2008 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection

(15.4% alcohol): Bright, full medium ruby. Black raspberry, bitter chocolate and licorice on the nose. Lush, sweet, concentrated and mouthfilling; not nearly as porty as the basic cabernet, with seamless dark fruit flavors showing more energy and depth than the regular bottling. The finish is smoothly tannic, chocolatey and very long. Like a liquid confection, even at this early stage: this really saturates the mouth. This is so sexy now that it's hard not to wonder whether the wine's potential flavor complexity has been compromised by its uncanny early sweetness. But it certainly has the stuffing to age.

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection is the first example of this cuvee to include Merlot (about 14%) in the blend. The Merlot component has given the wine a cocoa/chocolate nuance to its black currant, licorice-infused fruit. The tannins are velvety soft and the wine is beautifully textured and full-bodied. It is ideal for drinking now and over the next 15 years. From one of Napa Valley’s historic winemaking families, these are two very strong back to back vintages for Caymus. The good thing about these two cuvees is that they are widely available as nearly 20,000 cases of each were produced. Tel. (707) 963-4204; Fax (707) 963-5958

This is mind blowing on the nose with sweet tobacco, chocolate, cedar, cigar box, and licorice. Full bodied and round with a bright and velvety tannin structure. Starts off slow, but then runs off. This is fabulous. Massive finish. Delicious today, but will get better with an extra 3 years in the cellar. 2013. <br />