Grand Durif (2019)

About this wine

The 2019 Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif, crafted from 100% Petite Sirah, presents a deep purple hue and a nose rich with aromas of ripe blueberries, wet earth, and saddle leather. On the palate, it offers a full-bodied experience with smooth tannins and flavors of plum, blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, and vanilla. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of fruit and spice, perfectly encapsulating the wine’s vigor and the varietal’s characteristic depth. This wine is produced in Suisun Valley, a region known for its warm days and cool nights, which contribute to the grapes' flavor concentration and complexity. The term 'Durif' is synonymous with Petite Sirah, a grape variety that originated in France and is known for producing dark, tannic wines with aging potential exceeding 20 years.

About the grape

Petite Sirah, also known as Durif, originated in France in the 1860s when botanist François Durif crossed Syrah and Peloursin grapes. While it didn't gain much popularity in its homeland, the grape found a welcoming environment in California, where it was introduced in the 1880s. Suisun Valley, located just southeast of Napa, has become particularly renowned for cultivating high-quality Petite Sirah, earning the nickname 'Petite Sirah Capital of the World.' The 2019 Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif showcases this grape's potential in the region, highlighting the Wagner family's commitment to exploring and promoting Suisun Valley's unique terroir.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 2019 Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif is crafted from 100% Petite Sirah grapes, also known as Durif, a variety renowned for producing deeply colored, tannic wines with flavors of dark berries and plums.
• 🌄 Suisun Valley, where this wine originates, is a lesser-known gem adjacent to Napa Valley, sharing a similar maritime climate that contributes to the cultivation of high-quality grapes.
• 🍷 The term 'Grand Durif' reflects the wine's grand style, emphasizing its opulent and luxurious character, with harmonious tannins and a rich, supple texture.
• 🌹 The 2019 vintage of this wine features a vibrant, velvety purple hue, with aromas of ripe blackberries, rose petals, and a hint of clove, leading to flavors of berry cobbler, leather, and dark chocolate.
• 🏡 The Wagner family, known for their iconic Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley, expanded into Suisun Valley to produce this wine, highlighting the region's potential for exceptional winemaking.

Palate profile

Producer

Caymus-Suisun Winery, established by the Wagner family in 2022, is located in California's Suisun Valley, an area recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1982. The Wagners, renowned for their Napa Valley wines, were drawn to Suisun Valley's pastoral beauty and high-quality fruit, leading them to farm grapes there and create the Caymus-Suisun label. The winery features a 5,500-square-foot glass-enclosed tasting pavilion designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, offering visitors immersive views of the surrounding vineyards and orchards. This expansion reflects the family's commitment to exploring and showcasing the diverse terroirs of California.