Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Napa Valley AVA, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
The Special Selection represents the pinnacle of Caymus’ winemaking—crafted only in outstanding vintages and known for its luxurious, fruit-driven Napa style. The 2019 vintage shows Caymus’ signature opulence but with slightly more balance and finesse compared to earlier years.

Aromas & Flavors
Explosive nose of ripe blackberries, cassis, dark cherries, and baked blueberries, layered with espresso, cocoa beans, black pepper, and sweet vanilla spice. Secondary notes of cedar and tobacco add complexity.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and lush, with plush tannins and a velvety texture. The palate is generous in ripe fruit, layered with spice, chocolate, and savory undertones. The long, lingering finish highlights the richness while keeping an elegant balance.

Winemaking Notes
Carefully sourced from select Napa Valley vineyards, the 2019 was aged in new French oak barrels to emphasize depth and structure. Caymus’ hallmark extended hang time ensures fully ripe fruit and bold concentration.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, rack of lamb, or mushroom risotto. Aged hard cheeses (like Parmigiano-Reggiano) also make a great match.

Verdict
A rich, polished Napa Cabernet with undeniable charm. The 2019 Special Selection is approachable now but has the structure to age another 10+ years. A quintessential bottle for lovers of Caymus’ plush, fruit-forward style. — 3 months ago

Mike McGlone

9.2

Classic Bordeaux with rack of lamb. Mature with good fruit and balance for it’s age. A special treat. — 3 years ago

with Ann

K L

9.2

Balanced and earthy. Not overly fruity. Would get again. — 5 years ago

with Matt

K Brooks

9.1

Still delicious with rack of lamb. Intense, dark and delicious ($32) — 7 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Love Margaux wines with rack of lamb. It is a classic pair as long as you are not doing a Mediterranean mint prep. This is salt, pepper, Napa Valley rub and red wine.

As it airs and intermixes w/ the meal, it rises from 93 to 94.

The wine is approaching its peak. Still has another 10 yrs of appropriate drinking.

The fruits are ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries with hues of purple & blue fruits. There is excellent integration & evolution. Led pencil shavings, fresh & dry herbs, moist grey volcanic minerals/clay, fresh & dry tobacco, sandalwood, used leather, soft, dark spice with heat on the long set, limestone, dry crushed rocks into powder, touch of black pepper, saline, fresh dark, red flowers with violets, excellent, cool rainfall acidity, well woven, balanced, softly tensioned & structured with a pure elegant finish that lasts a full two-minutes. — 2 years ago

K Brooks

8.9

Syrah blend, nice accompaniment to roasted rack of lamb ($19) which we usually pair with a cab blend or Pinot noir — 4 years ago

Donald Williams

9.1

A nice example of a fairly obscure varietal. It worked better with my tuna entrée than with Bonnie’s rack of lamb. I think it needs a bit more aging. — a year ago

with Bonnie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Paired with the Olive Oil Poached Rack of Lamb, White Bean Purée, Spring Vegetables. @PlateandBottle — 2 years ago

Elizabeth Vecseri

9.2

Pretty sure this is the one we had paired with the rack of lamb. It was so soft and smooth from the aging in concrete vats. Lightly fruity and not too heavy on the tannins, it elevated the lamb nicely so that the whole course was not heavy. — 3 years ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.1

Hadn’t had this for a while and thoroughly enjoyed the candied berry fruit that came through along with hint of spice and earth tones. This was good at a young age and has gotten better with just a few years on the rack. — 4 years ago