Caymus Suisun The Walking Fool 2023 Red Blend Suisun Valley
This 2023 “The Walking Fool” from the Wagner family’s Suisun Valley project delivers vibrant, lively red-blend energy with generous fruit and inviting texture. It’s both accessible and well-crafted — ready to drink now, yet structured enough for short-term cellaring.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced in the relatively cool, rocky soils of the Suisun Valley AVA in California’s North Coast region, this wine is crafted by the Caymus-Suisun label. The 2023 edition is a blend led by Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, with the hillside vineyards of Suisun delivering ripe berry concentration and crunchy acid balance. The fruit is fermented in small lots, then matured briefly in oak (French and American) to maintain freshness while adding subtle spice and texture. Bottled at typical Californian red wine strength (~13.8% ABV), it aims to offer both drinkability and character.
Critics Reviews
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Wine writer Ken On the Radio (via Ken’s Wine Guide) scored the 2021 edition of this cuvée at 92.5 points, noting “midnight purple colour; black cherry bouquet with pipe tobacco and mint; full-bodied on the palate, black cherry cordial, boysenberry, vanilla-cola, and soft cedar finish.”
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A specialist retailer tasting commentary for the 2023 vintage described the wine as “silky scarlet red, opens with rustic wood, sweet spice, cigar box, old leather and garden-ripe strawberries and cherries; palate shows juicy raspberry, cranberry tang, espresso and smoked-meat under-notes.”
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Industry observers highlight that the Walking Fool series “balances everyday value with craft attention — the fruit-forward profile and soft tannin make it compelling both for casual sipping and pairing with hearty food.”
Tasting Profile
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Nose: Bright scarlet in colour; aromas of ripe raspberries, garden strawberries and cherries, layered with sweet spice, dusty leather, cigar-box cedar and subtle earth.
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Palate: Medium-to-full body; juicy red berry core (raspberry, cherry) with tart cranberry edge, espresso roast notes, smoked-meat undertones, and well-integrated oak spice (vanilla, light cedar). The acid keeps the wine lively, while tannins are fine and approachable.
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Finish: Smooth and lingering; the red-fruit brightness endures, with touches of cocoa, warm spice and a soft textural grip from the oak that invites another sip.
Quick Overview
| ABV / Proof | Origin / Region | Grape Blend / Production | Aging / Maturation | Aromas & Flavors | Style / Identity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~13.8% ABV | Suisun Valley AVA, North Coast, California | Zinfandel + Petite Sirah (small lots) | Short oak-maturation in French & American barrels | Raspberries, cherries, cranberries, espresso, cedar, spice | Value-driven Californian red blend; lively, fruit-forward |
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
This 2023 “The Walking Fool” from the Wagner family’s Suisun Valley project delivers vibrant, lively red-blend energy with generous fruit and inviting texture. It’s both accessible and well-crafted — ready to drink now, yet structured enough for short-term cellaring.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced in the relatively cool, rocky soils of the Suisun Valley AVA in California’s North Coast region, this wine is crafted by the Caymus-Suisun label. The 2023 edition is a blend led by Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, with the hillside vineyards of Suisun delivering ripe berry concentration and crunchy acid balance. The fruit is fermented in small lots, then matured briefly in oak (French and American) to maintain freshness while adding subtle spice and texture. Bottled at typical Californian red wine strength (~13.8% ABV), it aims to offer both drinkability and character.
Critics Reviews
-
Wine writer Ken On the Radio (via Ken’s Wine Guide) scored the 2021 edition of this cuvée at 92.5 points, noting “midnight purple colour; black cherry bouquet with pipe tobacco and mint; full-bodied on the palate, black cherry cordial, boysenberry, vanilla-cola, and soft cedar finish.”
-
A specialist retailer tasting commentary for the 2023 vintage described the wine as “silky scarlet red, opens with rustic wood, sweet spice, cigar box, old leather and garden-ripe strawberries and cherries; palate shows juicy raspberry, cranberry tang, espresso and smoked-meat under-notes.”
-
Industry observers highlight that the Walking Fool series “balances everyday value with craft attention — the fruit-forward profile and soft tannin make it compelling both for casual sipping and pairing with hearty food.”
Tasting Profile
-
Nose: Bright scarlet in colour; aromas of ripe raspberries, garden strawberries and cherries, layered with sweet spice, dusty leather, cigar-box cedar and subtle earth.
-
Palate: Medium-to-full body; juicy red berry core (raspberry, cherry) with tart cranberry edge, espresso roast notes, smoked-meat undertones, and well-integrated oak spice (vanilla, light cedar). The acid keeps the wine lively, while tannins are fine and approachable.
-
Finish: Smooth and lingering; the red-fruit brightness endures, with touches of cocoa, warm spice and a soft textural grip from the oak that invites another sip.
Quick Overview
| ABV / Proof | Origin / Region | Grape Blend / Production | Aging / Maturation | Aromas & Flavors | Style / Identity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~13.8% ABV | Suisun Valley AVA, North Coast, California | Zinfandel + Petite Sirah (small lots) | Short oak-maturation in French & American barrels | Raspberries, cherries, cranberries, espresso, cedar, spice | Value-driven Californian red blend; lively, fruit-forward |
