for the future!

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2021 Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon, Orin Swift Cellars

I’m remembering this one gladly – a fella’s requested birthday drink to commemorate another trip around the sun. Many thanks to Cara for all the special touches that make for a fun celebration and looking forward to many more.

2021 Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon, Orin Swift Cellars, Napa Valley, Saint Helena, California, USA.

I’ve been privileged to sample the Palermo on happy occasions in the past, and you can read a review of the 2016 at your convenience.

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2021 Calistoga Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside

Next time you’re shopping for vino and find yourself lost in a sea of red and white options, here’s a recommendation: try sampling the Hillside 2021 Calistoga Reserve Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon. It’ll take you away from the masses and steal you away for a little quality time.

2021 Calistoga Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Hillside, Napa Valley, California, USA.

I know I’ve been away from Notes for awhile, but suffice it to say I’ve been well acquainted with new world reds throughout. This one, a 2021 Reserve and a limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon (100%), is grown in a “prominent” vineyard in Calistoga, Napa Valley. It reportedly grows in a special block where red volcanic soils merge with volcanic ash—my sense of terroir kicks into overdrive at such notions, and the grapes here show these characteristics in a tangible way. The 2021 Calistoga Reserve is not red and not purple in your glass but rather straddles the line between them.

The Hillside 2021 Calistoga Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is created with attention to detail, produced from grapes that were exposed to draught conditions. Winemaker Nicholas Bleecher indicates that growing pattern “resulted in a more natural load on the vines, requiring less pruning and dropping of fruit”—and also packs the grapes full of flavor.

What about a few notes, you say? The 2021 Calistoga Rserve is plums, blueberry—dark fruits for sure—and has little interwoven hints of earth and spice. Its tannins are very gentle, and this is a full-bodied, pleasurable red. I’ve sample in a variety of ways, accompanying meals and soloing after a long work day. Lot of the latter lately, and not enough of these fine wines. Here’s to the rest of the summer fixing those types of inequities! 

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The Ones That Got Away – Spring 2023

2019 Attila’s Selection Zinfandel, Buena Vista Winery, California, USA; 2019 Machete Red Wine, Orin Swift Wines, California, USA; 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, M by Martellotto Paso Robles, California, USA; 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Robert Story Reserve, Napa Valley, California, USA; 2019 Shirttail Ranches Cabernet Sauvignon, Hess, California, USA;  2018 Bodega de Edgar Migrant Red Blend, Paso Robles, California, USA; 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Prima Materia, California, USA. 2020 Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California, USA; 2019 Grenache McKahn Family Cellars, Amador County, California, USA.
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2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, PureCru Wines

Birthday wine, this gem, one selected specifically for the occasion. Where does a gent go for satisfaction and representation of the Finer Things Club? Yes, the answer is Napa Valley Cab. This one is new for me, a 2016 from PureCru Wines. Let’s break it down.

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, PureCru Wines, Napa Valley, California, USA.

The date is April 7, 2022. It’s evening, a long workday slowly sliding into the rear view mirror. I’m fatigued, in part from the concentration and in part from the early start of this Thursday. Thankfully this bottle, a dinner of several favorites, and Cara’s good company are there to raise my spirits. Several ‘nifty gifties’ are neatly wrapped and well within my interested gaze…

The 2016 PureCru Cabernet Sauvignon simply caught my eye on a recent trip to the wine store, seeking a bottle worthy of this milestone. Loved the striking bottle design, the raised red lettering both stamped and scrawled over the textured black label. Plus I’m a sucker for anything like the PureCru where there is limited production—there were fewer than 500 cases of this wine produced. 

I think “Napa” is my actual favorite four-letter word? Anyway, the wine is a pleasure. A bright, cheery and cherry wine filled with ripe fruit flavors. It’s all about red fruit and full bodied goodness, but has subtle notes of chocolate or plum just behind the dominant cherry. I’m tired but want to tip my cap to Mitch Cosentino – winemaker – for this 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was barrel-aged for 39 months in French oak. I only purchased one, but additional bottles are in order, yes sir…