Caymus, Opus One, Mondavi & More | Overrated Underrated Napa Cabs

[@MsJavaWolf]

Didn't think you would call the Opus One underrated. It was the first expensive wine I ever had, the prices can be ridiculous but I also think that it's a very, very good wine.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I like when it was much cheaper hahahsh but yes it’s a solid wine

[@madfzr]

Great review. Lived in napa last 3 years. Spot on! Cheers! Give white rock soda canyon napa valley a try! Great value for $$$ all 35 yr old vines cave rested high end fruit without the big price tag

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh you live in a fantastic place!

[@Jonnhy99]

Funny enough I was planning to crack open a 2016 Martini today. Good to hear your view on that one. Perfect timing

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It was meant to be. Enjoy! It offers such good value.

[@Jonnhy99]

@@drmatthewhorkey thanks, just had it, excellent wine.

[@pici5533]

You can't rate a wine based on its past accomplishments. When you buy a wine that won judgement of paris like Stag's Leap or Ch Montelena, you have to keep in mind that wine is vintage specific, and was created by a different wine maker back then. This is why every wine is very special and unique. It is still worth it to try, but do not go into the mindset that it is still one of the best wines in the world. Have little expectations when tasting wine and try to understand what the wine is telling you when tasting. Also. Just being frank here, a lot of napa wines with most common names/labels everyone knows and loves are pretty much overrated and overpriced, you can get much better wines for the money. But , in western culture a lot of times we pay for the status that comes with a name over the actual content. Take that with a grain of salt, and I implore all drinkers of napa cabs to branch out to all other countries , varieties, and styles of wine, as well as other producers. And also, always decant.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Well said on all points!! This was having a little bit of fun. I agree with you on almost everything except...I prefer to see wines develop in the glass and over the course of the evening as the bottle gets emptied down.

[@pici5533]

I still implore you to decant. Pop the bottle, pour yourself a fresh 3-4 ounce glass to see how the wine behaves fresh out the bottle, and then decant the rest. Proper aeration and exposure to oxygen will bring out the best in a wine. Especially for wines that are high in tannin or acidity!

[@hottuna2006]

I would have loved to hear your thoughts on Insignia, Dominus, and SLV. Don't know if they're over/under but all of them I like. But I agree with Fabien. Napa wines in the 80's and early 90's were generally better than they are now. Effects of Parkerization and too much over-extraction is my theory. You were close with Chateau Montelena. 1973 was the vintage of Montelena they served. SLV was the same vintage as well, which won the red category as I'm sure you know.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I love SLV. There are soooo many wines in Napa, we couldn’t cover them all or the video would have been a few hours long hahahah

[@KL-op2ur]

yeah i agree with you both. i think older vintages of napa was great, but over-extracted now. the opposite imo with bordeaux. last 10-15 years have been much than in the 80's and 90s outside of say 1982 vintage. 2010 is shaping up to be a legendary vintage, 2009 was excellent, 2018 etc. even the lesser years are still very good. and pricewise 1st growth bordeaux is cheaper than a harlan estate

[@OmgItsIce]

Hey Matt! What were you drinking casually when you were asking Favien what the plan was for the day? I’ve had some light reds off that color that were super crushable before and I’m curious as to what some of the more casual wines you drink are! Thanks for the content!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Funny enough, I was going to put wine in the glass for this episode but I wasn’t feeling it so grape juice it is! Hahahah. I do drink a lot of deeper rosés and rosatos that are this color. Some natural Nerello Mascaleses can be this light too

[@Neurability]

Hi Matt, I liked and agreed with most of your under/over calls. I think the Silver Oak Napa and the Alexander Valley are two very different wines and the Napa, while not as good as the hype, is better than the Alexander Valley which really underwhelmed me. I have a question: Aren’t you comparing apples to oranges when you talk about preferring Bordeaux over Napa, since most of the Napa you rated are 100% Cabernet (or very close) and the Bordeaux are most definitely blends that make great use of Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, etc.? Interested in your view on this! Great video.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Overall as a category, I prefer the earthiness and acidity found in Bordeaux. It isn't true apples to apples in the comparison but this video is all about good fun and quick, off the cuff answers. Good call on the Napa over Alexander Valley.

[@Neurability]

I’m going to open a Branaire Ducru this week and see if I can pick up the earthiness thing in a St. Julien.

[@elliothm8370]

Caymus is SO overrated

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good call

[@matador677]

I understand why you would think that Caymus is overrated. Yes a lot of fruit, but considering that even most premium Napa cabs have the Gary Vaynerchuk oak monster taking over the place, it’s a refreshing departure from a lot of Napa cabs.

[@rjo8500]

I agree, but I keep it around because the majority of my guest appreciate it more than a Chateau Leoville Las Cases with some age on it.

[@ElvisFerbeyre]

Wow, I was expecting to see Far Niente and The Prisoner on this list. But hey, great video 👍

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I can’t fit everyone in… Prisoner doesn’t fit in here since it has a lot of Zinfandel in it too

[@Bryce-qh9rt]

I completely agree with your Louis Martini Napa Valley recommendation it’s fantastic wine for the money! The Alexander valley Louis martini cab is quite nice too for a few dollars cheaper!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Agreed!

[@JasmijnVos]

Love these, keep them coming

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏🍷

[@snowstyle08]

This summer at silver oak my friends and I had the 2018, 2013 and 2012 Napa cab. 2018 was good but overly oaky. 2013 and 12 were just fabulous. Best wine of the trip !!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

😮😮😮

[@thomaslt5547]

So what would be a good substitute for caymus?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ask your local shop owner, they will be more than happy to lead you

[@THE_Newt]

Love these, keep them coming!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahah thanks bud. I gave you a shout out in a future video about steak wines.

[@THE_Newt]

@@drmatthewhorkey yesssss!!!

[@jeremyquantrill4137]

Hi Matthew....Mayacamas Cab - which is the best vintage out of 2013, 2015 or 2018 please?...Also, is the Duckhorn Merlot 2017 any good or are other vintages preferred?...Cheers

[@drmatthewhorkey]

13 very good in all of Napa

[@NoSediment]

Great video!💥 I completely agree with You about Chateau Montelena, their CS is underrated. Opus One however, I think, i so overrated, especially for that price tag! 😬

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks. Yes yes the price is ridiculous but the wine quality is always very good IMO

[@glennjohnson4919]

Hah, I often prefer the blends over vineyards over single vineyard also. Interesting video!

[@glennjohnson4919]

Oops, this goes with Pinot noir video…

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahah no problem

[@richardfeldkamp1707]

Good segment. I agreed with most of your assessments. Here in Ontario, Opus One is horrendously expensive because the province has to buy it from a French negociant. Too many sticky fingers in the wholesale/retail chain. For me Caymus is one of the most overrated wines. Tasted and had a mouth feel similar to chocolate milk. I used to sell a lot of it, maybe because of that reason. Making a gross assumption, California cabs are good for parties and casual drinking but when there is dinner involved, go with Bordeaux or cabs from cooler climates.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhhhh I can only imagine the price of Opus One with Canadian Duty and then LCBO agent fees!

[@richardfeldkamp1707]

@@drmatthewhorkey LCBO wine pricing on the budget brands is usually higher than in the US. In the mid range and higher it is comparable to most US prices. Higher than Florida but less than Illinois and comparable to California. What you said about older Californian cabs is true, my 1980's tasting notes mention minty and green pepper notes which have disappeared from the overly extracted and chemically processed wines of today. As an aside, the first three times I had Heitz Martha's Vineyard in the mid 90's it had a lot of brett. Is it still the same today?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

No and it’s still minty

[@gopakumarnair4844]

Solid, yet affordable Napa cabs: Stag's Leap, Hess, Louis Martini, Duckhorn, and V Sattui.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good call!

[@powdork]

Faust has always been a goto for someone looking for excellent value in a Napa Cab. A little high alcohol but not a fruit bomb like Caymus. And really, it's a bordeaux blend but It's napa so it's called a cab.

[@simply417guy]

Just remember that the late great Steven Spurrier created the Judgement of Paris event to coincide with Americas Bicentennial . . . which was 1976(1776) 🇺🇸 🙌🏼 🍷 🥇

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yesssir. I took part in a mini-recreation of that with Mr Spurrier in 2018 too 😎

[@simply417guy]

@@drmatthewhorkey wow! that had to be an incredible experience 😃😃 I’m really enjoying your channel, I’m brand new to it. I’m a huge Wineking fan, so your vids are right up my alley too, keep it up 👍🏼😊

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you!

[@michaelz94454]

Thank you for saying it

[@samuelsmith4194]

That was fun! I think the definition and focus have to be clearly stated. Are we talking about ultimate quality or QPR? And in each category, we must drill down to be even more specific. Although I drink very little SoNapa wine these days, I have consumed a lot over many years, and I still have a very large collection going back to the mid-80s. There have been thousands of wonderful wines. Many producers have disappeared but their wines still sing. In the past 10 years, I have bought affordable SoNapa cab sauv after tasting at trade shows and choosing those wines that I think represent great winemaking and, in most cases, the ones that are built to last. In this amusing video, you and Fabien highlighted $100-200 wines and then some clocking in at $400 and above, up to the crazy cost of Screaming Eagle, on a par with just as crazy-costing Bordeaux and Burgundy. So are they under- or over-rated? You can only make that decision if you have the wealth to play at that table. Although I have had all of the wines mentioned, even including the rarified Screaming Eagle, I have no need to drink any wine priced over $100. For every one of these, there are dozens or more of exceptionally well made bottles of comparable taste and quality. Of course, it is the Law of Diminishing Returns. At what point does a wine that is very, very good, skyrocket in price due to its cult status? Certainly DRC is a great wine but, tasted blind, is its most expensive bottling 100 times better than its closest competitor? After being very long winded on your post, I think Montelena Estate, Beringer Private Reserve, Mondavi To Kalon Reserve and Silver Oak Alex, which sees much less oak, are still very good wines and aren't overpriced for what it takes to make them and run a reasonably profitable business. Louis Martini is an excellent value among quality SoNapa cab sauvs. There are many, many others, although rarely costing less than $40. Regular Caymus is overrated but it sure is a crowd-pleaser and the Special Selection is underrated compared to cult wines. In the final analysis, SoNapa cabs are one of the great pleasurable wines of the world but the cult wines are all overrated relative to price. Did I use up my word count?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ha ha ha I love this. I really appreciate your answer, insight, and wisdom when it comes to these wines. You obviously have a longer track record than I do. I agree with you, I think in the $30-$50 range you can drink world-class wines and I don’t wanna spend more than $100. The video was just lighthearted fun because a lot of people asked for it, I think the premise was just my opinion overall that includes the price and the quality. Of course, thanks to the budgets, wine in Napa and Sonoma are of exceptional quality most of the time, even if they’re not my cup of tea.

[@bbranco010]

Trefethen as a great value ! What would you say about Phelps or Chimney Rock?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Maybe a future episode… I do really love some of those Chinney Rocks bottlings

[@markyochoa]

I agree with Caymus. Also agree with Silver Oak :D woooooo

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhhh nice. Thanks for stopping by

[@marciobukowski9836]

Do one with american pinots. I'd love to know what you think about Santa Barbara wines, Belle Glos and others

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahah I love Santa Barbara and there's a lot of videos on the channel featuring the Pinots from there.

[@powdork]

Yes on Santa Barbara but the Wagner Family of Wines gets plenty of attention already. There's Sea Smoke, Au Bon Climat's several offerings, Melville and so many more.

[@lynngowdy860]

Hey Matthew, great to meet you today! With you on all your comments except…. 🤔… Silver Oak. Just not my thing, and as you said, there are so many Cabs in Napa. Enjoy Bordeaux!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It was SO nice to meet you too. I was careful to preface it as Silver Oak NAPA with BOTTLE AGE hahahahah

[@kachunhoi292]

What do you think of Spottswoode (Family Estate Grown Cab) ? Does it worth a try at that price?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Solid

[@kachunhoi292]

@@drmatthewhorkey Nice! I'll give it a try. I was thinking to choose between Caymus and Spottswoode. Now I know the answer😆. Really good video to help me avoid overrated wines haha

[@ifennaukaomah7872]

What about Nickel and Nickel and even Far Niente? Overrated or Underrated.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Maybe for a future episode ;) But it only matters if you like them!

[@samuelsmith4194]

I'm in the wine trade, where we are offered a pre-sell on Nickel and Nickel wines once a year. I taste them all and buy a few wooden six-packs of the ones that suit my palate. I think these wines are very representative of Napa Valley. They are balanced and age well. They are not super-extracted.

[@brianlaliberte8925]

Try Quintessa, Ingelnook and Pine Ridge in Napa Valley

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I have, some very nice wines

[@RCTricking]

The only one I've tried is Opus One and definitely won't be doing so far a while because of the price... :O It was not a let down though! next time I go for a top wine (maybe from this list?) I'll try to stay around/below $100 a bottle vs $300

[@drmatthewhorkey]

You can get a helluva lotta wine for 100$

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

I have a case of Screaming eagle 2006…. When you come to Austin! And I am a founder’s member at all Harlan wineries….

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Wowwwzzasss you are rolling!!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

@@drmatthewhorkey you have to enjoy your hard earned money…you can’t take it with you.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

good philosophy!

[@robertkatz8093]

Why didn't you discuss Caymus Special Selection? That's their premium wine, not the Napa.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good point, their flagship wine is the one that most people come across though

[@miguelloor3173]

Beaulieu Vineyards private reserve are great

[@drmatthewhorkey]

They can be good!

[@secretsleepover7052]

good vid!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thank you

[@CiaoBello21]

Silverado is $75 2019 estate grown according to their website

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Can be had much lower on retail shelves

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

Agree with you Napa cabs are very expensive..in my opinion Bordeaux wines are more value wines!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I do generally agree! There are some exceptions but you do you know your stuff.

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

@@drmatthewhorkey my knowledge and experience is nothing compare to you …I learn lot from you.

[@user-md3rb6uz6b]

What wine are you twirling their boss

[@drmatthewhorkey]

That was just a rosé

[@dung0610]

I am surprised that not too many people will talk about Dominus...

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Why?

[@dung0610]

@@drmatthewhorkey Jus I found Dominus is also a vey good wine to have, but does not seem it is attracting a lot of attention.

[@jefflaporte2598]

The prices on napa cabs nowadays are insane. There are a few that are decent and offer good value still. Montelena was one of them. I have a few bottles. BV has some decent value as well. The tapestry reserves are decent in the 50 dollar range. Georges De Latour is over 100 but I still buy it. Chateau Buena Vista is an excellent value priced in the 30's. The Rodney Strong reserve is also very good with some age on it. I'm sure those 1000 dollar plus bottles of wine are good but I feel likeIwould get more enjoyment out of life buying 20 bottles at 50bucks instead.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good call on Buena Vista! I’m a fan of the entry level Silverado and always recommend it. Again, Napa Cabs are a bit pricey for most people though

[@jefflaporte2598]

@@drmatthewhorkey I added it to my wish list. :).

[@spirestocksnotification6710]

Louis Martini as you said one of the best wine QVRs out there. What about Earthquake from Michael David and on upper end Cade Howell Mountain

[@frankmorris7751]

Louis Martini is a great value along w/BR Cohn. Screw Disney! Why is everyone overlooking Venge? Great wines at a great price point value.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Venge is wonderful too!

[@davidl.7317]

Caymus used to be better. I still like Silver Oak. What about Lewis Cellars or Joseph Phelps Insignia?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Insignia is nice but I wouldn’t buy it bc of price

[@Diesel0807]

I find Lewis to be oak bombs, their fruit sources also don't justify the price

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

Agree with you with all your ratings.. Caymus and silver oak both are overrated wines!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I think Silver Oak with age is surprisingly underrated… I don’t like it young though

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

@@drmatthewhorkey I do have some aged silver oak in my cellar. Will try them

[@canaltijuanero]

Bonanza is the second wine of Caymus for 20 dll and its extrmely much better than that yellow label ugly wine lol...

[@drmatthewhorkey]

😮😮😮

[@Johncycl]

You kept saying 1973…which was the correct vintage just the Judgement was 1976. Partial credit

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yeppers brain fart!

[@bigv7267]

Sorry, Harlan is $1600+, not $1k. Caymus is not for wine drinkers - unless it is $20. You're right on Duckhorn especially 3 Palms Merlot. I'll hold out Corison for a well-made cab at a fair price.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I guess I haven’t picked up an allocation lately 🤪

[@kieranfearon6592]

Dont u ever discuss rose wine.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

How much should YOU spend on ROSÉ? Can it be GREAT WINE??? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJy5e31jiNh1o68

[@psschroe42]

Silver Oak way overrated

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I think their Napa label with age is much better than the Alexander Valley

[@gozer825]

Napa cab definitely over over rated but Merlots are underrated.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I do loooovvve Three Palms Merlot

[@elektrik_exekutioner6822]

Why do you feel the need to laugh at every single name he drops?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Why does that bother you? Just a candid reaction

[@elektrik_exekutioner6822]

@@drmatthewhorkey I just don't feel like any of these wines are laughable.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Not laughing at the wines, they were given to me at random. Prolly just a response while I gather my thots

[@DR-zr5rs]

Caymus completely overrated and manipulated …. #donewithit #overrated

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🤪🤣

[@anthonyescareno]

I like your videos and find them interesting, BUT your laughing can be quite annoying. You laughed at the very mention of the name of the brand. I feel lost when you laugh, because it seems like there’s an inside joke im unaware of.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

No inside joke, just spontaneous bc the wines are mentioned randomly without prior knowledge

[@connorwinton4343]

screagle is overrated for what it is

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It is pricey!

[@edriley2703]

Looks like you're drinking red Kool aid

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahaha

[@guillermofernandez7414]

Don’t agree Caymus is a great wine

[@drmatthewhorkey]

If you like it, then it’s all good

[@msmc2728]

why do you laugh at every intro?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I was in a good mood and we were having fun.

[@rguard52]

Why the hell do you laugh at every wine that’s announced?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Bc I am having fun

[@rguard52]

@@drmatthewhorkey that’s not having fun. That’s being a weird ass. If it’s your gimmick that’s a weird gimmick. But it takes away from focusing on your actual content.

[@thebanfflocal2366]

@@drmatthewhorkeystill no reason to be laughing at everything, why the fuck are you laughing so much

[@marcgabor9690]

Napa Cabs - OVERRATED

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Well if you factor in price…