Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale lemon with complex aromas of fresh ripe citrus and tropical fruits with zesty floral notes. On the palate flavors of peach, lime citrus and melon with lemongrass and floral herb notes. Long finish ending with juicy fruit, herb and citrus notes, lively acidity with mineral character. Outstanding! Will reward with a few years of age! — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened and decanted hours prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1989 appears a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart, ripe, and dried fruits: cassis, blackberries, black cherry, black plum, tobacco, Poblano pepper, mixed dried flowers, some cocoa, pencil shavings, dried green herbs, a touch of leather, some organic and gravelly earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Fabulous stuff with plenty of fuel left in the tank. Drink now through 2039. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When Caymus was Caymus!!!

It is good to remember the style of wine Chuck used to make. His wine from 2011 backwards. The wine I used to collect. I refer to this now as Caymus Classic. I have requested they make this style again every time I see a Caymus representative. Just 500 cases by simply picking earlier at lower brix and applying past winemaking. They under estimate how fast those cases would sellout.

I get they made a business decision to make a sweeter wine that will drink easier young. They get better critic scores and sell to a larger customer base. A customer base that generally drinks it like supermarket buyers…within the first two weeks of purchase.

Of course, 1997 was an epic vintage in Napa and this 97 bought weeks ago has been well stored and in perfect condition. I miss this wine as it has so much more character than their 2012 vintage & forward. So do many former Caymus collectors.

The nose reveals, bright, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries that are just starting to reveal some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, dark spice, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets.

The palate is exquisite. It is all beauty with nothing bitty or angular. Ripe, juicy, lush; blackberries, cassis, black raspberries, dark cherries with hints of some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries as it unfurls & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco with ash, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, perfect dark spice with some tongue heat, mocha, dark chocolate baking bar, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & hints of vanillin, dry herbs, baking soda, dry limestone powder, top soil with pebbles, slightly moist volcanic clay, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets, excellent, rainfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured, polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on spice & gentle earthy tones. I miss their distinct spice. Glorious!!!

This bottle is somewhere on the other side of the bell curve and still singing. Still very sound. It won’t improve and recommend if you own, drink them sooner than later but certainly not a rush.

88% Cabernet, 10% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc. 25.95% Paladins, Skruggs, Wright-St. Helena. 52.15% Caymus Estate, Glos, Usibelli-Rutherford, 15.84% Sciambra-Atlas Peak, 6.06% Tambor Vineyards-Mt. Veeder.

Photos of: Caymus tasting room, tasting room courtyard, owner Chuck Wagner and vineyard. — 7 months ago

Rex Campbell

9.2

Things that stood out: raisinated stone fruit and leather. 2017 vintage, very much enjoyed with a spaghetti bolognese. — 4 years ago

Roger Custer

9.0

Nice Finger Lakes white. Crisp and fruity with the honeysuckle and a bit of raspberry on the front. Nice tail. — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Caymus Special Selection is the flagship Cabernet, crafted only in exceptional years. The 2018 vintage stands tall among recent releases, showing why Chuck Wagner’s vision continues to shape Napa’s most recognized “luxury Cab.” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor vineyards, it strikes the perfect balance between Caymus’ signature ripe, fruit-forward style and an added layer of structure from a long, balanced growing season.

Aromas & Flavors
A powerful bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with cocoa nibs, espresso, and baking spices. Subtle hints of licorice, cedar, and vanilla lift the complexity, while a core of lush fruit drives the palate. The oak integration is seamless, giving a supple sweetness without overwhelming the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Rich, opulent, and velvety—yet with surprising finesse. The tannins are silky and well-structured, giving length without heaviness. The finish lingers on black fruit and mocha, balanced by just enough acidity to keep it vibrant.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous fruit selection, long maceration for concentration, and extended aging in new French oak (18+ months). The Wagner hallmark: generous fruit expression wrapped in polished oak for immediate pleasure but with aging potential.

Food Pairing
An indulgent pairing with ribeye, prime rib, or braised short ribs. For a decadent twist, try it with dark chocolate truffles or roasted lamb with rosemary.

Verdict
One of the most impressive Caymus Special Selection vintages in recent memory—showing both lush Napa Valley opulence and refined elegance. A wine that thrills now but promises to shine for years.

Personal Pick Highlight
This 2018 stands as my favorite Caymus of the modern decade—a true benchmark that captures everything people love about Napa Cabernet at its richest and most expressive. Cheers!
— 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2004 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart mixed fruit: Blackberries, black cherry, dill, olives, leather, toasted coconut, some vanilla, dried green herbs and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is in a very lovely place. Drink now through 2044.  — 6 months ago

Tobin Spratte

9.2

Powerful for an American Riesling, showing lots of minerals and even a bit of petrol overlaying floral, lemon, and lime aromas. As dry as advertised. Not as heavy bodied as its overseas or Washington State counterparts, likely because of the cooler climate. — 9 months ago

Manolya Altan

9.1

I could drink this shit forever, it has a sexy marriage of minerality and acidity. I’m getting green apple, white peach, some lime. Also the suggestion of pizza dough and something savory like mushroom (just me???) — 3 years ago

Rebecca Elizabeth

9.1

Drank this on Halloween without a meal. The color is almost rosy. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more. — 3 years ago

John Malcolm

9.0

Dry, but not flinty, with a touch of fruit and a lot of minerality. Peach, apricot, apple, and honey. Light and crisp! — 4 years ago

Mark Presswood

9.1

Given to me by friends, this is an amazing US Riesling. It does not have the typical petrol nose and taste of a German Riesling but every other characteristic is there and delectable! — 5 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2024 vintage. Lighter but with concentration for days. A different style with a suggestion of limoncello. Generally dislike Sauvie B but this came to play and was the standout of this year’s Bevan Cellars releases I tasted (3 whites/7 reds). 08.22.25 — 4 months ago

Jody Wycech

9.0

Aroma is woody. Long barrel aging. Lots of cocoa and vanilla with those lovely tobacco, pepper, and a kiss of smoke. Then the fruit aromas kick in with plum and currant. Definitely more of a medium body and a stronger acidity with a nice oak tannic finish. Of the more moderate body zins the heavy oak makes this one more favorite. — 5 months ago

with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Doug Powers

8.9

Diesel/petrol, lovely Riesling fruit, I know this is way too young to drink, but the bottle looked like it wanted to be drunk today!! — 6 months ago

with Jim

Christopher sorgie

9.3

The best Riesling we ever had. I’ve been converted from@someone who previously was not a Riesling fan. — 10 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Light ruby color with a garnet rim. Aromas of Smokey black berry/currant/raspberry fruit with notes of forest floor and purple flowers. Same fruits on the palate with hints of mushrooms, black tea, dried earth and savory spices. Juicy with silky tannins. Medium bodied and soft textured. — 2 years ago

Chel

9.0

This wine was the perfect accompaniment for tonight’s dinner; steak au poivre. I’m no sommelier but I picked up some notes of blackberry and black cherry with hints of chocolate and peppery spice. Once again, not a sommelier. Wine- 9/10 Steak- 10/10 The Fugitive- Harrison Ford/10 — 3 years ago

Angelo Casagrande

9.0

Blackberry jam, some oak( but not a ton), great depth of flavor; some nice spice, white pepper and tobacco — 4 years ago

Andy Hall

9.6

This is a seriously good wine. Great nose, great structure and terrific balance from the front palette to the backend. Drinks like a 1990’s Cali cab. Just a baby, it has many years to age! — 6 years ago