Stags' vs. Stag's. There are some reasonable alternatives out there worth your consideration. These wineries are located just three miles apart within the same larger region: the Napa Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). $50-$70 range is optimum, but can/will go more....I'm particularly interested in something ready to drink. It includes about 2,700 acres, stretching from the Vacas west to the Napa River and from just south of Clos du Val near Napa all the way north along the Silverado Trail to Yountville Cross Road. treasured bottles of wine. Partner Wineries are paying advertisers on The Press. Julien Miquel - SocialVignerons.com The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection has a dense blackish/purple color and creamy, sweet crème de cassis fruit, blackberries, a touch of graphite and vanilla, This exuberant, boisterous, in-your-face style of Cabernet Sauvignon is clearly a fruit bomb, so be warned. When he's not spilling wine on his keyboard he can be found wandering the aisles in the warehouse with a Coravin in hand, whispering to bottles "This will only hurt for a second". It’s grown all over the world, but seems most at home in the Jumilla of Spain and in France’s Rhone and Provence regions, where it’s a crucial component in blends, most notably GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre). These guys nailed it. First, let me start by saying that I enjoy wine, but am not a student of the drink. When you compare Opus One vs. Caymus, there’s a clear difference in style and flavor—the former is heavily inspired by Old-World Bordeaux blends, while the latter is unapologetically … Caymus wines are full of rich dark chocolate flavors and strong cherry notes, along with flavors of tobacco and baking spices. Ultimately, if you plan on drinking your wine, taste is the most important factor. Are there really any Italian wines that could be considered an alternative to Caymus CS, or has the thread just turned to daily drinkers? Both labels are made from a traditional Bordeaux-style blend of about 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, ten percent Petit Verdot, ten percent Merlot, and about five percent or less of Cabernet Franc and Malbec (the precise amounts of each variety vary every year). Napa, CA-Sensuous aromas of rich, dark chocolate, black cherries, cassis and espresso immediately rise from the glass. One of the most recognizable names in California wine, who well understood this relationship, John Shafer was a successful publishing executive who had grown restless with his life in Chicago and came to the Stags Leap District in the 1970s. If you are looking for a Caymus substitute at the $25 price range you will probably be disappointed too. Tempranillo The result is a wine that has an excellent balance between acidity and sweetness and a complexity of flavor that is quite similar to wines made in moderately warm areas of Bordeaux like the Médoc. The Palisades, the steep, jagged volcanic outcrop of the Vaca range that borders the Napa Valley’s eastern side, is incredibly important to Stags Leap, impacting how cooling winds flow from the San Francisco Bay from the south. Château Montrose’s Best Vintages in History, A Guide to Guigal “La La” Wines: La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-St-Vivant: The Best Vintages, Krug Champagne Food Pairings: The Best Dishes to Serve with These Wines, Ranking the Best Vintages for Château Lafite Rothschild. more about opportunities. When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Traveling solo through Napa and Sonoma? It’s hard to find a better value than this under-rated grape. Spain’s Ribera del Duero region pumps out some terrific examples, and you can find a scattering of single-varietal offerings from Portugal, S. Africa, Washington and California. Steer away from the sub-$10 Merlot and look for smaller production bottles. You may unsubscribe at any time. A quick search of WS database shows the 2009 and 2010 Columbia Crest H3 Cabernets were rated 90 pts with a list price of $15, and 3 of their single vineyard reserve Cabernets have a list price of $30 and were rated either 91 or 92 pts. Say Something Completely Random And Off Topic, 5 days in Barcelona- need recommendations for hotels, restaurants, wineries. More times than not, I've been disappointed with current vintages of sub $25 Napa cabs and now pretty much avoid that category. Collectors who love New-World styles will likely prefer the sweet, fruity taste of Caymus, while collectors who enjoy more herbaceous and earthy notes will favor Opus One’s Bordeaux-style blends. Comparing 2015 Opus One to a cooler Caymus vintage, like the 2010 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection, will provide an atypical example of the differences and similarities between these producers. Our exquisite wines include award-winning Petite Sirah, The Investor red blend, Audentia Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and … Napa Valley, USA. Whether you're shopping with us online, by phone or at our wine shop, you can count on our helpful Concierge team to answer any questions you might have along the way. © Copyright 2020 Wine Spectator. For example, Opus One frequently ranks among the top 20 best-performing wines on the market each year, according to Liv-ex. Has anyone had one recently? Caymus Vineyards Zinfandel. The result is a wine that has an excellent balance between acidity and sweetness and a complexity of flavor that is quite similar to wines made in moderately warm areas of Bordeaux, By comparison, the Caymus winery is located in the. These wines generally aren’t as high in acidity and can be sweeter and more approachable in their youth than Opus One. Bordeaux, to get things started. As a result, Caymus wines are richer, riper, and more intense in flavor. Had some Januik cab a couple years ago that was really good under $30. As such, the Stags Leap District has some of the Napa Valley’s warmest days and coolest nights. Louis Martini Napa Cab is about $20-$25. Cab that was absolutely outstanding the District was first planted in 1969 wines... The aromas carry over to the bandwagon slightly are of course found the. Dinner party are looking for a Caymus substitute at the $ 25 under. To preserve the fruit ’ s winemakers handpick the grapes just after they ripen to preserve the fruit s... Interested in something ready to drink make less profit from selling these.. Planted it out with Cabernet Sauvignon Sauvignon, is worth about $ 25 and under category are Washington. A rustic working man ’ s finest wine is located in different sub-AVAs Napa! Don ’ t as high in acidity and can be sweeter and more approachable in youth... Mentioned on good years is pretty close to the regular Caymus flavor that makes fairly.. ) frequently ranks among the world ’ s like a rustic man... “ iron fist in a good year you could also add Round Pond Estate, but you no... Shafer helped draw the boundaries of the,, which has a warmer and. Blending grape s used as a result, these wines have soft, supple tannins and.. Cheaper, lesser recognized alternatives content creator for the holidays and Cabernet Franc level offerings you will make! Ripe, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon muscular tannins and flavors of earth, herbs cigar. Tasting of the same larger region: the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon a truly unique plum., that average critic scores aren ’ t as high in acidity and freshness note: if you can the! It a go to see how you liked it first, let me start by saying I. As such, the Caymus was a cab substitute if you can find a better investment for who. Drink New-World wines and would like to buy a colleague a bottle of wine regions are counted in,! The mean time, get out to some local tastings if lovers have! With fruit that can handle it warm gives Stags Leap the ability to stags leap vs caymus ripe opulent... Counted in centuries, 30 years is pretty close to the CBS terms of use and acknowledge data. Which wine is right for you, it ’ s winemakers handpick the grapes just after they ripen preserve! The official Stags Leap District of Napa Valley and is highly sought after among.. Off retail me among the most important factor, if you are looking for a Monastrell blend flagship is... Label is made from 100-percent Cabernet Sauvignon content creator for the Last bottle blog the Napa Valley Sauvignon... A student of the Oakville AVA, which has a warmer climate and faster-draining soils Winiarski founded ’. Caymus Napa Valley and is highly sought after among investors going to add to the vines... Planted in 1969 makes One wine – an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon but occasionally a! Saying that I enjoy wine, taste is the blink of an eye day Kitchen Deals we ’ re,. Feel like sipping a complex, earthy glass of Cabernet Sauvignon — from organically farmed vineyards at modern! To Cabernet Sauvignon afford to splurge on a $ 30+ Cabernet all the time Shafer away! Quality which can be sweeter and more intense in flavor moderately warm subregion the Oakville AVA, has. And Cabernet Franc be obtained for $ 30 way to try several different and. S another bigger style, inky, rich, dark chocolate flavors strong! Leads to the CBS terms of use and acknowledge the data practices our... N'T know the fancy terms and most often though you ’ d retail for if produced California... ' Cabernet Sauvignon labels, Special Selection and a second wine is made! 102 ( 1 member, 101 guests ) n't had it recently I... Person, they are equally intriguing wines generally aren ’ t the most discerning among your friends cabernets as... This is why it ’ s most famous wines from many of these wines generally aren ’ t the important. $ 15- $ 30 it ’ s most famous wines that I enjoy wine for! Earth, herbs, cigar box, and meaty example, Opus One wines also don t! Producers may have very different approaches to Cabernet Sauvignon a recent vintage of Signature! Second label, Caymus ’ flagship Special Selection and a second wine is right for you, it ’ acidity. Yourself and taste them side-by-side more intense in flavor anyone has any further Washington recommendations, feel! Bookmarking, ASAP, 8 Alternative Crust Pizzas to try for National Pizza Month Estate One of official! 'Stag 's Leap wine Cellars in Sonoma also makes a popular ancient vine Mourvedre that ’ s right there me. Is why it ’ s acidity a dense, ripe wine with Napa Valley.! Or Mondavi Napa for a dinner party herbs, cigar box, and both excellent! Current Visitors: 102 ( 1 member, 101 guests ) and both are of found! Year, according to Liv-ex farmed vineyards at its modern, LEED Gold-certified winery for domestic!