"A dense, dark red, this wine opens up with the scent of ripe plums and cherries, layered with hints of unsweetened baking chocolate. On the palate, it is powerful, concentrated, supple and persistent, with generous flavors of French oak that support but don’t dominate. The wine carries through to a complete finish, balanced and integrated with soft tannins that imbue it with both structure and balance."

Joseph Wagner, Owner and Winemaker Wagner Family Wines.

This wine is not submitted to the reviewers and wine critics as it"s an anomaly on how its grown in Argentina and fermented in Napa and can"t be classified. But if your a Caymus, Belle Glos or Emmolo fan you know the Wagner family"s style and this bottling will drink every bit up to your expectations. It also has no vintage or AVA designation due to the complications of being grown in South America and fermented and bottled in North America - The Red Tape wasn"t worth the trouble!

Our Regular price $49.99

Special Private Sale for Existing Wine Cabinet Patrons Only!

Tonight"s Price is so low we were asked not to publish it.
Call us at 703-668-9463 (WINE)
(All purchases must be accompanied by a credit card.)

Our Thoughts.....

Inky red in the glass, this wine opens up with the scent of dark plums and

cherries, layered with hints of dark dark chocolate. On the palate, it is powerful, very concentrated, supple and persistent, with generous
flavors of French oak that support but don’t dominate the fruit. The wine carries through to a complete finish, balanced and integrated with soft tannins that imbue it with both structure and balance.

Their Story, their Words......
For more than 40 years we have been making dark, rich red wine from Napa Valley. We are also, perhaps not surprisingly, avid consumers of diverse wines from around the globe. We still love to learn about California with its array of soils and extreme maritime-influenced climate, but we have also found that venturing far afield helps us see what is close by in unexpected ways. And for us, this perspective inspired us to experiment in a way we wouldn’t have imagined even 10 or 15 years ago. It all started with appreciating good Malbec. Years ago, we considered whether we could make such a wine here in Napa Valley, but we had no luck making quality Malbec from vineyards we had planted either in the area of Rutherford or the elevated mountain domain of Atlas Peak. Our quest began in the winter of 2009/2010 when we headed for the Andes

Mountains, a place renowned for intense sunlight and high altitude viticulture. Our goal: to ship grapes in a way that mirrored how table grapes are shipped around the world – protecting them through delicate care and chilling. After venturing to the Andes Mountains and purchasing top quality grapes, our experiment would finally be realized. “Reverse season” winemaking allowed use of our well-equipped winery to make this wine. In fact, for 39 years, our winemaking equipment and tanks just gathered dust for the 10 months between the harvest seasons.
Over time, another idea started to take shape. Could we create a wine here at Caymus using fruit from another part of the world? Was there a lesson for us in the now commonplace ability to find high-quality fruit at the local grocery store (including grapes), sourced from thousands of miles away? There are tons of fruit being shipped on ocean freighters every day, and so we considered this project to be not so crazy after all. RED SCHOONER is a “Red Wine of the World,” an experiment of more than five years in the making. This third bottling is made from Mendoza Malbec grapes yet produced into wine and barrel aged at our home location of Caymus Vineyards right in the center of the Napa Valley.

Our quest began in the winter of 2009/2010 when we headed for the Andes Mountains, a place renowned for intense sunlight and high altitude viticulture. Our goal: to ship grapes in a way that mirrored how table grapes are shipped around the world – protecting them through delicate care and chilling. After venturing to the Andes Mountains and purchasing top quality grapes, our experiment would finally be realized. “Reverse season” winemaking allowed use of our well-equipped winery to make this wine. In fact, for 39 years, our winemaking equipment and tanks just gathered dust for the 10 months between the harvest seasons.

Upon receiving the fruit, we employed a slow and delicate fermentation process to extract deep color and rich tannins, and then aged the wine for 15 months in French oak barrels (50% new), with bottling taking place in September of 2013. We have been very excited about Red Schooner for five years and now with an overwhelming welcome to Voyages 1 and 2, Voyage 3 is ready for release. The Red Schooner label and name evoke the challenge – along with the thrill – of voyage and discovery. Since our experiment falls outside the normal rules and we think our “chill-and-ship” may even be a first in the world of fine wine making, we were unable to use standard labeling practices. You won’t find a vintage date, varietal or grape origin on our label. Instead Red Schooner is a “Red Wine of the World,” and it will be known by the voyage from which it was produced.

The Wagner Family

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 of Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, Caymus has focused their efforts in the production of quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Today’s production is 65,000 cases.

Caymus Vineyards remains 100% family-owned by the Wagners. Charlie, Lorna Belle, and Chuck worked together as a remarkable team for over 30 years building Caymus Cabernet. Today, Chuck, his two sons, Charlie and Joe, and one daughter, Jenny, have joined the family team. Farming grapes remain the priority with the family farming about 350 acres of choice Napa Valley land.

The Wagners took the name Caymus from the Mexican land grant known as Rancho Caymus, given to George Yount in 1836, which encompassed what eventually became the town of Rutherford and much of the surrounding area.

For five generations, my family has lived and loved the Napa Valley. Our grandfather settled here in the 1800s and from that moment forward, we"ve grown to understand there is simply no substitute for an intimate knowledge of the land that only comes by "living" in the vineyard. Working the land with our own hands has given us insights into California winemaking that can"t be found in any book or corporate farm manual.

Chuck Wagner continues to direct the world-reknown Cabernet program at Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley; Charlie is making exquisite Chardonnay at Mer Soleil in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County; Joseph is making fine Pinot Noir under the Belle Glos label in the coastal areas of California; Jenny is learning the ropes here at Caymus and ah yes, our longtime winemaker for Conundrum, Jon Bolta, continues his craft of making that puzzling, white wine blend.

The Wines!!
Weingut Salwey in Oberrotweil is proud of its history as a classic family-run estate. Yet that tradition only tells part of the story.
Konrad is the third generation of Salwey to run the winery, which focuses on Pinot varieties traditional to the Kaiserstuhl region.
The estate is renowned for its fine vineyards,including three "Erste Lagen": Oberrotweiler Henkenberg, Eichberg and Kirchberg.
Weingut Salwey is a member of the Verband der Deutschen Prädikatsweingüter (VDP).

Konrad Salwey is renowned for his willingness to experiment. He knows it takes daring to try new techniques, and nerve to move on if need be — all in the interest of making better wine. While Weißburgunder and Spätburgunder are well represented in his portfolio, his grand passion is and remains Grauburgunder, the estate"s flagship varietal.
The wines are strongly shaped by the loess and weathered volcanic soils of the vineyards, and are always fully fermented. In the cellar, nature is provided with plenty of time and space to do her work. Our job is to guide the other variables, including strict standards in the vineyards, a 100% selective hand harvest and wild yeast fermentation in large wooden barrels. Our hands-off approach in the cellar also means that the wines are neither fined nor filtered.

"All in keeping to the motto: as much as needed, and not a whit more."

Salwey Pinot Blanc $22.99
Also known in France, where it originated as a mutation of Pinot Noir. The berries can vary in color from yellowish to bluish-violet producing wines that range from white to slightly pink. The most successful wines from the grape come from the Collio in Friuli (Northeast Italy), where the wines are light- to medium-bodied, crisp, dry and, because of their high acidity, complementary to the region"s foods like speck, Prosciutto di San Daniele and polenta.
In Alsace, where the grape takes a back seat to more popular varietals like Gewürztraminer and Riesling, it is generally rich and honeyed.

Force of Nature Pinot Gris $24.99
Delicate yet flavorful, this Pinot Gris has a light golden color and a complex, fruit-scented nose that reveals layers of mango, jasmine tea, cinnamon, and cantaloupe. Smooth, smokey toasted walnut and honey balance the fruits, and give way to a crisp, lingering finish full of freshly cut grass and peaches. It should keep for 2-3 years.

Salwey Pinot Noir $24.99
The berries were quite small in this vintage, which gave the wines more concentration and a rich fruit character, but thanks to the loess soils, this wine still shows beautiful minerality as well.

Finished dry; 100% Pinot Noir. After a cold maceration for 7 days, fermentation took place on the skins, after which the wine was racked into seasoned barriques for malolactic and aging. After 12 months in barrel, this was bottled without filtration.

Owen Roe "Ex Umbris" Syrah $29.99
We have done it again with the 2015 Ex Umbris Syrah. A deep garnet hued Syrah sourced from our own estate vineyards, Outlook and Union Gap, and DuBrul and Red Willow Vineyard, this Yakima Valley Syrah is bursting with lovely dark fruit aromas. Black cherry, boysenberry, blueberry and plum swirl through the glass. Flavors of dried fruits, spice, pepper and layers of pie filling, berry cobbler and cigar box fill the palate. Enjoy now after 1-2 hours decantation or cellar for 6+ months before opening your first bottle. This wine is complex and will age well for many years, so stock up and store away. You will be glad you did!

Force of Nature Cabernet Sauvignon $24.99
Deep garnet in color with a hint of purple, the Force of Nature 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon has pronounced notes of ripe black cherry and currant with some tar, mint, licorice and roasted coffee beans. Full-bodied with firm grainy tannins and crisp acid, it has plenty of expressive dark berry fruit and earth flavors, finishing long and lingering notes of cloves and anise. Drink it now to 2020+.

The Wines!!

Becker Pinot Gris $24.99
Since a long time it´s home is the Palatinate region and also known as Tokaj. It´s a great grape variety that is very elegant. Rather opening a great appeal through all quality levels. Our Pinot Gris are, because of the soil and the location, full-bodied with a pronounced spiciness and ideally suited for meals.

Meyer-Fonne" Edelzwicker, Alsace 1 Liter $19.99
Dry, floral, and complex, this beauty will make a believer out of anyone who hasn’t yet jumped on the Alsace bandwagon. A regular-size bottle just wouldn’t do.

Von Armand Riesling $22.99
Von Buhl Armand Riesling Kabinett is a beautiful dry organic Riesling from the Pfalz region of Germany. The Reichsrat von Buhl estate has been in existence for over 200 years. Part of the reason for their success is the special attention they pay to small yields and highly selective harvesting. The Riesling grown in the complex loess and clay soils of the Jesuitengarten is especially notable for its amazing wallop of ripe fruit and almost inexhaustible finish.

Becker Rose" $21.99

100% Pinot Noir from the Saignee" method brings a lush, but crisp, palate with an aroma of cherries and red raspberries. maintains its bright fruit with a good chill. Gem-like color draws you to another glass.
Perfect for summer evenings on the deck

Becker Pinot Noir $24.99

"His Majesty, The Red Wine King"

He was from the beginning, our main interest. And our ambition. Because the terroir and two excellent locations are ideal for this variety with powerful limestone soil. As evidenced by the results. Our Pinots are very concentrated, have firm ripe tannins and combine fine elegance with a wide range of red fruit flavors. For many years, they are among the best Burgundy wines of Germany. This outstanding quality we owe much reputation and rank.

It"s been a good week! Tons of new beer has come in, the pools are open (I"ll be at the Lifetime pool in Reston!), and it"s almost time for NFL training camp! Here"s a few highights - Dave

As always, check us out on Facebook for a more detailed list (and photos!). - Dave

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Across the World 2017: Maybe the best box of collaborations EVER! Featuring TWELVE different beers all made with a different brewery!
The Bruery Raspberry Sundae, Tree House Brewing Co. East Meets West IPA, Avery Brewing Co. Dry-Hopped Barleywine, Boneyard Beer West Coast Style DIPA, Surly Brewing Co. Ginger Lager, Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Dry-Hopped Berliner-Style Weisse, Mikkeller Brewery Thai-Style Iced Tea Ale, Garage Project Campout Porter, Fuller"s Brewery Atlantic-Style Vintage Ale, Ayinger Brewery Dunkle Weisse, Kiuchi Brewery White IPA with Yuzu, and Duvel Moortgat Hoppy Belgian-Style Golden Ale! All brewed with Sierra Nevada!

Lagunitas Born Again Yesterday Unfiltered Fresh Hopped Ale: 92 points from BeerAdvocate! "Pours a hazy glowing golden with a big fluffy eggshell white head that falls leaving great retention and sticky lacing. The aromas have a nice blend of citrus and tropical notes along with some bready malts. The flavors follow the nose perfectly. Some orange and grapefruit along with some pineapple and mango. Some hints of pine. It"s bittersweet with a solid malt backbone along with solid hop bitterness and hop flavors. Alcohol goes unnoticed. Mouthfeel is nice. It"s medium-bodied with moderate carbonation. It"s very fluffy and slightly creamy. Smooth and easy to drink."

The Bruery Saule Anniversary Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels: I look forward to this release every year! Saule is French for “willow”, a traditional nine-year anniversary gift. Our ninth anniversary ale, Saule, follows in the footsteps of our anniversary releases before it, which are loosely based on an English-style old ale, fermented with our house yeast strain, aged in bourbon barrels and blended using the solera method. This means that a portion of each anniversary ale is saved in oak barrels and blended in with the next year’s production, providing more complexity and depth of character as the years go by. The result is layered in robust and complex flavors of toffee, caramel, dark fruit, vanilla and oak.

Adroit Theory Illusion of Safety Raspberry Gose: 4.08 Stars from Untapp"d! "Pure Raspberry Smoothie. I could drink this on the hottest of days and enjoy every second of it. So good, very fruity. Super refreshing."

Hardywood Cuvee Peach White Wine Barrel Aged Peach Tripel: No Ratings Yet! "Hardywood Cuvée Peach is artfully blended by our barrel master from small batches of Peach Tripel aged in white wine barrels at varying levels of maturation from three months to more than a year. The resulting beer is beautifully complex with yeast derived stone fruit esters that harmonize with juicy peach undertones. This sparkling refresher offers a pleasantly dry finish with the slightest hint of vanilla from the toasted French Oak barrels."

Today, June 8 is ...

National Best Friends Day

and

National Name Your Poison Day!

Kate, Nancy, Heidi K, Heidi C, Natalie,

Bill, Rob, Dave, Rande, and Mike

Make Everyday a Special Occasion at

The Wine Cabinet!

CAYMUS Family of Wines
RED SCHOONER
VOYAGE 4
A RED WINE OF THE WORLD

Featured Products

Today, June 8 is ... National Best Friends Day and National Name Your Poison Day!