2003 Caymus Sauvignon Blanc - USA, California, Napa Valley This is a SB that will please old world palates. Aged aromas of almonds, honeysuckle, and lemon peel. Elegant on the palate with a bright acidity. 89-90 points. (89 pts.)
2005 Caymus Zinfandel - USA, California, Napa Valley Blended with 21% Petite Sirah. Savory aromas of blackberries, pomegranate, hazelnut and peppercorns. The palate is less impressive and has a celery edge to it. Good aciidity. Finishes with some spice. (87 pts.)
2005 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley More showy and open than the Special Selection right now. Seductive aromas of cassis, sage, and dark chocolate. The velvet palate exhibits bright red fruits, crushed minerals, and dried herbs. A very classic profile in many ways. (91 pts.)
2005 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection - USA, California, Napa Valley Although it came across a bit more closed than the regular Cab, the gravitas of this wine is quite apparent. Bordeaux-like aromas of smoke, scorched earth, and cassis. Dense palate of cassis, graphite, minerals, and toasty oak with a long, refined finish. 92-93 points. (92 pts.)
Posts: 535 | Location: Orange County, CA | Registered: Jun 24, 2006
phlin, considering the price of the regular napa bottling do you consider it a good Qpr? 2005 napa cabs for higher end wines are just starting to show up here in Mpls.
Posts: 3427 | Location: minneapolis minnesota usa | Registered: Dec 17, 2003
Originally posted by mpls wine guy: phlin, considering the price of the regular napa bottling do you consider it a good Qpr? 2005 napa cabs for higher end wines are just starting to show up here in Mpls.
mwg, as a qpr wine, probably not. that said, i would consider the regular cab a good buy around $50, which is what i paid for it.
Posts: 535 | Location: Orange County, CA | Registered: Jun 24, 2006
The price for the 2005 Caymus Special Selection has increased to $170 in this area! I bought 2 cases of the 2004 but that's going to be my last purchase of Caymus Special Selection.
Also, the Cab is about $72/$75 in this area and if you can get it for $50, then its probably worth it, but its not worth the $75.
Originally posted by latour67: The price for the 2005 Caymus Special Selection has increased to $170 in this area! I bought 2 cases of the 2004 but that's going to be my last purchase of Caymus Special Selection.
Also, the Cab is about $72/$75 in this area and if you can get it for $50, then its probably worth it, but its not worth the $75.
Originally posted by latour67: The price for the 2005 Caymus Special Selection has increased to $170 in this area! I bought 2 cases of the 2004 but that's going to be my last purchase of Caymus Special Selection.
Also, the Cab is about $72/$75 in this area and if you can get it for $50, then its probably worth it, but its not worth the $75.
latour, I said no mas after the 1999 vintage.
wine+art --- Yes, I understand and it was probably a smart decision on your part! Still, Caymus SS is a wine I will miss!
I was thinking about getting the '05 when it shows up locally, anyone have any thoughts on how it compares to the '04, which I thought was an awesome buy at $180 up here. Certainly not a deal or even a QPR, but I felt worth the bucks.
Posts: 347 | Location: Vancouver | Registered: Feb 19, 2008
Originally posted by Dunder: I was thinking about getting the '05 when it shows up locally, anyone have any thoughts on how it compares to the '04, which I thought was an awesome buy at $180 up here. Certainly not a deal or even a QPR, but I felt worth the bucks.
Dunder -- I would pass on the 2005 Caymus SS and look for the 2004 CSS, or even the 2002 CSS. The 2005 has been weak in comparison, but perhaps that was just travel shock. Also, an excellent alternative choice would be the 2001 or 2002 Beringer Private Reserve, which is still a very reasonable priced reserve wine.
dunder, i would second latour67's recommendation on the 2005 special selection. unless you have the luxury to buy both, i would choose the 2004 over the 2005.
Posts: 535 | Location: Orange County, CA | Registered: Jun 24, 2006
Thanks to you both, I certainly don't have the luxury of spending that kind of money on the '05 if its not up to par with prior vintages, which is why I rely on this board and its members for advice!
Posts: 347 | Location: Vancouver | Registered: Feb 19, 2008
Wow, all these 2005 SS haters. The only Caymus SS I've tasted was the '05 at the Grand Tour, and I loved it! I thought it was marvelous, and I described it as a "licorice velvet rope." Probably would have gone 94+ pts. Perhaps the winemaker speaks my language, but if it is the worst of the recent ones, I can't wait to try the '04, or the '02. Or the '01? $170 does seem steep though, at least for my blood.
C'mon winestilsoldout.com!!!
-IB
Ban Trolls.
Posts: 3824 | Location: Naptown | Registered: Nov 24, 2006
indybob, i can't speak for latour67, but i think you are overstating my suggestion to dunder. i am not hating on the 2005 special selection. i too tasted it at the grand tour in vegas and enjoyed it very much. i am just saying that unless i had the means to purchase both, i would buy the 2004 before the 2005.
Posts: 535 | Location: Orange County, CA | Registered: Jun 24, 2006
Originally posted by latour67: an excellent alternative choice would be the 2001 or 2002 Beringer Private Reserve, which is still a very reasonable priced reserve wine.
Absolutely. And the 2004 and 2005 are really, really nice. Full disclosure - it is one of DnVsMom's wines....
Romeo and Juliet are together in eternity....
Posts: 4106 | Location: Elk Grove, CA, USA | Registered: Dec 06, 2003
Do some of you really feel the Beringer Private Reserves are on the same level as the SS or just that they are a nice alternative due to the lower price?
Posts: 975 | Location: Anaheim Hills, CA | Registered: Nov 18, 2007
Originally posted by phlin: indybob, i can't speak for latour67, but i think you are overstating my suggestion to dunder. i am not hating on the 2005 special selection. i too tasted it at the grand tour in vegas and enjoyed it very much. i am just saying that unless i had the means to purchase both, i would buy the 2004 before the 2005.
Cool! Yes, "hating" is probably too strong a word, but then again, I am prone to hyperbole at times, .
I'll definately have to widen my SS palate. Cheers,
-IB
Ban Trolls.
Posts: 3824 | Location: Naptown | Registered: Nov 24, 2006
Originally posted by Sticky2: Do some of you really feel the Beringer Private Reserves are on the same level as the SS or just that they are a nice alternative due to the lower price?
the 01/02 Beringer Reserve is an excellent selection for the price!!
Posts: 1742 | Location: NYC | Registered: Feb 16, 2007
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