Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1990 vintage. Last tasted 11.19.25 (9.6)…yes…two days ago! Someone’s gotta do the dirty work. Comparable experiences with the cork, fill and flavors from the 11.19.25 visit. Not decanted. Tasted one and two hours after opening. After one hour open (not decanted)...a 9.4. two hours...a 9.5. Perhaps decanted, surmise it could have touched 9.6 but we'll never know. This specimen slightly more advanced but still ridiculously phenomenal. 11.21.25. — 6 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

2 hour decant. Shredded cork. Filtered the wine.

Wow. This was just gorgeous and smooth. Tannins very well integrated and the fruit was excellent.

One of my favorite vintages with some age — 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!
— 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

10

To me Shafer is among the worlds best wineries. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. Vivid deep purple color, and outstanding aromas of red/black fruits, cherries and blackberries, with hints of cedar, floral oak & spice. Tasting this wine was absolutely magnificent, concentrated dark berry fruit flavors, spices, leather and oak, exploding on my palate. Soft velvety subtle tannins provide a nice deep lingering finish. Truly an outstanding Cab, one of the best. If you can find yourself a bottle, do not hesitate. Should last at least 10 more yrs. — 7 years ago

Christie Marsh

9.5

2012. Sampled it for the RIMS 2018 conference. Expensive but completely worth it. Very smooth & fruity & reminiscent of a red blend (but a nice one!). — 8 years ago

with Jeffrey

Robin

9.6

I like this one. Not too sweet — 10 years ago

Morgan

9.0

One of my favorites. Big bold red. — 10 years ago

Lia Zavisho

9.0

Delicious! Very fruity and a mouthful! Yum — 11 years ago

Richard Etter

9.5

My reading speech for itself. I enjoy it very much — 12 years ago

Athena Caroline

9.4

I was a strict pinot grigio drinker and never used to enjoy red wines until I tried this one. — 14 years ago

David Kline

9.5

Rim to rim no waver. Slightest bricking. Nose of earth, chocolate, cedar, violet. Palate showing grainy tannins and bing cherry shrouded in black currant with red currant emergent. Black mushrooms have a showy cameo with a chocolate-tobacco high kick. The wine is slightly green and just slightly aggressive though thoroughly enjoyable in every sense. Give this one a couple more years, even if most 10s are showing. Enormous energy with black cherry riding out the sunset.

#ChsteauCosdEstournel #cosdestournel #SaintEstéphe #leftbank #bordeauxrouge #bordeaux #deuxiemecru — 7 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Thought we’d had our last bottle 4 years ago but then found this one. Probably better then, but still very nice. Definitely quite secondary, but the core of fruit and acid carries through. Wonderful pairing with dry aged strip steaks and wild mushroom risotto for our 10 year anniversary. — 8 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Another great drinking older Cali showing red, black fruit, plum with cedar, leather, sweet, savory spice & tobacco leaf — 9 months ago

Benny

9.2

One of my favorites. — 6 years ago

Julian Gross

9.2

Unbelievable cab, perfect pairing with an excellent steak at one of the best chop houses in the country — 7 years ago

Bryandon R. Johnston

8.9

Great hints of spice, mocha and chocolate. Enjoyed it so much I finished it and needed a second bottle! Haha — 9 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.3

Leather and sous bois and one brambles. Lovely and balanced. Still solid. Buy. — 10 years ago

Danny Hedaya

9.7

Well rounded and balanced. 19 years has made this one delicious. — 10 years ago

with Adam

Glenn D

9.1

Spicy, soily like the aroma of fresh dirt & chocolate sprinkles. I just enjoy this wine. — 11 years ago

Phil Magown

9.8

Only one word: phenomenal! — 13 years ago

Sean Townley

9.4

One of the last years Caymus made good wine — 7 months ago

with Mairead

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

Austin Hohnke

9.5

First time having the pleasure. Ok, I get it. Unctuous and thicc. Searching every corner of my palate for one more ethereal drop of elixir. Grilled peach and apricot drizzled with vanilla extract. Is that sugar I’m chewing on?
The money though? — 8 months ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.1

Not as creamy as I remember from past vintages, but excellent fruit and balance. One of the best domestics. August 2025. — 9 months ago

Amit Kumar

9.5

like a neighbor with a seductive surprise...
like strawberry on a summer evening...
its like wow, where did you come from...
is that juniper is smell...oh who cares?
great wine... — 6 years ago

Ryan Richter

9.2

One of my fav pinots — 8 years ago

with Shannon

Kyla Guyette

9.0

Celebrating 4 years with my hunny! — 9 years ago

with Luke

Dan Hess

9.7

For centuries now, the luscious, bright, all-encompassing delight of Champagne has been used to toast happy occasions. Often times a decent bubbly does the trick, but other times, something grander deserves to be poured.

Dom Pérignon (named after the monk who put Champagne on the map), a 2000 vintage. It's the kind of Champs one drinks upon making the decision that wine is not just a hobby, not just a passion, but a career. — 10 years ago

with Sarah

Matt Duncan

9.3

Coffee, bay leaf, vanilla bean nose. Luscious tannin. Crisp cranberry. Lacking only in acid. Otherwise perfectly delightful. — 11 years ago

Mike Trupiano

9.5

One of the single best California Cabs I have ever had — 13 years ago