David Koenen

9.5

Birth year tastings, evening 4.
Polished leather, nuts, ecoline, grilled red pepper, tomato leaf, gingerbread, pepper, salty savoriness, tannins still present, still youthful, lots of future. Muscular! Beautiful. — 8 months ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Delicious per usual. Last had 2 years ago and this is in a nice place. Perfect with skirt steak off the grill. A treat. — 10 months ago

Steve Rura

9.0

Judging by the other reviews, this is underrated. Perfectly good Provence rosé. With a perfect cheese fondue on a cloudy afternoon. — 2 years ago

David Nicewicz

9.4

Wow this was an excellent find in Roma! A perfect bottle of 95 Flaccianello - funky nose of a bit of cheese and blue fruits have way to a palate that was silky and just kept gaining intensity over the 3h it was opened - blue fruits, cedar, truffles and a touch of licorice. What a great experience on a Tuscan classic! — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Tawny color, translucent with amber rims. Notes of black cherry, cedar, some spice and a little barnyard floor. Sweet fruit in the mouth, with tannins fully resolved. Guessed 1955 Calon Segur. Perfect looking bottle, the cork revealed this bottle was reconditioned by the Chateau in 2000. — 8 years ago

Ivano Rizzacasa

9.0

Perfect with antipasto — 9 years ago

Deni

9.4

Absolutely amazing. Lots of good brett. Balanced and delicious. Great dark fruit aromas and flavors. So smooth. Medium high tannins and acidity. Perfect silky texture. A little funk on the nose and palate (positive). Aroma and flavors are out of this world. Leather bag full of cherries and raspberries. Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carmenere. Complex. Delicious 13.5% abv — 10 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.6

1989 vintage. A near perfect bottle with loads of ripe dark fruit flavors and classic Rutherford dust additions. Sweet tannins still providing structure and grip, and it's American oak treatment nicely integrated. Long, satisfying finish, where fruit, acidity and minerality comes in waves. Very, very impressive and behaving 10 years younger than it actually is. — 10 years ago

Lindsay Rodman

9.1

My favorite Sauvignon blanc - very fruity (citrus, tropical) without being overly sweet, which is perfect. Not as herbaceous/mineraly as Loire SBs. The 2014 vintage isn't as good, unfortunately.
— 11 years ago

Gary Hill

9.4

Perfect. Ready to drink. Do not wait. Open it! Went great with braised short ribs. — 12 years ago

with Laura

John Van Trijp

10

Vandermeulen. Perfect bottle! — 8 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Deep ruby garnet , thin garnet rim . Just beginning to show some development, with grafite tinged , pipe tobacco, cassis , spicy herbal hints and oyster shell notes. On the palate this still comes across as very young , dark cassis , blackcurrant fruit and a very long , detailed mineral and saline length. Sweet but grippy tannin , and fresh acidity. Tobacco and oyster shell return on the long finish . Needs time but has a great future . Come back in 5 -10 years , will last well a further 25 . Apologies for the silly stock photo , don’t think I took one having been so excited by both the 2016 and 2010. A huge , vast improvement on the rather chunky , forced and flat 2009 had at Vinous Icons Miami in Nov 2024. At Vinous Icons NY , Pier 60 , Feb 2025. — 10 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.0

2021. Broader California appellation. 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier. Perfect for some patio seafood. Floral aromas and crisp melon. — 3 years ago

Kyra Williams

9.8

Like peaches and cream. Perfect with food. Perfect on its own. Jean Georges. — 5 years ago

RJ Solovy

9.3

Almost perfect. — 8 years ago

Jim Wallace

9.3

Amazing richness wrapped in perfect finesse. — 10 years ago

Tracy Swanson

9.0

So perfect!! Deep cherry with earth and a bit of bramble! Second time enjoying a bottle of this gem! — 10 years ago

with Glenn

Lauren Fowler

9.4

Just beautiful. A touch of American oak. Vanilla. Perfect companion for Christmas dinner. — 10 years ago

gregory castells

President Martine's Wines

9.6

perfect drink just delicious — 11 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.4

2002 vintage which has been a maligned Rioja vintage. This is the perfect example of producer being the trump card. Excellent as always! — 11 years ago

Ethan Karas

9.4

Saturday night perfect pairing — 8 months 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!
— 9 months ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.6

Demi bottle & perfect split for two ! Great way to begin the evening. — 4 years ago

Matthew W.

9.5

Brooding dark fruits, earthy with hints of sweet cigar box,. Perfect balance — 5 years ago

Emre

9.0

Pale salmon pink color. Bright strawberries, cherry and citrus on the nose. Slight spritz. Very clean and easy to drink. Perfect for summer. — 9 years ago

Sean Sassenrath

9.2

Love whisper my angel. Perfect dry rose for salads & fish. Would recommend to anyone looking for rose that's not sweet and dry on the tongue — 10 years ago

Lisa Li

9.5

One of the best red i've had, well balanced with perfect complexity — 10 years ago

Jed Rosenbaum

9.5

Green Apple at the beginning then some more mature fruit. Not a perfect balance but very nice. — 10 years ago

Steve Mitchell

9.1

A 2012 blend consisting of 70% Zinfandel, 21% petite Sarah, 6% Carignane and 3% Mourvèdre. A rich deep ruby red color, 14.4% alcohol, dry, mind tannin that will smooth out after a few years of collecting. Paired with meatballs and it was a perfect compliment. — 11 years ago

Paul Einbund

Wine Director/Sommelier Frances

9.0

Tight and young but perfect as evah — 12 years ago