Emmolo Merlot by Caymus Napa Valley 2020

Three decades after starting Caymus, Charlie and Chuck would be inducted into Wine Spectator’s ‘Wine Hall of Fame’, earning countless ‘Wine’ and ‘Winery of the Year’ awards from multiple publications along the way. The 100% family-owned operation has flourished into one of America’s most iconic brands, and in true Wagner family tradition, was turned over to the next generation, with Chuck handing over some of the reigns to two of his children, Charlie and Jenny.

Making some of the biggest, boldest wines you can find anywhere, you have to wait in a Black Friday-sized line to get your hands on a bottle of their flagship ‘Special Selection’ Cabernet, even when you’re a restaurant owner. Their wine flies off the shelves and has done so long before Forbes Magazine declared it “A Wine-Lover’s Favorite Wine”.

But decades long relationships have a way of creating great opportunities, and grabbing a few cases of the Emmolo is a perfect example of a dinosaur bone being thrown my way. The 2020 Caymus Emmolo Merlot is a treat. It’s just so smooth and well-balanced with intricate flavors of black cherries, blueberries, mocha and and violet. It’s still early, I think I’d wait a year or two, but it’s hard to resist  this wine now as it’s so youthful and energetic.