2004 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Savignon

Hello all!! We had this wine last night after dinner. We wanted something nice to sip on a very dreary Friday night. So we lit the fireplace and broke out the cheese and crackers, then moved on to dark chocolate. The wine was very good. It was inky dark with brick-red color at the edges. The nose was fairly big with aromas of dark cherry, vanilla and licorice. To me, it was a little too oaky. This did mellow out as the wine opened. On the palate there was cherry, solid but fairly smooth tannins, vanilla, licorice and dark chocolate on the finish. Again, it was very oaky. This was a really big wine that wanted a big juicy steak. It improved significantly as it opened. The oakiness really smoothed out as it opened and the wine became smoother, more velvety, and more elegant. We don't drink a lot of these big California Cabs, partly because of the price and partly because we don't eat a lot of steak, roast beef, and grilled meats. This was a very delicious wine, especially after opening. And, while it's a style we don't necessarily seek out, I certainly understand why so many people love these wines. This winemaker has an outstanding reputation and I'm really excited about having had the opportunity to try this cab. This was actually a gift from a friend. I believe it retails for at least $60 to $70 a bottle. Sorry the review wasn't more of a rave, but I have to call it like I see it. And I see it as something many people would rave about, just a little too big, and a little to oaky for my palate right now. Too bad we didn't open this with a big Porterhouse steak (but we only ever get as far as Kansas City strips). If I had the opportunity to have this again, I wouldn't pass it up, but I wouldn't buy it at this price point.