2010 Caymus, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley.
I just tasted through all the Caymus family of wines, and was impressed with the quality and while there many more interesting wines out there I still consider Caymus a classic California wine and their 2010 Cabernet might be their best since 2001 in my book. The new vintage, which was a very trying year for vintners, 2010 shows more depth and balance than the last few vintages and the fruit seems more complex on the palate, instead of sweet or oaky that have marred some of the prior vintages. Again, there are lots of great wines out there, and Caymus doesn’t come cheap, but it is a very complete wine and one that can be relied on, especially as it is more available than some. The young 2010 Cabernet from the Wagner family and team is full bodied with black fruits and rich texture while firm tannins keep things tight and focused. The nose is slightly floral, but has some smoke, toasty oak and mineral before a mouth coating palate of blackberry, plum, currant and black cherry fruits with touches of licorice, sweet tobacco leaf, sage and vanilla bean pushing to a finish of boysenberry and cedar notes. This 2010 Caymus is a textbook Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that delivers exactly what is expected and a bit more, and it should drink well for a decade, for best results best to give 2 to 3 years of cellar time.
($70+ Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
