I lastly got around to cracking open the bottle of Caymus Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, and honestly, it felt such as a special event even though it was just an arbitrary Tuesday night. When you've spent any kind of time in the wine world, a person know that Caymus is one of those names that people either absolutely really like or love to doubt over a mozzarella cheese plate. It's a titan of Napa Valley, and the particular 2019 vintage provides been making some serious waves since it hit the shelves.
Once you pour a cup of this things, the very first thing you observe is the colour. It's not just red; it's that deep, ink-like magenta that looks almost opaque in the particular glass. It's a visual hint from what's about to occur to your taste. Before you also take a sip, the particular aroma hits you—it's classic Caymus. We're discussing big, daring whiffs of fresh blackberries, dark cherries, which signature vanilla-scented oak that the Wagner family offers perfected within the decades.
The Trademark Caymus Style
If you're looking for a delicate, subtle, or "restrained" wine, the Caymus Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon might not really be your very first choice. But that's not why individuals buy Caymus. They will buy it for the richness. The 2019 vintage stays true to that "Caymus style" that has built a huge following. It's extremely lush and exactly what some wine people call "supple. "
The tannins exist, certain, but they're therefore well-integrated that they sense like velvet rather than sandpaper. It's the type of wine that clothes your mouth and lingers for a long time right after you've swallowed. I actually think that's why it's this type of crowd-pleaser; you don't want to be the professional sommelier in order to appreciate the intricacy here. It's loud, it's proud, plus it's unashamedly Californian.
What Can make the 2019 Classic Special?
Every single year in Napa is a little bit different, and 2019 was actually a pretty fantastic 12 months for Cabernet. The particular growing season has been relatively steady without too many associated with those crazy heat spikes that can sometimes shrivel the particular grapes. This permitted for a long "hang time, " which is just a fancy method of saying the grapes stayed on the vine long plenty of to build up deep sugars levels and complicated flavors without shedding their structure.
Within the Caymus Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, this translates in order to a wine that will feels very well balanced despite its higher alcohol content plus fruit-forward nature. There's a ripeness in order to the fruit—think cell phone jam or crème de cacao—but it doesn't feel unattractive. There's enough acidity in the history to keep it from experience like you're taking in fruit juice. It's a heavy hitter, but it carries its weight well.
Tasting Notes: A Deeper Dive
Let's talk regarding what happens when a person actually taste this. The first sip is usually centered by that "lit from within" fruitiness. It's very significantly a dark-fruit user profile. I acquired the lot of dark currants and maybe a little bit of plum. But as it rests in your mouth area, the secondary tastes begin to show upward.
There's a distinct touch of sweet cigarette and maybe a little bit associated with leather, which provides it some much-needed earthiness. Then there's the chocolate. Also man, the chocolate. It's like a dusting of cocoa powder on a plate of ripe berries. The finish is where the oak really shines—toasty, buttery, plus long. It's the particular kind of finish which makes you would like to take an additional sip immediately, which is probably why these bottles disappear therefore fast at supper parties.
The Role of French Oak
Caymus is famous with regard to its usage of oak aging. Some critics argue it's the bit much, however for most drinkers, it's exactly what they're searching for. In the particular 2019 Cabernet, the particular oak supplies a construction and a sweetness that rounds out the berry tastes. It offers the wine a creamy texture that's hard to find within many other Cabs at this cost point. It's a deliberate choice by the winemakers, and this vintage, seems particularly well-executed.
Mouthfeel and Structure
Texture is everything with this wine. If the wine feels "thin, " it can be the letdown, specially when you're paying for a premium Napa Cab. You don't have to worry about that will here. The Caymus Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is heavy and mouth-filling. It offers a weight into it that feels high-class. It's the wine equivalent of a heavy cashmere blanket—warm, comforting, and top quality.
Pairing This With Food
You could certainly drink this by itself, but it really sings once you place it next in order to something fatty or savory. Because it's this kind of big wine, it could easily overpower lighter dishes. Forget the poached white fish or maybe the sensitive salad. You will need something that can endure it.
Classic Steaks: A ribeye or a New York strip is the obvious selection. The fat in the meat slashes through the tannins and the fruit, making the wine taste even softer. Burgers: Not just any burger, though. I'm discussing a high-end wagyu burger with maybe some blue parmesan cheese or caramelized onions. The sweetness from the onions plays very well with the wine's oaky notes. Rich Pastas: In case you're into teigwaren, opt for something with a hearty bolognese or a short-rib ragu. Cheese: If you're doing a cheese board, skip the mild bries. Go for an aged cheddar or a funky gorgonzola. The sharpness of the cheese offers a great contrast to the wine's richness.
Is It a Collector's Item?
One question I actually get asked the lot is actually the particular Caymus Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is meant for the particular cellar. The short answer? You can age it, however you don't have to. In contrast to some Bordeaux wines that need ten many years in a cellar before they're actually drinkable, Caymus is designed to be enjoyed today.
It's approachable from the particular moment you pop the cork. That said, if a person have the patience to let it sit for five in order to seven years, those fruit flavors may mellow out a bit, and you'll get more of those complex, tasty notes like cedar and dried herbal products. But let's be real: many people that buy a container of Caymus are drinking it inside 48 hours, and there's absolutely nothing at all wrong with that will.
The Value Proposition
Let's address the elephant within the room: the price. Caymus isn't cheap. It usually rests in that "premium" bracket where you're paying for the name as much because the liquid inside of. Will be the Caymus Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon worth the $80 to $90 cost tag?
If you enjoy big, bold, fruity Napa wines, after that yes, it completely is. It provides just what it promises. It's consistent, it's high-quality, and it's the total crowd-pleaser. When you're hosting a supper and you wish to impress people without worrying if the wine is "too weird" or "too acidic, " this is your safe bet. It's a "sure thing" within a globe of hit-or-miss vintages.
Conclusions on the 2019 Vintage
Looking back at the container (which is now empty, with the way), the Caymus Vineyards 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a display of what the Wagner loved ones does best. It's a wine that will doesn't try in order to be something it's not. It's not really trying to become a French Claret. It's a big, sun-drenched, unapologetic Napa Valley Cabernet.
Whether you're a long-time fan associated with the brand or even someone planning to deal with themselves to some great bottle for a celebration, the 2019 classic won't disappoint. It's rich, it's decadent, and it's a whole lot associated with fun to consume. Just make certain there is a glass that's not too young to let it breathe a little, and maybe a steak on the grill in order to go with it. You won't feel dissapointed about it.