Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Price, Taste, Reviews)

Caymus Vineyards of Rutherford, Napa Valley, is well-known for its signature, high quality Cabernet Sauvignon.

Besides Cabernet Sauvignon, this winery also produces Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir wines.

Caymus produces two Cabernets Sauvignons - the “Napa Valley” and“Special Selection” - crafted using unique winemaking techniques. 

We’ll be taking a closer look at these two wines, including a selection of fine Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon to buy.

How Much Does Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Cost?

Depending on its vintage, you can expect to spend around $80-$300 for a 750ml bottle of Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. 

As for the flagship wine from Caymus Vineyards, Caymus Special Selection, prices may range between $160 to $580, the latter for much older vintages.

So, which Caymus Cabernet vintages should you buy?

8 Best Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Wines to Buy

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon wines are approachable in both youth and maturity.

Here’s are some fantastic vintages to add to your red wine collection:

1. 2019 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($80)

The 2019 Caymus Napa Valley entices you with a rich texture and notes of dark berries, warmed vanilla, and melted licorice on the palate.

2. 2017 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($90)

This regal red wine opens with notes of cassis and chocolate. Full-bodied and smooth on the palate, it unfurls further with flavors and lush aromas of black fruit, blueberry, and toasted oak. 

3. 2015 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($120)

This 2015 Caymus wine is ruby red, full-bodied, and fruit forward. Experience a flavor profile that displays black currant and stewed plum notes with moderate, lingering tannins.

4. 2014 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($140)

2014 was a great growing season in Napa Valley, reflected in the vibrant opulence of this Caymus wine. Uncover layers of dark fruit and notes of warmed vanilla in this deep red vintage.

5. 2019 Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($170)

The 2019 Special Selection vintage offers enticing layers of black fruit, plum, licorice, and vanilla. Expect a decadent play of tastes on the palate.

6. 2016 Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($170)

This 2016 Special Selection vintage has an elevated and persistent palate, featuring fruit flavors of cassis and blackberry, entwined with mocha, toasted oak, and spice.  

7. 2015 Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($200)

The Caymus Special Selection 2015 delivers fine flavors of plum sauce, blackberry, and melted licorice, with notes of incense and an echo of cocoa on a broad finish. 

8. 2011 Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon ($200)

A nose of blackberry, cassis, and currant carries through to a palate of brown spice and rich fruit in this expressive 2011 wine. Velvety tannins balance with ripe fruit and toasted oak.

If you’re wondering if Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is worth your dollars, let’s have a look at what the experts have to say.

Is Caymus a Good Cabernet? (Critics’ Reviews and Scores)

The Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is the only wine in the world to have received Wine Spectator magazine’s “Wine of the Year” award twice — for the 1984 and 1990 vintages. 

Here’s what critics say about Caymus wine: 

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019:

“A rich, showy style, with a very creamy texture to its mix of warmed vanilla, plum and boysenberry puree, and melted black licorice flavors. A mocha note swirls around the fruit on the finish. Drink now through 2028.” — 92 points, Wine Spectator

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014: 

“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley has a dense opaque purple color, a kiss of blackberry and cassis fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel with ripe tannin, and a long finish.” — 94 points, Robert Parker

Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2016:

“This asserts itself through flattery right from the start, with a gush of warmed cassis, açaí berry reduction, and plum preserves laced liberally with mocha-accented toast and carried by very plush structure.”— 95 points, Wine Spectator

What Foods Pair with Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon?

Caymus Vineyards red wine goes well with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, beef, roast chicken, and game. Hearty fish courses like tuna and salmon, mushroom, and pasta work well too.

How is Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Made?

Caymus farms grapes in 8 of Napa’s 16 sub appellations. This diversification allows them to make the best possible wine in a given year. The Caymus Special Selection is only from the best barrels of the vintage and isn’t produced in difficult years.

Crop thinning in the vineyard and controlled sunlight to the grape vines’ fruit zone are part of their viticultural practices. 

The two Cabernet wines that Caymus produces both gain their distinct flavors and aromas through a “hang time.” 

The technique involves leaving the Cabernet grapes to hang on the vine for an unusually long period, allowing the fruit to develop an increased ripeness, suppleness, and mature tannin levels. This results in wines that are rich in velvet, textural tannins.  

Now, in case you want to know more about the winery:

Quick Facts About Caymus Vineyards

Here’s a glance at Caymus Vineyards:

Who owns Caymus Vineyards?

The Wagner family are pioneering Napa Valley winemakers and remain 100% owners of Caymus Vineyards. Farming grapes is the family’s priority, conducted on about 350 acres of Napa Valley soil.

Where does the name Caymus originate from?

It comes from the Mexican land grant known as Rancho Caymus, which encompassed what eventually became Rutherford town and its surroundings.

What was the first Cabernet Sauvignon vintage?

The first Caymus vintage was 1972, consisting of 240 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Savor Quintessential Napa Valley Wine!

The outstanding quality of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon speaks for itself through the praise of critics to the legions of fans.

Why not get Vinovest to help you invest in a bottle or two?

Vinovest offers a simple way to buy, store, sell fine wines from anywhere in the world. Check out their website and get a bottle of Caymus Cabernet for your cellars today.