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!
— 23 days ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Last bottle of the trip, taken to Napua at the Mauna Lani. Canary gold color, bright and cheery in the glass. Notes of citrus and kiwi, tropical fruit, wet stones, tan spice, vanilla and white acacia flowers. Rich and glycerol in the mouth, matched with serious acidity. Paired perfectly with a nice Onaga fresh catch, which turned out to be the best prepared fish dish of the trip. Young but drinking well. Aloha! — 3 years ago

larry osborne

9.0

First night at Sea Breeze outside...we have heat lamp which just went out!!
Hope we get past this shit soon and we can get on with life as before — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

A night of finishing coravined 07’s.

A purchase on the secondary market about 8 plus months ago. Its storage not what mine would show at this point. It’s farther advanced from what it should be at this stage, but still enjoyable. Showing some liqueur notes.

I feel similarly about this producers Napa Cabernets as I do Joseph Phelps. There’s differences and I lean into Phelps Napa over most of the Heitz Napa’s.

The nose shows baked & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark slightly liqueured cherries, both plums stewed, cherries, raspberries, tree bark with sap, mid berry cola, delicate baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, spices, anise to black licorice, black tea, fresh & old tobacco, sweet tarriness, withering & just slightly, candied flowers that are dark at the core, red, withering red roses with violets.
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The palate is ripe, a touch lush & ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, dark slightly liqueured cherries, both plums, cherries & raspberries. Tree bark with sap, mid berry cola, delicate baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, caramel, malt balls, menthol, dark spices with some palate heat, anise to black licorice, expresso, milk chocolate w/ toffee bit’s, black tea, fresh & old tobacco, sweet tarriness, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, withering & just slightly, candied flowers that are dark at the core, red, withering red roses with violets, excellent acidity, well balanced/crafted, nicely tensioned & elegance/polish for days with a finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands evenly on earthiness & spice. — 2 months ago

Tom Jenkins

9.0

Big, soft Pinot! As beautiful as a Pinot gets. Enjoyed at Portavino Houston. — 2 years ago

Anna & Ryan Bertolino

9.3

Thankfully it doesn’t remind me of Sauvignon Blanc at all. Ryan thinks it’s too sweet — 3 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on May 25, 2025 at The Optimist in Nashville with Jay]

73% Cabernet Sauvignon; 16% Malbec; and 11% Merlot. Red plum, black raspberry and cherry fruit, with mocha, chocolate and baking spices. Creamy and well balanced. Philippe Melka is the consulting winemaker — 4 months ago

Joe Santiago

9.0

A little funky bouquet at first. Nice vanilla finish. Some tannins. Still fairly mild. — a year ago

Russell Pfeiffer

9.0

Very good Portuguese white wine. Bought at Costco. A bit pricier but worth it. Great with seafood. — 3 years ago

David Foster

9.3

Rich and light at the same time. — 4 years ago