Caymus Conundrum Proprietary Red 2021 (750ml)

Sourced from premier California winegrowing regions, Conundrum Red features dark red varietals including Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is serious yet lighthearted, complex and approachable.  With lavish fruit flavors and baking chocolate, this wine has smooth tannins that provide a distinctive, soft character.  Be daring and drink slightly chilled to enhance the fruit profile and enjoy any time of year.

 

More than 25 years ago, Conundrum was a bold experiment – today it’s still about doing things your own way and daring to explore.

 

Twenty-five years later, we’re still exploring.

 

It all began at the dinner table.  Charlie Wagner Sr., who co-founded Caymus Vineyards in 1972 with his wife, Lorna, and son, Chuck, would mix wines to find the perfect glass to pair with his meal.  No one blended wines back then, so his experiment was pretty radical.

 

Fast forward to 1989, when Conundrum White was born, quickly taking off with its mysterious, tropical notes and amazing versatility.  Conundrum Red, serious yet approachable, was introduced in 2011.  Today, it’s Charlie’s grandson, Charlie Wagner II, who keeps Conundrum as original as ever.

 

We believe in being both serious and playful, and this wine fits the bill.  A rich, dark red, it offers aromas of ripe berries and plums, warmed by a hint of cocoa.  Dried fruit and the taste of chocolate-covered cherries come through on the palate, while a wisp of smokiness makes this wine – created from dark red varietals including Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon – the perfect complement to grilled meats and full-flavored dishes.  Tannins are rounded out by the ripeness of the berries for a texturous but smooth mouth feel.  The finish makes us think of lingering at the end of a long evening and still not wanting to go home, with layers of rich flavor that teasingly trail off.

 

From lush Napa to moody Monterey

 

We source Conundrum in places that are both famed and off the beaten track – in Napa, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Benito, Solano and Tulare Counties.  Its character starts in the vineyard, in small towns where families have been farming for generations and there’s always plenty of good conversation, great grapes and more to explore.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Nose:  Chocolate brownie and cherry are balanced by notes of bar-b-que, mesquite smoke and leather.  Rich but not sweet, with intoxicating layers.

 

Palate:  Dark chocolate with ripe plums, a hint of blackberry and integrated wood.  This wine features a defining texture – produced from a chalky tannin character that is both round and grippy.

 

Style Differentiator:  Dry yet rich, with lavish fruit.  Be daring and drink slightly chilled to enhance the flavor profile.

 

Vineyards:  Sourced from premier wine regions in California where red varietals thrive – producing Conundrum Red led us to even greater exploration of California.

 

Varietals:  Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon each add distinct aromas, flavors and character to the blend.

 

Suggested food pairings from winemaker Charlie Wagner:  Asian, Indian or Mexican; smoked meats or grilled hamburgers – don’t forget the fries!  “The beauty of going outside one growing region in California and venturing into others is that you really have no rules when it comes to what you can blend.”  Charlie Wagner, Conundrum Wines

 

 

Caymus Vineyards & The Wagner Family of Wine

 

The Wagners have roots in Napa Valley dating back to the 1850s, with a long family history of grape growing and winemaking.

 

In 1972, Chuck Wagner started Caymus Vineyards with his late parents, Lorna and Charlie Wagner Sr.  Working together for decades, they established Caymus Cabernet as one of the region’s most celebrated wines.  Today, Chuck continues to produce two world-renowned Cabernet Sauvignons, Caymus Napa Valley and Caymus Special Selection.

 

In addition, Chuck is head of winemaking for Bonanza, a California Cabernet Sauvignon that celebrates the endless discovery of vineyard land throughout the state.  He also produces Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif, a Petite Sirah from neighboring Suisun Valley.  A “hidden gem” wine region only a short drive from Napa, Suisun has become the Wagners’ second home, with exceptional growing conditions for a range of varietals.

 

Endless exploration of California and the next generation

 

Since Caymus Vineyards was founded, the Wagner family has worked with the soils and climate of Napa Valley to develop techniques for farming grapes and producing fine wine.  They are now applying those techniques to making a range of wines from other parts of California and beyond.  Their winemaking business remains entirely family-run, and two of Chuck’s children, Charlie and Jenny Wagner, now work alongside him.

 

Chuck, Charlie and Jenny all feel extremely fortunate to be spending their days exploring California in pursuit of making extraordinary wine, year after year and generation after generation.

 

Charlie Wagner

 

Charlie is the person behind Mer Soleil winery and vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands (within Monterey County).  Through his passion and vision, the drama and rugged beauty of California’s central coast are reflected in his wines.

 

Charlie also leads Conundrum, which was inspired in the late ‘80s by his grandfather’s experiments at the dinner table.  Mixing different varietals was unheard of back then, and Conundrum helped to ignite the now-popular blend category.  In addition, Charlie leads Red Schooner – which now includes two “Red Wines of the World,” a Malbec made from grapes grown in Argentina and a red blend made from grapes grown in Australia.

 

While Charlie produces more expensive wines, he also has a strong interest in making good wines at affordable prices.  Charlie launched Sea Sun, a $20 wine.  Reflecting the state’s unique landscape, Sea Sun offers both a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from premier coastal regions, each holding broad appeal for a wide range of palates and pocketbooks.

 

Jenny Wagner

 

Coming from a long line of farmers and winemakers on both maternal and paternal sides, Jenny Wagner “inherited” her avid love of farming.  Dusty hands, pushing the boundaries in viticulture, and always experimenting with winemaking techniques will continue to be her advantage.

 

Jenny has created a distinguished and singular style in her Emmolo wines – Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sparkling.  She also oversees production of hillside Zinfandel along with several experimental varieties planted under the Caymus-Suisun label in Suisun Valley, including Italian, French, and Greek varieties.

 

The Emmolo label is named after Jenny’s maternal side, who arrived in Napa Valley from Sicily in 1923.  For many years, the Emmolos ran a rootstock nursery, providing grapevines to many of the state’s grapegrowers.

 

Now that the Wagners have expanded to Suisun Valley, Jenny has also become the winemaker for The Walking Fool Red Blend, named after her great-great grandfather Johannes Glos.  The Walking Fool is the second of Caymus-Suisun’s flagship wines alongside Grand Durif.  In addition, Jenny is actively involved in Suisun Valley, sitting on the board of the Suisun Valley Vintners and Growers Association.