Mayacamas Napa Valley, California Wine Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay

Mayacamas

Everything about Mayacamas Vineyards California, Cabernet Sauvignon wine producer profile, wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, history of the property, information on their wine making techniques, terroir and soil. You can also read about the Grapes used for California wine and learn about the extensive History of Napa Valley, California Wines

Mayacamas History, Overview

Mayacamas is one of the older vineyard sites in Napa Valley. It was first cultivated in 1889 by John Henry Fisher. John Fisher was responsible for building the original, stone winery. In those early days, the vineyard was planted to a filed blend that included Zinfandel, one of the more popular grapes at the time. The vineyard died out by 1916, and eventually became fallow. The property was sold to Jack Taylor and Mary Taylor in 1941, who replanted the vineyard.

In 1968, the Taylor family sold Mayacamas to Bob Travers and Elinor Travers. Robert Travers did not come from a winemaking background. He learned the trade from Joe Heitz, of Heitz vineyards. Perhaps, due to the influence of Joseph Heitz, Bob Travers began planting Cabernet. Under the direction of Bob Travers, Mayacamas Vineyards produced sublime examples of classic, Cabernet Sauvignon. Few people know, but some of the best wines ever produced at Mayacamas were made without the use of new oak, or modern, fermentation tanks. Many of their best wines were vinified in large, redwood vats! The wines were aged in barrels that could be more than 50 years old. By the time the Travers family sold Mayacamas Vineyards, the cellars were dilapidated and the vineyards needed replanting.

In 2013, Charles Banks. a previous, co-owner of Screaming Eagle purchased the Mayacamas Vineyards from Bob Travers. Bob Travers has been the owner of Mayacamas Vineyards since 1968. One of the first moves Charles Banks did was to bring in Andy Erickson as the winemaker. He also hired Annie Favia to manage the vineyards. Charles Banks knew Andy Erickson since their days together at Screaming Eagle, so it was a natural fit.

In September, 2016, Charles Banks was arrested on fraud charges that emanated from a civil law suit with Tim Duncan, of the San Antonio Spurs. Charles Banks was found guilty and sentenced to 4 years in prison on the fraud charges and in 2017, was forced to sell his shares in Mayacamas to his partners in the vineyard.

Mayacamas Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

The Mayacamas Vineyards property is a whopping 475 acres. But only 50 acres are cultivated with vines. The vineyard has various elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,400. The Mayacamas Vineyards are located not far from Sonoma, at the peak of Mt. Veeder. Perhaps their best parcels are planted in the portion of the vineyards known as the Amphitheater Block.

Mayacamas Vineyards is famous for their classic, mountain fruit, style of Cabernet Sauvignon. This is their flagship wine. The wine is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The property also produces a Chardonnay, “Terraces,” which takes its name from their steep, terraced, hillside vineyard and additionally, they also produce their version of a Bordeaux Right Bank look alike wine wine made from 100% Merlot grapes.

Serving and Decanting Mayacamas with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Mayacamas wines are best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Young vintages of their red wine can be decanted for 1-3 hours, depending on the character of the vintage. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Mayacamas is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, ribs, hamburgers, barbecue, roasted, braised, grilled dishes and stews. Mayacamas is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.

The white wine of Mayacamas is best served with all types of seafood and shellfish, sushi, sashimi, chicken, veal, pork and cheese.

www.mayacamas.com

Mayacamas Vineyards Wine Tasting Notes

15 Vintages 74,368 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2015
93
Medium-bodied, bright, fresh, crisp, crunchy, peppery red fruits, come along with forest floor and leafy nuances. With a lean to old-school classically designed California Cabernet, this is going to need until at least 2025 to become fun to drink.

Medium-bodied, bright, fresh, crisp, crunchy, peppery red fruits, come along with forest floor and leafy nuances. With a lean to old-school classically designed California Cabernet, this is going to need until at least 2025 to become fun to drink.

5,513 Views   Tasted
2013
93
Powerful, tannic, backward, structured and fresh, the wine is filled with crisp, crunchy red fruit, smoke, thyme and licorice. The wine is concentrated, layered and with a bright character to the finish. This demands at least a decade and perhaps double that in the cellar before it's ready for prime time consumption.

Powerful, tannic, backward, structured and fresh, the wine is filled with crisp, crunchy red fruit, smoke, thyme and licorice. The wine is concentrated, layered and with a bright character to the finish. This demands at least a decade and perhaps double that in the cellar before it's ready for prime time consumption.

5,845 Views   Tasted
2009
86
Tart, bright, crisp and acidic, the medium bodied wine felt hard. Better on the nose than the palate, with its red fruits, I know some people will like this a lot more than I did. It's just not much fun to drink.

Tart, bright, crisp and acidic, the medium bodied wine felt hard. Better on the nose than the palate, with its red fruits, I know some people will like this a lot more than I did. It's just not much fun to drink.

3,679 Views   Tasted
2006
83
It's too bad Mayacamas does not make wine like they used to. Their Cabernet Sauvignon from the 70's is still going strong today. Sadly, this lighter style of wine offers tart cranberry, spice and cherry, medium body and a tart, rustic finish. Some tasters will like this more than I did. It's not my style of wine.

It's too bad Mayacamas does not make wine like they used to. Their Cabernet Sauvignon from the 70's is still going strong today. Sadly, this lighter style of wine offers tart cranberry, spice and cherry, medium body and a tart, rustic finish. Some tasters will like this more than I did. It's not my style of wine.

4,269 Views   Tasted
1994
80
Much more interesting on its tobacco, earth, spice, cassis and cranbery nose than on its shrill, faded, tart, red berry finish.

Much more interesting on its tobacco, earth, spice, cassis and cranbery nose than on its shrill, faded, tart, red berry finish.

4,811 Views   Tasted
1979
80
Hanging on to life by a very, very thin thread, you could sense a bit of lemon buried in the petrol nose and finish to make it interesting to taste a California Chardonnay at close to 40 years of age.

Hanging on to life by a very, very thin thread, you could sense a bit of lemon buried in the petrol nose and finish to make it interesting to taste a California Chardonnay at close to 40 years of age.

2,238 Views   Tasted
1978
96
Provenance matters. This bottle was stunning! Power, austerity, grace, and complexity are what you find in the non-stop waves of blackberries, currants, tobacco leaf, tart cherries, wet forest floor, and spice. The chewy fruit hits all the right notes with its balance between sweet and tart. This was simply a stunning example of classic California Cabernet Sauvignon at its peak. Drink from 2023-2030.

Provenance matters. This bottle was stunning! Power, austerity, grace, and complexity are what you find in the non-stop waves of blackberries, currants, tobacco leaf, tart cherries, wet forest floor, and spice. The chewy fruit hits all the right notes with its balance between sweet and tart. This was simply a stunning example of classic California Cabernet Sauvignon at its peak. Drink from 2023-2030.

2,044 Views   Tasted
The herbal, olive, green pepper and leafy components overrode the bright red pit fruits and dominated the wine. The green was there on the nose and palate, along with strong cedar and tobacco notes and a semi-austere character. Fans of this style will like it a lot more than I did.

The herbal, olive, green pepper and leafy components overrode the bright red pit fruits and dominated the wine. The green was there on the nose and palate, along with strong cedar and tobacco notes and a semi-austere character. Fans of this style will like it a lot more than I did.

2,727 Views   Tasted
1978
84
Tart red fruit and earthy scents in the nose. Rustic in personality, the fruit is fading and leaves you a tart, cranberry, drying sensation in the finish. Drink up.

Tart red fruit and earthy scents in the nose. Rustic in personality, the fruit is fading and leaves you a tart, cranberry, drying sensation in the finish. Drink up.

3,198 Views   Tasted
1978
60
Deep gold in color, with a tart, orange character, to say this was past its prime would be polite. On the bright side, it was wet, had ABV and a tiny bit of orange fruit remaining.

Deep gold in color, with a tart, orange character, to say this was past its prime would be polite. On the bright side, it was wet, had ABV and a tiny bit of orange fruit remaining.

2,323 Views   Tasted
1976
87
A good ringer for a fading 1970's Bordeaux wine in a blind tasting due to its earth, tobacco, cedar and cranberry, cherry nose. Medium bodied, slightly tart in its red fruit finish, this requires drinking.

A good ringer for a fading 1970's Bordeaux wine in a blind tasting due to its earth, tobacco, cedar and cranberry, cherry nose. Medium bodied, slightly tart in its red fruit finish, this requires drinking.

3,542 Views   Tasted
1974
94
Rustic, bright, crisp, earthy, leafy and spicy red fruits are accompanied by tobacco nuances. The wine retains density, lift and length, as well as complexity, finishing with sharp, sweet and tart red fruits.

Rustic, bright, crisp, earthy, leafy and spicy red fruits are accompanied by tobacco nuances. The wine retains density, lift and length, as well as complexity, finishing with sharp, sweet and tart red fruits.

3,347 Views   Tasted
Stern, tart, yet, lively, fresh, aromatic, and popping with a cornucopia of herbs, red fruits, forest floor and tobacco scents. Full bodied, reserved, but with a strict, finesse bearing, it's hard to see this getting better, but I said that about 10 years ago too!

Stern, tart, yet, lively, fresh, aromatic, and popping with a cornucopia of herbs, red fruits, forest floor and tobacco scents. Full bodied, reserved, but with a strict, finesse bearing, it's hard to see this getting better, but I said that about 10 years ago too!

3,929 Views   Tasted
The best bottle of this wine I recall tasting. The wine had a sweet and tart cherry quality, that paired perfectly with the earth, tobacco and thyme notes. Full bodied, slightly rustic, but still utterly charming, this was quite nice and a perfect example of what classic California Cabernet Sauvignon is all about.

The best bottle of this wine I recall tasting. The wine had a sweet and tart cherry quality, that paired perfectly with the earth, tobacco and thyme notes. Full bodied, slightly rustic, but still utterly charming, this was quite nice and a perfect example of what classic California Cabernet Sauvignon is all about.

3,450 Views   Tasted
This particular bottle of 1974 Mayamas was disappointing. I've tasted, better, fresher, cleaner examples. My bet is, it was the specific bottle and not the wine. The color made it seem like the wine was at least 10-15 years younger. The nose offered tobacco, earth, blackberry, cassis and cedar. But the palate was marred by some bitter flavors, rusticity in the tannins and a bit too much acidity in the finish. The fill was pristine, but after close to 40 years, it's all about the bottle. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have a few more to try.

This particular bottle of 1974 Mayamas was disappointing. I've tasted, better, fresher, cleaner examples. My bet is, it was the specific bottle and not the wine. The color made it seem like the wine was at least 10-15 years younger. The nose offered tobacco, earth, blackberry, cassis and cedar. But the palate was marred by some bitter flavors, rusticity in the tannins and a bit too much acidity in the finish. The fill was pristine, but after close to 40 years, it's all about the bottle. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have a few more to try.

4,738 Views   Tasted
Smoke, caramel, earth, licorice, spice, cassis and mocha aromatics are in abundance. This concentrated old school Cabernet, wine feels a little rustic in mouth and ends with cassis and rhubarb flavors that express some tart qualities.

Smoke, caramel, earth, licorice, spice, cassis and mocha aromatics are in abundance. This concentrated old school Cabernet, wine feels a little rustic in mouth and ends with cassis and rhubarb flavors that express some tart qualities.

4,292 Views   Tasted
1974
70
Not quite dead, which is saying a lot for a 40 year old bottle of California Chardonnay. If you prefer notes of petrol, mixed in with your honeysuckle and a tart finish, you'll probably like this more than I did.

Not quite dead, which is saying a lot for a 40 year old bottle of California Chardonnay. If you prefer notes of petrol, mixed in with your honeysuckle and a tart finish, you'll probably like this more than I did.

1,820 Views   Tasted
1970
96
So much better than the bottle I tasted over a decade ago, this was just great. Piquant red fruit, cedar, leaf, herbs, pepper and tobacco were all over the place. Sweet and tart, full-bodied, spicy and bright, with length and an earthy, red berry finish, this is classic California Cabernet at its best.

So much better than the bottle I tasted over a decade ago, this was just great. Piquant red fruit, cedar, leaf, herbs, pepper and tobacco were all over the place. Sweet and tart, full-bodied, spicy and bright, with length and an earthy, red berry finish, this is classic California Cabernet at its best.

3,560 Views   Tasted
Great aromatics. Some cherry tinged fruit in the short finish. The wine declined in the glass after 10/20 minutes.

Great aromatics. Some cherry tinged fruit in the short finish. The wine declined in the glass after 10/20 minutes.

4,118 Views   Tasted
1968
98
It is difficult to believe that not only is this more than 50 years of age, released the year Hendrix produced "Electric Ladyland", but the wine is stunning! One of the best older, classic California wines I have ever tasted, this is dense, full bodied, and loaded with ripe cherries, pipe tobacco, cigar box, herbs, wet earth and smoke. The wine has body, depth, complexity and character that shine from start to finish. This deserves to be talked about as one of the top, older California wines ever made!

It is difficult to believe that not only is this more than 50 years of age, released the year Hendrix produced "Electric Ladyland", but the wine is stunning! One of the best older, classic California wines I have ever tasted, this is dense, full bodied, and loaded with ripe cherries, pipe tobacco, cigar box, herbs, wet earth and smoke. The wine has body, depth, complexity and character that shine from start to finish. This deserves to be talked about as one of the top, older California wines ever made!

2,588 Views   Tasted
1968
96
Here is a wine I never thought I would see again. Not quite as rich, fresh or dense as the previous bottle, yet this was still a sublime example of a classic California Cabernet with all the bright red fruits, cedar, herbs, earth and tobacco you need. A bit stern, the wine finishes with a blend of cherries, thyme and herbs. This is fully ready for consumption.

Here is a wine I never thought I would see again. Not quite as rich, fresh or dense as the previous bottle, yet this was still a sublime example of a classic California Cabernet with all the bright red fruits, cedar, herbs, earth and tobacco you need. A bit stern, the wine finishes with a blend of cherries, thyme and herbs. This is fully ready for consumption.

2,337 Views   Tasted