Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.4229 ratings
9.326 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Thomas Hughes

I was disappointed with my last Caymus Special Selection vintage, but this beauty brought me back to a bottle that won Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year ... Twice!! Incredible fruit and balance. This can be cellared and enjoyed for years to come. Cheers!!

I was disappointed with my last Caymus Special Selection vintage, but this beauty brought me back to a bottle that won Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year ... Twice!! Incredible fruit and balance. This can be cellared and enjoyed for years to come. Cheers!!

11 people found it helpfulMay 9th, 2015
WineMascot

1989, hint leather and dried cranberry. 13% they sure don't make em like that anymore

1989, hint leather and dried cranberry. 13% they sure don't make em like that anymore

1 person found it helpfulJan 22nd, 2018
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.4

Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Thick and layered nose of blueberries, vanilla and spices. Medium plus to heavy tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Similar notes on the palate with vanilla and dark berries. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2032.

Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Thick and layered nose of blueberries, vanilla and spices. Medium plus to heavy tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Similar notes on the palate with vanilla and dark berries. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2032.

1 person found it helpfulSep 23rd, 2017
Pierre Arneaux

Wow. More flavor, much better than their regular cab. Silky, velvet, smooth. Chocolate. Rich fruit. Big, full flavor, lots of flavor. Not old world style for sure, not subtle. It's a big bomb. We would pay up to $75 for this so a bit overpriced to us.

Wow. More flavor, much better than their regular cab. Silky, velvet, smooth. Chocolate. Rich fruit. Big, full flavor, lots of flavor. Not old world style for sure, not subtle. It's a big bomb. We would pay up to $75 for this so a bit overpriced to us.

1 person found it helpfulMay 28th, 2016
Bob Barry

General Manager Winebow

9.3

Bad picture BUT great wine. 2009 Caymus SS also from my birthday.

Bad picture BUT great wine. 2009 Caymus SS also from my birthday.

1 person found it helpfulMar 28th, 2015
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

On the nose, warm, leaner, stewed fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, spiced plum, poached strawberries, black raspberries, cherries, black licorice anise, spice-box, cigar, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, rich dark loamy soils & fresh/dry dark florals. The palate is lean, well resolved tannins, heated, darker spice-box, blackberries, dark cherries, spiced plum, poached strawberries, black raspberries, cherries, black licorice anise, cola, spice-box, cigar, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, rich dark loamy soils & fresh/dry dark florals. Acidity pours over the palate. The finish is smooth, lean, pure elegant fruit with spice. It's lasts over a minute. The 94 is just starting to trend down but still the best vintage of Caymus Special Select I can remember. So if you own, time to enjoy it over the next two years. Enjoyed this at a private dinner/tasting at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay a number of years ago with Chuck and his son Joseph who makes the Bella Clos. Brings me right back to the fire pit closing out the night with this wine & the great group of clients we entertained. First time tasting this vintage with my wife Sofia. Photos of; the Special Select vineyard, estate grounds, beautiful Caymus fruit and the legendary Chuck Wagner-Owner & Winemaker. Another recent pristine bottle from my friend Alex @ "No Limit Wines."

On the nose, warm, leaner, stewed fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, spiced plum, poached strawberries, black raspberries, cherries, black licorice anise, spice-box, cigar, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, rich dark loamy soils & fresh/dry dark florals. The palate is lean, well resolved tannins, heated, darker spice-box, blackberries, dark cherries, spiced plum, poached strawberries, black raspberries, cherries, black licorice anise, cola, spice-box, cigar, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, rich dark loamy soils & fresh/dry dark florals. Acidity pours over the palate. The finish is smooth, lean, pure elegant fruit with spice. It's lasts over a minute. The 94 is just starting to trend down but still the best vintage of Caymus Special Select I can remember. So if you own, time to enjoy it over the next two years. Enjoyed this at a private dinner/tasting at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay a number of years ago with Chuck and his son Joseph who makes the Bella Clos. Brings me right back to the fire pit closing out the night with this wine & the great group of clients we entertained. First time tasting this vintage with my wife Sofia. Photos of; the Special Select vineyard, estate grounds, beautiful Caymus fruit and the legendary Chuck Wagner-Owner & Winemaker. Another recent pristine bottle from my friend Alex @ "No Limit Wines."

Jun 17th, 2017
Greg Gregory

Perfectly stored bottle and if put in a blind tasting of 1986 First Growths it would be a dead ringer for the Lafite. As Muhammad Ali would've said "Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee". Fantastic.

Perfectly stored bottle and if put in a blind tasting of 1986 First Growths it would be a dead ringer for the Lafite. As Muhammad Ali would've said "Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee". Fantastic.

Apr 22nd, 2017
Louie Christensen

Everything you'd expect and more. All the rich dark fruit, chocolate and lush purple flowers, but none of the sticky over-ripe flavors. So balanced.

Everything you'd expect and more. All the rich dark fruit, chocolate and lush purple flowers, but none of the sticky over-ripe flavors. So balanced.

Jan 18th, 2017
Mark Lipton

If you have to drink a 2011 Napa Cabernet, this is the one. Overcomes the flimsiness and off-centered taste of many of its peers. Blueberry, suggestive of Alexander Valley cabs, is present in spades, and wonderful, smooth, and satisfying midpalate and finish.

If you have to drink a 2011 Napa Cabernet, this is the one. Overcomes the flimsiness and off-centered taste of many of its peers. Blueberry, suggestive of Alexander Valley cabs, is present in spades, and wonderful, smooth, and satisfying midpalate and finish.

Apr 16th, 2016
Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.3

Lovely fruit. Drinking well. Fades with time in the glass however

Lovely fruit. Drinking well. Fades with time in the glass however

Mar 24th, 2016