With savory aromas and a deep luscious color, this much-loved wine strokes your palate with flavors of dark cherry, blackberry and cassis. The thick velvety texture gives way to toasty oak and finishes with just a hint of chocolate. Enjoy with your favorite grilled meats.
Vintage Notes
The 2020 harvest started with idyllic growing conditions in Sonoma Valley. Temperature rose consistently through Labor Day while September brought high temperature spikes accelerating the last weeks of harvest. It took an unpredictable turn mid-August with wildfires leaving uncertainty around the county. Luckily, the early harvest allowed us time to pick the Caton Vineyard with quality fruit. This vintage resulted in smaller berries and concentrated fruit.
Moon Mountain District • Caton Vineyard
Ty Caton Vineyards is committed to producing the finest wines made from the highest quality grapes and winemaking dedication at its best. Our limited production allows us to handcraft wines with varietal intensity and balance.
Specs
Vintage: 2020
Varietals: 65% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 4 % Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot Certified Sustainable
Appellation: Moon Mountain District ~ Sonoma Valley
At Ty Caton Vineyards, our commitment to excellence begins in the Caton Vineyard where winemaker Ty Caton sustainably farms the hillside fruit used in his Moon Mountain District wine. As one of the few exclusively estate producers in Sonoma Valley, Ty works with grapes from soil to glass by enabling him to make extraordinary wines that showcase the vineyard. Ty Caton wines have received critical acclaim in world renowned wine publications and competitions, including many Best of Class honors. As a grape grower and winemaker, Ty strives to produce the “wow factor” by making wines that are bold, beautifully structured and are a true representation of the vineyards they come from.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Always happy to get the labrat email and UPS notification! This time hidden within the stryofoam was a bottle of 2020 Ty’s Red. This is a wine I loved back in the olden days of w00t, especially when he called it Racchus Red.
This is a blend of Ty’s main grape varieties from his vineyard, and I’ve always assumed this is made with lots that don’t quite fit the rest of the programme. Ty also moved to some form of agglomerated cork here, although it’s not branded DIAM. Zero cork issues as you’d expect from a young wine with this type of closure.
First thing to note when pouring is the darkness from the PS and PV. Not inky blackness like a 100% PS wine, but definitely showing the darkness from those grapes.
The initial nose is fairly closed down, mostly giving off a hint of alcohol, some herbs (mint?), and swirling reveals some non-distinct dark fruit. Clearly this needs some air. Thinking more about the preponderance of Syrah, maybe there’s something a bit meaty going on, too.
First sips I do not like. I’m getting a lot of alcohol and that “harsh young wine” feel that I’ve never been a fan of. Long astringent finish primarily giving ethanol notes. In many cases these things rectify with air, so we’ll come back to it.
As expected, even the first 20-30 minutes of air has helped a lot. It’s still screaming “young wine” to me, but it’s no longer overtly harsh. The fruit is still just saying “dark” and maybe blackberry, but otherwise this is still fairly closed.
Put this away to come back for day 2. Just corked on the counter. Ambient temps range from 67 to 74.
On opening today (day 2) this seemed largely unchanged. Still a bit subdued aromatically but retaining the relative smoothness. The finish retained the bitterness I noticed yesterday, which I attribute to the alcohol. 15.4% is in the range of where the higher alcohol can come across as bitter to me. Obviously YMMV.
Second glass of the night and it’s finally seeming to open up a bit. I started to get a few herbs and such from the aromas. The fruit has remained in the background while I’m getting hints of smoke (the good kind, not the wildfire kind) to go along with the meaty quality.
I’m optimistic for night 3. Will report back tomorrow.
@kaolis yes, from the bottle. I’d written all that before the offer went up.
I don’t have problems with other wines of that alcohol level aside from it bumping up against my bitter receptors. Turley being the obvious example, although I still stay away from the ones that climb above 15.5%
Night 3 update!
This started off with amazing aromatics, initially vindicating the patience. Lots of juicy fruit and herbs.
First sips tonight were less enjoyable, though, with that “young wine” flavour that I’m not a fan of and that had disappeared on the second night.
A bit later, though, and it’s coming back into balance. Plenty of fruit, of course, with a backdrop of savoury notes and herbs.
Overall I’m still of two minds on this wine. I think if it was actually at the 14.9% listed in the offer instead of the 15.4% on the bottle I would probably enjoy it more. I think this should improve for a few years, at least, and it’s clear that at least some patience after opening this will be rewarded.
And at the case price this is clearly a solid value, especially if you can let it sleep a year or two.
The extinction of an unique species is not very inspiring to purchase something, but I will consider this and subsequent positive comments about the wine itself over the next 46 hours …
Also, the Tasmanian tiger was a real animal that was on Tasmania up until the 1930’s. It was a dog-like marsupial with a striped back and could open its mouth really wide. It was declared extinct after farmers over-hunted them and diseases were introduced to the population.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Ty Caton Vineyards Estate Ty’s Red - $40 = 16.66%
Alice asked, so I’m honored to provide my lab rattage once again.
Let’s dive into this red blend from one of my favorite producers. I have a few bottles left of the 2018 vintage and am quite familiar with this wine that’s sure to please your palate. This bad boy is made up of 65% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 4% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot - quite the mix, right?
When you pour yourself a glass, you’ll be hit with an intoxicating aroma of ripe black fruit and woody oak. I also detect some plum, and dark cherries, as well as a dusty, earthy note (leather?)
Now, let’s talk about how it tastes. This bold wine is full-bodied and smooth, with tannins that are so soft and balanced, they don’t get in the way. You’ll taste dark cherries, blackberries, and plums, all dancing together with hints of vanilla, oak, and spice.
I think that this wine would pair perfectly with a juicy burger, a hearty stew, or even just some crusty bread and cheese. This red blend is a crowd pleaser and definitely worth trying.
Thanks again, Alice, for the opportunity to sample some excellent Ty Caton juice and help my fellow Casemates!
@klezman@marjoryk One review sounded like the wine was rather closed, while the other review didn’t seem so. I like and drink Ty’s wines and find that they 1) benefit from aging, 2) are closed upon opening and 3) reward those who wait or decant. It’s all good.
I got some of the TyTanium from Casemates awhile back and it was fantastic. It was more of a Cab based blend. I think it was pretty spendy compared to this offering.
I was lucky to be introduced to Ty in the old Wine Woot! days. Now I am a subscriber to their winery direct program but still troll for deals like this. Not a lot of experience with this, but, prefer the non Cab based blends as a rule and really trust Ty to make a quality product and the price is right.
I was introduced to Ty Caton wines in the wine.woot days as well and have been a wine club member for years. His Petite Sirah is one of my favorites and I really love Ty’s Red as well. It’s great on a Tuesday pizza night and on a Friday night to accompany a ribeye! Ty Caton is an autobuy for me.
FWIW, I popped a 2010 yesterday evening and although the cork was shot, the wine was delicious. However, it was a Cab-heavy blend at 14.4%, so…apples and oranges. What I do think is that Ty Caton knows what they’re doing and even their cheap blend is age-worthy and delicious. And, I’m one of the old guys from the previous incarnation too.
My first TY purchase was in 3/07 when the original Woot sold wine before the move to Wine Woot. Cut my wine teeth over there and learned so much from the winemakers and some of you wonderful wino’s. TY offerings are always an automatic for me. Thank you Casemates
@margav my first TY purchase was 2009 Ty Caton Racchus Red back in 2011 from WW followed by 2010 Ty Caton Ty’s Red Caton purchased in 2012 which is when I became a fan of Ty’s red. I currently have 100+ bottles of Ty Caton in my cellar (33 unique wines).
@forlich@margav@rpstrong
while we are reminiscing, I think my oldest bottle is a 2001 Ty Caton Merlot from an rpm tour Ty was pouring that was just outstanding.
Need to dig one of those out and see how it’s doing…
@WineTy nice to see you back!
I’ve noticed your more recent vintages have had (generally) higher alcohols than a decade back and the ones I’ve tasted have seemed more ripe and less acidic. How much of this is an intentional stylistic shift vs climate vs vintage variation?
@WineTy Are you saying that to get the flavour profile you’re looking for at harvest you’re just getting higher sugars than you used to?
I don’t think my rat bottle was unbalanced, just less acidic than I recall from some prior vintages. There’s, to me, a wide range of acidity that still have balance. Just a different balance. And everybody has their preference.
I too freaking waited too long. Any chance we can contact winery for this deal? Also, anyone in NY? Because if so I’m down to split a case . Many variables here but had to ask a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.
hi there, I was able to get in just in time and order a case. I’m in the Utica NY area so if you’re close, let me know. I’d be up for splitting it with you.
2020 Ty Caton Estate Ty’s Red
Tasting Notes
Vintage Notes
Moon Mountain District • Caton Vineyard
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$456.00/Case for 12x 2020 Ty Caton Estate Ty’s Red at Ty Caton Vineyards
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Aug 19 - Tuesday, Aug 20
2020 Ty Caton Vineyards Estate Ty’s Red
4 bottles for $79.99 $20/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2020 Ty Caton Ty’s Red, 15.4% alc
Always happy to get the labrat email and UPS notification! This time hidden within the stryofoam was a bottle of 2020 Ty’s Red. This is a wine I loved back in the olden days of w00t, especially when he called it Racchus Red.
This is a blend of Ty’s main grape varieties from his vineyard, and I’ve always assumed this is made with lots that don’t quite fit the rest of the programme. Ty also moved to some form of agglomerated cork here, although it’s not branded DIAM. Zero cork issues as you’d expect from a young wine with this type of closure.
First thing to note when pouring is the darkness from the PS and PV. Not inky blackness like a 100% PS wine, but definitely showing the darkness from those grapes.
The initial nose is fairly closed down, mostly giving off a hint of alcohol, some herbs (mint?), and swirling reveals some non-distinct dark fruit. Clearly this needs some air. Thinking more about the preponderance of Syrah, maybe there’s something a bit meaty going on, too.
First sips I do not like. I’m getting a lot of alcohol and that “harsh young wine” feel that I’ve never been a fan of. Long astringent finish primarily giving ethanol notes. In many cases these things rectify with air, so we’ll come back to it.
As expected, even the first 20-30 minutes of air has helped a lot. It’s still screaming “young wine” to me, but it’s no longer overtly harsh. The fruit is still just saying “dark” and maybe blackberry, but otherwise this is still fairly closed.
Put this away to come back for day 2. Just corked on the counter. Ambient temps range from 67 to 74.
On opening today (day 2) this seemed largely unchanged. Still a bit subdued aromatically but retaining the relative smoothness. The finish retained the bitterness I noticed yesterday, which I attribute to the alcohol. 15.4% is in the range of where the higher alcohol can come across as bitter to me. Obviously YMMV.
Second glass of the night and it’s finally seeming to open up a bit. I started to get a few herbs and such from the aromas. The fruit has remained in the background while I’m getting hints of smoke (the good kind, not the wildfire kind) to go along with the meaty quality.
I’m optimistic for night 3. Will report back tomorrow.
@klezman Question…specs say 14.9 abv, You’re pulling 15.4 from the bottle I assume?
@klezman and at 15.4 might benefit from being a little cooler?
@kaolis yes, from the bottle. I’d written all that before the offer went up.
I don’t have problems with other wines of that alcohol level aside from it bumping up against my bitter receptors. Turley being the obvious example, although I still stay away from the ones that climb above 15.5%
Night 3 update!
This started off with amazing aromatics, initially vindicating the patience. Lots of juicy fruit and herbs.
First sips tonight were less enjoyable, though, with that “young wine” flavour that I’m not a fan of and that had disappeared on the second night.
A bit later, though, and it’s coming back into balance. Plenty of fruit, of course, with a backdrop of savoury notes and herbs.
Overall I’m still of two minds on this wine. I think if it was actually at the 14.9% listed in the offer instead of the 15.4% on the bottle I would probably enjoy it more. I think this should improve for a few years, at least, and it’s clear that at least some patience after opening this will be rewarded.
And at the case price this is clearly a solid value, especially if you can let it sleep a year or two.
The extinction of an unique species is not very inspiring to purchase something, but I will consider this and subsequent positive comments about the wine itself over the next 46 hours …
@stolicat So maybe he’s not making this anymore?
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Ty Caton Vineyards Estate Ty’s Red - $40 = 16.66%
Hey there, Casemates!
Alice asked, so I’m honored to provide my lab rattage once again.
Let’s dive into this red blend from one of my favorite producers. I have a few bottles left of the 2018 vintage and am quite familiar with this wine that’s sure to please your palate. This bad boy is made up of 65% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 4% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot - quite the mix, right?
When you pour yourself a glass, you’ll be hit with an intoxicating aroma of ripe black fruit and woody oak. I also detect some plum, and dark cherries, as well as a dusty, earthy note (leather?)
Now, let’s talk about how it tastes. This bold wine is full-bodied and smooth, with tannins that are so soft and balanced, they don’t get in the way. You’ll taste dark cherries, blackberries, and plums, all dancing together with hints of vanilla, oak, and spice.
I think that this wine would pair perfectly with a juicy burger, a hearty stew, or even just some crusty bread and cheese. This red blend is a crowd pleaser and definitely worth trying.
Thanks again, Alice, for the opportunity to sample some excellent Ty Caton juice and help my fellow Casemates!
-timnath
Well that was different lol
@marjoryk ??
@klezman very different from your review
@klezman it wasn’t intended as an insult to anyone
@klezman @marjoryk
The comment was a bit tersely cryptic.
One expressing how it evolves over time,
the other, a single snapshot in time.
@klezman @rjquillin well I do apologize
@klezman @marjoryk to borrow from the sister site:
meh, it happens
@klezman @marjoryk @rjquillin I happen to agree with @marjoryk
tale of two cities
(bad analogy but I’m sticking with it… ha!)
@klezman @marjoryk @rjquillin
You must be having a hard day Klez it even had an lol
@marjoryk No insult perceived or taken, on my part.
@ScottW58 No hard day…I just had no idea what the reference was. Truly it was “??”
@klezman
I mistook Ron’s reply as yours oops. Ron you must be having a hard day
@klezman @marjoryk One review sounded like the wine was rather closed, while the other review didn’t seem so. I like and drink Ty’s wines and find that they 1) benefit from aging, 2) are closed upon opening and 3) reward those who wait or decant. It’s all good.
@jmdavidson1 @marjoryk Your experience matches mine.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
@Mark_L you didn’t go for “it was the best of wines, it was the worst of wines?”
Not that these reviews quite went that way, but I think one of the ones I ratted for almost did.
I got some of the TyTanium from Casemates awhile back and it was fantastic. It was more of a Cab based blend. I think it was pretty spendy compared to this offering.
@GatorFL I think of this as Ty’s “low end” red while TyTanium is his tête de cuvée.
I was lucky to be introduced to Ty in the old Wine Woot! days. Now I am a subscriber to their winery direct program but still troll for deals like this. Not a lot of experience with this, but, prefer the non Cab based blends as a rule and really trust Ty to make a quality product and the price is right.
I was introduced to Ty Caton wines in the wine.woot days as well and have been a wine club member for years. His Petite Sirah is one of my favorites and I really love Ty’s Red as well. It’s great on a Tuesday pizza night and on a Friday night to accompany a ribeye! Ty Caton is an autobuy for me.
/giphy enlightened-boastful-psychic
Twice in one month! I need to stop looking at these emails…
Also, hello to all the old schoolers still around!
/giphy meager-rare-avocado
FWIW, I popped a 2010 yesterday evening and although the cork was shot, the wine was delicious. However, it was a Cab-heavy blend at 14.4%, so…apples and oranges. What I do think is that Ty Caton knows what they’re doing and even their cheap blend is age-worthy and delicious. And, I’m one of the old guys from the previous incarnation too.
@FritzCat Night 2; Talk about flavor!
My first TY purchase was in 3/07 when the original Woot sold wine before the move to Wine Woot. Cut my wine teeth over there and learned so much from the winemakers and some of you wonderful wino’s. TY offerings are always an automatic for me. Thank you Casemates
@margav who you calling a wino ?
@margav my first TY purchase was 2009 Ty Caton Racchus Red back in 2011 from WW followed by 2010 Ty Caton Ty’s Red Caton purchased in 2012 which is when I became a fan of Ty’s red. I currently have 100+ bottles of Ty Caton in my cellar (33 unique wines).
@forlich @margav Or would that be ratzo?
@forlich @margav @rpstrong
while we are reminiscing, I think my oldest bottle is a 2001 Ty Caton Merlot from an rpm tour Ty was pouring that was just outstanding.
Need to dig one of those out and see how it’s doing…
@forlich @margav @rjquillin @rpstrong likely a dead soldier!
Attn: thread hijack
@forlich @margav @rpstrong @WineTy
Not even close to dead;
very much alive, standing tall and proud @ 14.1% AbV.
Perfect cork too…
@rjquillin I knew you weren’t going to take that challenge sitting down!
Cool! The 09 Racchus Red was sold in 2012…wish I had a bottle of that now. Sounds like you have an awesome TY collection. What was your address again?
WORKER BEES! HERCULES! TURKEY GREASE! AWESOME!
@margav Nashville Tennessee!’ Let’s goooooo!!
That was meant to be a reply to Nathan…
@margav Ty Caton party at Nathan’s place.
@margav @WCCWineGirl
Speaking of Ty, Alice, where is he…?
@margav @rjquillin @WCCWineGirl Right here!
@WineTy nice to see you back!
I’ve noticed your more recent vintages have had (generally) higher alcohols than a decade back and the ones I’ve tasted have seemed more ripe and less acidic. How much of this is an intentional stylistic shift vs climate vs vintage variation?
@klezman I would say vintage variation. But I wouldn’t agree with you that the wines are less balanced.
@WineTy Are you saying that to get the flavour profile you’re looking for at harvest you’re just getting higher sugars than you used to?
I don’t think my rat bottle was unbalanced, just less acidic than I recall from some prior vintages. There’s, to me, a wide range of acidity that still have balance. Just a different balance. And everybody has their preference.
/giphy shaky-hapless-existence
@nicholfd apparently Ms Lohan is describing my wine space
Cases are sold out. That’s what I get for waiting to pull the trigger.
I too freaking waited too long. Any chance we can contact winery for this deal? Also, anyone in NY? Because if so I’m down to split a case . Many variables here but had to ask a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.
hi there, I was able to get in just in time and order a case. I’m in the Utica NY area so if you’re close, let me know. I’d be up for splitting it with you.
@tklempay unfortunately I’m in the NYC area. Utica NY is a no go. Now if you meant Utica, Brooklyn, I can work something out!
Mine shipped to Central NY.
Via DFW to Louisville KY…
Sure hope it’s in a cooled truck!
@Winedavid49 ?