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

Dennis Hogenkamp

9.2

13.5% ABV Salute to Lulu Peyraud of Domaine Tempier in France. Lulu’s father owned the vineyard , and she along with her husband took it over. Sadly we lost her in October 2020 at the age of 102 y/o. This is a blend of old vine Mataro and Grenache. Light salmon color, watermelon initially , later apple. Very nice! — 4 years ago

Matt Konopka

9.0

Great drinker — 5 years ago

Lars Fasel

9.1

Charred lamb chop night — 5 years ago

Elyse Kort

9.2

Refreshing bubbly with hints of berries and watermelon. It’s exactly what you want to be drinking all summer long. — 6 years ago

with Elliot

Missy Anderson

9.0

Very good! — 7 years ago

Allison Rich

9.4

Rich, full bodied cab. Notes of toasted oak and coffee. Great finish. Delicious just opened and even better after aerating/breathing. — 8 years ago

Peter Keohan

9.2

Good color lovely nose rich and long clean — 9 years ago

Kerie K

9.7

Very smooth, velvety. Sherri, you'd like this one! It's a Trader joes find 😉 — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.8

Blend of Cab Sauv, Petit Verdot, & splash of Merlot; estate-owned vineyards Rutherford, Napa, St. Helena & Stag's Leap District. Just opened, 14 years in the bottle after couple of years in the barrel! Still tasting well, young & juicy, should easily last another decade, but nice now. Deep Ruby, dark fruits, spice, complex nose. Palate reflects juicy rich berry fruits, well structured harmonious wine. Fine soft rich tannins, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and earthy tones. Wow! — 9 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

The first couple times I tried 08 I was definitely too quick to judge. It needs a ton of air, and it’s different from the rich, oxidative, nutty house style of the past, particularly the warm and ultra forward 2006, the previous release. 2008 is indeed young, tightly wound with a pulsating core of energy.

The first glass offers very little. Subdued, austere and youthfully reserved. But ensuing pours eventually unleash its core of powerful clean orchard fruit, coffee bean and grilled nuts. On the palate it continues to become so much more textural with crazy gains in weight, depth and fruit intensity as the night goes on. It really fills the mouth, saturating the palate with a satin-like texture, ripping citrusy acids and saline laced minerals that follow deep into its finish. Enjoyable now with enough air (needs 2 hours), but no doubt one to hold. To live forever. — 3 years ago

Robert B

9.2

Heavier tasting Pinot. Enjoyed very much. — 4 years ago

Betsy Schermer

9.5

Love the Blanton’s! — 5 years ago

with Buddy

Aaron Rankin

9.2

An old gewurz-dominant field blend, that comes across especially perfumed and seemingly with a pinch of residual sugar. Simple yet abundantly interesting, and between the sweetness and nice acid backbone, this was a great partner to spicy curries. I enjoy Bedrock’s rendition more than Carlisle’s. — 6 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.4

That’s sausage and peppers in the background. And onions. And shallots. And mushrooms. I had some zucchini too, gotta throw that in there. I had a croissant as well. That’s what 70 miles on a bike will do to your appetite. — 7 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.4

Rich and layered... love Krug MV ⚡️😋 — 7 years ago

Nathan Timm

9.5

To the tune of "play that song" - "drink that wine, the one that tastes oh so fine." — 9 years ago

with Kim

Nicole McLendon

9.5

A little throw back Charleston Wine Festival circa 2014 with my bestie Brooke! — 11 years ago

Michael Retter

9.7

Great fruit. Soft tannins. Really well balanced. Great bottle of wine. — 12 years ago

PM

9.2

Bedrock wines don’t disappoint. Pagani Ranch Heritage is a classic Bedrock. — a year ago

Jenks

9.2

Paired with nothing. Madeira is the desert. — 3 years ago

Perry Atha

9.2

Wonderful Zin- enjoying the 2013 vintage- hint of tobacco - pairing with Salmon - Brisket- will definitely try again — 4 years ago

Gabby

9.4

Excellent cab sauv to end wine night!. I was pretty drunk by now. Red fruit, spice, vanilla. $65 — 5 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.3

Wonderful. — 5 years ago

Ben Christen

9.2

Tasty. Light, lemon 🍋. Great Chardonnay — 6 years ago

with Ellen

Mark Aronica

9.0

Bright and citrusy. Would drink again. — 6 years ago

Zoe Rosenberg

9.3

Beautiful garnet color with flashes of magenta. Ripe fruit on the nose with a hint of radish. Medium bodied, a little puckery and not overly sweet. Carbonic glou glou, as a reviewer said before. — 7 years ago

Olga

8.9

It’s nice pleasant wine with floral, bitter almond and citrus aromas. Dry, balanced acidity, alcohol and body. Quiet short length. — 8 years ago

Malachi Rose

9.0

Rich and fruity with blackberries and plums coming through. It's drinkable now and could even benefit from several years of aging. — 11 years ago

with Penelope and Danielle

Michael Thambuswamy

9.3

At Hakkasan — 13 years ago