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!
— 2 months ago

David Walser

9.4

Thanksgiving with relatives. Brother-in-law never has had an Opus One so I dug into the cellar and found my last one; a 1989 half bottle. I thought it was passed its prime but the brother-in-law thought it was wonderful! I’m not remembering where this vintage rated. Some people just like the funkiness of old wines but I just like them much younger. It was time for this one to go away and am glad some got some enjoyment out of it. His rating, not mine. I gave up on the brand several years ago, sold off my collection at a profit and haven’t looked back. I’ll try it if it is presented to me but don’t have a desire to purchase anymore. — 4 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

The wine of the night for the most people. Beat giacosa Ashli blind. Tasted blind. Nose mint. Palate early season and medium cherry fruit. Early season cherry Fresh. Grippy. Juicy. Spicy. Finish is grippy. — 6 years ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.6

It’s a limestone party here! Very chalky and sharply acidic. Many people will love it. Fine and long. — 6 months ago

Spencer Dodd

9.0

A solid budget “Beauj”. This actually tastes like terroir and you can tell the winemaker is trying to not get too involved in the cellar unlike last nights moulin a vent. A lightness and tartness that is quite fun raspberry notes of fruit and a lot of acidity lead to a good drinking wine. Perhaps cherry notes in the middle? The finish isn’t huge but it does linger after swallowing. Actually the nose is quite pretty. Lilac notes? A flower. Highly recommended. The light tartness on the finish might a little much for some people. Maybe air will mellow it. Will buy again.
Edit: after 20 or 30 min of air the tart end integrates and the wine smoothed even more out. This probably deserves a higher rating than 9. Highly recommended — 2 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Seemed like the right time to open this. The candy like flavor that I see people complain about had blown off this wine and it just had this incredible purple inky color and rim to it. Very enjoyable. Still had good fruit and sweetness without losing too much luster. Caymus used to age forever but I would drink these up by 10th bday. — 4 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.8

Wow. I think this was many people wine of the night and with all the incredible somms present that’s saying something. Alive, fresh, focused, elegant, bright. Blockbuster. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.4

My second set of wines to provide as part of a co-host event.

I picked these up during a visit to Morlet in the fall of ‘21. Sadly, these are the last of my initial stash. 58 semillon/36 SB/6 Muscat.

Poured blind for a group of 20 people at the end of a wine event, I was shocked that not one single person called this Cali. Many Sauternes, Barsac, and a few South African dessert wine guesses. It’s undeniably sporting botrytis flavors, but the richness has a wonderful spine of acidity. Honeyed mango, white peach and chock-full of orange blossom on the nose, there’s added candied spice and honeycomb on the palate. Didn’t pick up any nutty flavors (which I enjoy in Sauternes), but this was also fairly young. Extremely “fresh” for a dessert wine, if that makes sense. Best Cali dessert wine I’ve had, I think. — 2 years ago

Jim McCusker

10

From back when I could afford Realm (was one of the early people on their mailing list thanks to a chance meeting with Juan Mercado), this wine was absolutely breathtaking. Classic Napa cab…and one of the few 10s I’ve ever given out. Just amazing. — 4 years ago

with Vanessa

Michael Seely

9.3

These people know chardonnay!!! Graceful! — 5 years ago

with Jeff and Joe