Wine that makes you ill (gets endorsement from notes on CT...)

WINE TALK
1

I was surprised to find the 2006 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon at 92 points on CT! (with 130+ notes) - the reason I write this is stems from my experience of a week ago when I had this in a line up. The wine was so viscous and sweet - flabby in this case due to lack of acid balance - that it actually made me ill to taste it… Does this happen to anyone else? I’ve had this happen to me a few times and I’m wondering if it’s more of a physical reaction or psychosomatic reaction.

I’m not knocking the producer or anything like that in this case, as I’ve had some great wines (notable, the '94 SS which was very delicious and “ripe” but in a very elegant way… also liked the '00 SS, actually).

Here’s my note on the '06:
Outclassed, outgunned, and - quite frankly - unacceptable in the lineup of the night. Cotton candy, syrupy fruit, and vanilla-chocolate sauce on the nose. Palate full, rich, and intensely sweet to the point of being off-putting; good depth and concentration; the components of a good wine are there but are just out of balance. Some people might like this; just wasn’t sitting well with me at the end of the night. (82 points)

2

Section of my notes on the 2008 (not to gang-up on this particular wine). Sounds like we had a similar experience. And also crazy-high CT ratings on this vintage too…

Nose is great, black fruit, some robust floral notes, maybe a little coffee. Palate is…indescribably bad. Maple syrup and vanilla. Tannins and any other fruit are in hiding. Completely out of balance and quite honestly undrinkable.

3

Not to pick on this wine but my '08 TN are pretty consistent. I think this is one of those wines where a majority of the people tasting and reviewing it are going to review it highly because of its brand equity / track record.

4

Well it is a bit over the top and dramatic to say that ‘it made you ill’. I’ve tasted plenty of things I didn’t care for but they rarely make me actually nauseous. Never wine.

I do find there are a lot of wines that receive a lot pf praise here or on CT that I do not really like all that much. Its usually on wines that are of a style I just don’t appreciate or from certain grapes.

5

Funny. I had the exact same thought this week after trying a 2008 Tensley Syrah Colson Canyon. It got a 91 CT rating and I could barely get a sip down–medicinal, super extracted, fruit nuke of a travesty. Tried it again 24h later and still disgusting

6

With that note, I expected a score of about 62 points – which to me sounds like what it deserves. For me, 82 points goes to wines that are boring but not bad.

But in response to your question, yes, I’ve had wines like that. Most notably, my wife and I were once served an atrociously oxidized CA Chard (that was probably terrible to begin with) that our hosts praised endlessly. To be polite I drank my glass, but it was hard to get down. I’ve also been served a number of wines that were closely reminiscent of cough syrup.

7

+1

…and I flirtysmile CT…

8

There are a lllloooooottttt of people on CT. A lot of people who love that style. A lot of people who would say they love it without ever trying it just because it’s Caymus. [stirthepothal.gif] Just sayin…

9

Had the 2008 Caymus SS at a local tasting with Napa heavy weights. Many felt it was one of the best. Many felt it was close to the bottom. It seemed a love it or hate it sort of wine.

This was along side Insignia, Opus One, etc, so I do not think the name on the bottle was really skewing the “likers” upwards. I just think it is a style thing. [pillow-fight.gif]