The Caymus “Napa Valley Cuvée” Cabernet Sauvignon was only produced for 3 years, in 1984, 1985 and 1986.
Regardless of exactly when they stopped producing the “Cuvee”, production of the Estate spiked with the sudden availability of these grapes.
In the mid 1980’s and likely beyond, the Special Selection was aged in part in American Oak, for a whopping 36 months. They possibly have cut back on the barrel aging, but I’ll bet they have increased the hang time in the vineyard ?
Ok, I’m confused. First, you make a statement about Caymus that implied that they stopped a 30,000 case production in 2000 and used those grapes in their more expensive bottling. Then, someone calls you on your apparently completely false statement and you come back with “regardless of exactly when they stopped producing…”? Ahem, the difference between 1986 and 2000 is 14 years. How can a production spike starting in 2000 possibly be attributed to a 1986 production stop of their lesser wine? Do you have some kind of beef with Caymus that would lead to you spreading this misinformation?
It’s not misinformation. And no I don’t have a beef with Caymus. Are you on the payroll? I’m simply stating facts. They stopped producing the “Cuvee” and the “Estate” production skyrockets. Then the quantity of their “Special Selection” increases 10 times, in one vintage. There is simply no other way to interpret this strategy aside from maximizing profits. You can call it how you see it, but the designation “Special Selection” and a production level of 10,000+ cases do not correlate whatsoever!
You still have not addressed the real issue here. You stated that production skyrocketed in 2000. The “Cuvee” was last produced in 1986. How could you possibly attribute the production spike to the “Cuvee” being dropped? What am I missing here?
Estate production increased in 1987. Production of Special Selection increased in 2000. There you have it!
Ok, I give up. In your earlier post, you stated that the “Cuvee” stopped production in 2000, resulting in a huge increase in production of the “Estate”. Another poster pointed out that the “Cuvee” was last produced in 1987, thus causing doubt in your theory. So, I guess I don’t “have it”.
You keep fixating on the exact year. OK, they increased the Estate production in 1987, my bad, and they increased the Special Special Selection production in 2000. The fact remains they have done it twice.
It’s hard to take anyone seriously when they get their facts wrong. BTW, I have no interest in Caymus and, in fact, have never even tried any Caymus wines (that I’m aware of).
Recently tasted the 07 and 08, side by side. The '08 is more candied and vanilla-fied than the previous vintage. Scary. But at the same token, I understand why its so popular. Americans love their candy.
I’ve been complaining to my wino friends after about the last 3-4 bottles of Caymus I’ve opened. The 07 was the last, and my [brief] CT notes called it a “Big, jammy, 15%, caymus on steroids”.
The one before that was an 04 SS, which certainly was not their best effort: “88 points: Big brooding monster. Seemed even bigger than the 15.2% alcohol would predict. Not overly hot, but fully extracted while still in balance. Some might like this style, but I’m for at least a bit of nuance…this is about as nuanced as a aluminum bat to the head. Typical Caymus style, just dialed to 11 on every aspect.”
I want to believe there are some still gems out there, mostly because I’ve still got about a case of Caymus in the cellar, mainly SS. I’ve sadly been considering liquidating…
P Intag, I stand behind my facts because they are correct. It’s your interpretation that’s incorrect.
With regard to recent Caymus wines, I haven’t had any so I cannot comment, but I’ve blind tasted both the 2002 & 2003 Special Selections and neither were very impressive.