Christmas is always a welcome occasion, but seems to be even more relaxing when it falls on a Friday.  I left work early yesterday, Christmas Eve, to begin shopping.  That’s right; I hadn’t purchased a single gift as of 2pm on Christmas Eve.  Some of my coworkers thought I was insane while others were clearly in awe and admiration of my cavalier attitude toward Christmas shopping.  Of course, Christmas is about so much more than shopping, economic stimulation, gifts, visiting the family, and even the birth of Jesus.  It is also provides an excellent excuse to open a great bottle of wine to celebrate the season.  And that is exactly what we did - a bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet from one of my all time favorite wineries.  Have a very Merry Christmas!

• Bottle: Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
• Winery: Caymus
• Vintage: 2007
• Country: USA
• Region: Napa Valley
• Price: $70
• Web Site: http://www.caymus.com/

Description: The aromas are layered with pipe tobacco, fermentation pumice, log cabin fire, moist steel, dried Poblano peppers and fine quality oak. Sweet, toasty fresh brown spice leads to the impression of richness and complexity. We created this wine to be low in tartness yet abundant in tannins, providing impressions of friendly chock richness. The palate enters rich with sweet, ripe tannins, expanding to a greater breadth of refined textures. These harmonious qualities are so well integrated that not one takes the dominant role. I find a flavor profile of dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, mocha, leather, brown spice, cedar, vanilla and sweet licorice. The primary goodness of this wine is the presence of balance, with a supple texture, approachable grip and a fruit of the earth essence.

My Review - The Cabernet Sauvignon grape and this winery in particular are excellent examples of what make Napa Valley great.  Fantastic fruit in a very complex and oaky bottle of wine that is remarkably smooth after only 2 years.  Clearly, this bottle could be cellared for a long time - if you can manage not to open it.

ETJ

Damian.

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