Caymus Vineyards
Caymus Suisun Grand Durif
2018
About this winery
In 1971 Charles F. (Charlie) Wagner and his wife Lorna Belle Glos Wagner asked their son Charles J. (Chuck) Wagner, who had just graduated from high school, if he would be interested in joining them in starting up a winery. If Chuck declined the offer, Charlie and Lorna were planning to sell out of their ranch in Napa Valley and move to Australia. Chuck accepted his parents’ offer to launch the winery, Caymus Vineyards. The Wagners produced their first vintage in 1972, consisting of 240 cases...
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Product notes
Influenced by the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, Suisun Valley enjoys a maritime climate with warm days and cool nights. The Suisun AVA has rich soils and is historically known for growing stone fruit. The estate is also perfectly suited to the cultivation of certain grape varieties, including Durif.
Production notes
Harvest in September-October. Dry cultivation of the vine, which reduces the yield but increases the fruit by cutting the vines and concentrating the remaining grapes. Long suspension time to soften the tannins.
Tasting notes
Royal brown color edged with purple, the 2018 vintage presents rich and enveloping scents of French plums and German chocolate cake. A hint of marc, vanilla and floral potpourri adds freshness to the nose, while the wood of this wine rocks but never defines the fruit. On the palate, flavors of dark berry mingle with tannins, each extending over and over again to blend with the other. An initial sweetness is built, evolving in the final towards the texture of blackberry jam or the filling of a fig bar, creamy and luxurious. Pairings of New York strip loin, a stuffed veal breast or lamb.