Caymus A Wine Lover’s All
My all time favorite wine. If you can find something better for $60, buy it.
I consider myself very, very fortunate to have had the opportunity to taste a lot of unique and excellent wines over the years. From food & wine festivals to vineyards visits, industry tastings to Vegas splurges, and especially in the homes of wine-loving friends, Ive had old and rare Burgundies, vineyard-only wines that are never sold elsewhere, famed Bordeaux, and obscure California cult wines.
Along the way I have learned that there is no such thing as a best wine, and each great bottle and varietal is suited to certain foods or occasions. But that does not mean I cant have a favorite. I do, and it is Caymus.
Ive had the good fortune to enjoy several other vintages since, and it has never disappointed. It is harder for something to be excellent when you have high expectations that it will be excellent, and I have this expectation every time I taste Caymus, yet it holds up, year after year.
I am not exactly alone in this opinion, and certainly did not discover Caymus. It has won just about every award in the business, and was named Best Winery for Cabernet by Wine Spectator magazine, which also put Caymus in its Hall of Fame. Pretty much like clockwork, the wines get 5-stars from and Quarterly Review of Wines just about every year, and consistently are rated between 91-98 points by Wine Spectator.
What Type Of Wine Is Caymus
Caymus Vineyards is known for its flagship Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon. Their signature style is fruit-forward with deep color and elegant, smooth tannins. It’s a wine that ages well, so it can be enjoyed now or cellared. Other non-Cabernet varietals of Caymus wine for sale as part of the Wagner Family of Wine include the very affordable Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon. If you would like to experience an assortment of Caymus wines, we offer a Caymus Vineyards & Wagner Family Wine Tasting Set.
Caymus Napa Cabernet 750ml
In Stock
This wine has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe, velvety tannins as approachable in youth as in maturity. Caymus farms Cabernet grapes in eight of Napas 16 sub-appellations, with diversification enabling the winery to make the best possible wine in a given year. This Cabernet offers layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis, and ripe dark berries.
| Vintage |
|---|
Read Also: Where To Buy Bonny Doon Wine
Which Wine Regions Are In California
From North to South, the main regions are Mendocino, Lake, Napa Valley, Sonoma, Livermore Valley, Lodi, Sierra Foothills, Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey, Paso Robles and Santa Barbara.
California is a vast region that consists of several smaller wine-producing areas. Although Napa Valley and Sonoma are what California is most known for, the states other regions produce equally outstanding wines.
Napa Valley and Paso Robles are renowned for the bold reds of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, as well as the scenic wine route which offers unique experiences to wine lovers. On the contrary, Santa Barbara and The Russian River Valley, with conditions more suited to delicate grapes, produce outstanding expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Each of these regions offers a unique take on the wines of California allowing for a greater expression and experience of what the Golden State can truly offer.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
learn more about producers & collectors
Wine Advocate | Rating: 86Readers wanting a jolt of blatant toasty oak with straightforward flavors reminiscent of cherry syrup, coffee, and herbs mig…
Self | Rating: Far better than anticipated. Parker said to drink by 2010, so I assumed it would be in decline because his drinking ranges are so incre…
Caymus Vineyards was founded in 1972 by the Wagner family in Napa Valley’s Rutherford district. The Wagners originally immigrated to the San Francisco…
Also Check: Where To Find Marsala Wine At Kroger
Does Caymus Use Mega Purple
I cant find a solid answer on this. Ive tried both special selection 2014 and the regular cab from 2017. Really enjoyed both bottles but Ive read some things that suggest that they use Mega Purple in their wines. Is this true? Is there a confirmed source on this? How much does it really matter?
- Some people prefer organic food without additives, other like a real Rolex over a fake one, some people drink bottled water rather then take a chance with drinking water from the tap. If you are ok with wines that are treated with chemicals, have added sugar and coloring to make it taste better… then enjoy. I would prefer to drink wine that nature, soil, terror, climate and a good wine maker can deliver without “faking it”.
It’s highly unlikely that you’ll get a confirmed source on this. Wineries, particularly higher end wineries are not forthcoming about their use of Mega Purple, when they do use it.
How much does it matter? To a large extent that depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a wine that’s a pure expression of the Napa terroir and the barrels it’s aged in, obviously the addition of Mega Purple will detract from that. In the case of Mega Purple specifically, it adds a darker coloration but at the expense of aroma and potentially added sweetness.
Opus One Vs Caymus: The Main Differences
In general, Opus One wines are more herbaceous, earthy, and acidic than Caymus wines, which tend to be fruity, bold, and rich. Opus One wines also dont taste as approachable in their youth as wines from Caymus. Thats because Opus One wines are specifically designed for long-term agingtheir firm tannins and prominent acidity soften with time, making them delicious and very collectible with age. However, there are many other differences between these producers beyond flavor and aging potential, such as the grapes used in the blend, the vineyards location, and the wines average price and collectibility.
Blends and Harvesting Techniques
Opus One produces two labels, Opus One and Overture. Both labels are made from a traditional Bordeaux-style blend of about 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, ten percent Petit Verdot, ten percent Merlot, and about five percent or less of Cabernet Franc and Malbec . These wines have soft, supple tannins and flavors of earth, herbs, cigar box, and spice. Opus Ones winemakers handpick the grapes just after they ripen to preserve the fruits acidity. As a result, these wines are well-balanced, elegant, and fresh.
Both of Caymus wines are much sweeter and fuller-bodied than either Opus One or Overture.
Vineyard Location
Price Per Bottle
To decide which wines youd rather drink, try doing a blind tasting of the same vintages from each producer.
Don’t Miss: How To Make A Pallet Wine Rack
Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley California Wine Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus Vineyards, CaliforniaCabernet Sauvignon wine producer profile, wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, history of the property, information on their wine making techniques, terroir and soil. You can also read about the Grapes used for California wine and learn about the extensive History of Napa Valley, California Wines
Caymus History, Overview
Caymus Vineyards and the Wagner family both have a long history in the Napa valley area. The Wagner family moved to the area in 1906, following the San Francisco earthquake. They started planting planting vineyards that same year in the Rutherford appellation. By 1915, they were growing their own grapes for use in bulk wines. In 1941, before America entered World War 2, the Wagner family bought 73 acres of prime vineyard land in Rutherford. It took over 20 years before they were able to truly start seriously planting grapevines. Prior to being planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, the land they bought had been used primarily as a fruit ranch.
They did this with the help of Randy Dunn, who later formed his own, eponymous winery. In fact, the creation of Caymus Special Selection was due to suggestions from Randy Dunn. At first, Caymus Special Selection was aged up to 4 years in a combination of new and old, French oak barrels. Today, more new oak is used, up to 90%, but the aging time has been reduced to an average of 18 months.
Serving and Caymus with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Where In California Is The Wine Country
The Californian wine country is in the North San Francisco Bay area, with over 800 wineries located all along this scenic route. The Bay area encompasses some of the world’s most famous wine regions, including Napa Valley and Sonoma.
The success of these famous regions within the Bay area is largely to do with the sound soil composition and ideal climatic conditions. Each region is fortunate to have a wide range of temperatures and soil types, allowing the brilliant variety of grapes to thrive here.
Read Also: How Long Does Red Wine Last In The Fridge
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- Designation of origin Napa Valley
- Regulated Designation American Viticultural Areas
- Grape variety Cabernet sauvignon 100 %
- Degree of alcohol 14.8 %
- Promoting agent Les Sélections François Fréchette
- SAQ code 10413790
Note: Information on products displayed on SAQ.COM, such as the vintage or the labelling of bottles, may vary depending on the lots received and may differ from the information on products in stock online and/or in stores. Reduced prices displayed on SAQ.COM do not apply in SAQ Dépôt stores. Full details in Terms and conditions. SAQ Inspire points are available to members only. For more details, refer to the programs terms and conditions.
SAQ.COM, where new products come first
New products every week
Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon
Product Details
Caymus is synonymous with Cabernet Sauvignon. This renowned winery in Rutherford, California was established in 1972 by Charles and Lorna Wagner along with their son Chuck. For over 40 years, the Wagner family has worked together building the Caymus brand. Winemaker Chuck Wagner prides the winery on going to great lengths to produce a high quality, consistent Cabernet every vintage. Enjoy this large format 2014 Caymus Special Selection today.
Personalize this 2014 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon bottle with a custom etching hand-painted in gold, and give it as a gift to a wine drinker in your life!
*Due to the nature of this large format product, it may be subject to an extended lead time in production. If you need this product for an expedited occasion please contact us prior to ordering to ensure a timely delivery.
*This product is not eligible for promotional offers
More Details
Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Shaoxing Wine
Comparing The Best Opus One And Caymus Vintages
Blind tasting is the best way to identify the wines that appeal most to you and to compare Opus One vs. Caymus on a level playing field. For an apples-to-apples comparison, taste the flagship labels separately from the second labels . Its also important to taste the same vintage side by side, as some vintages are bolder and more concentrated than others. For example, in 2015, California experienced a heatwave, and, as a result, most of the wines from Napa Valley that year are higher in alcohol and residual sugar than usual. Comparing 2015 Opus One to a cooler Caymus vintage, like the 2010 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection, will provide an atypical example of the differences and similarities between these producers.
Keep in mind that average critic scores arent the most important factor to consider when you shop for wine.
In the list below, youll see how some notable recent vintages from Opus One and Caymus stack up against each other :
| Opus One | |
| 2012 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection | 92 points |
It’s All In The Details
Users have rated this wine 5 out of 5 stars.
Caymus makes one of Napa Valley’s most popular Cabernet Sauvignons and 2019 is another stellar wine.
The just-released 2019 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet could be the 49th vintage of this iconic brand I have tasted my favorites have been the 1972 and 1973 vintages. Over the last two decades, the wines have amused me as they have taken intriguing turns in the road. The 2019 vintage, the winery’s best in recent times, is exciting and profound. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows up with the lasting power of black fruit and licorice. Its layers of persistent and formidable fruit could turn a semi-vegetarian into a carnivore
Don’t Miss: How To Make A Pallet Wine Rack
Buy Caymus Wine For Less At Buywinesonlinecom
From Napa Valley to Argentina, you can count on us to bring you the best wines at prices you’ll love. Peruse our inventory for your favorite varietals or discover something new. Fill your cellar with premium collectible wines or stock up for a party with just a few clicks of your mouse. Shop for Caymus wine online today!
Filters
Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Product Details
Caymus is synonymous with Cabernet Sauvignon. This renowned winery in Rutherford, California was established in 1972 by Charles and Lorna Wagner along with their son Chuck. For over 40 years, the Wagner family has worked together building the Caymus brand. Winemaker Chuck Wagner prides the winery on going to great lengths to produce high quality, consistent Cabernet every vintage.
*Due to the nature of this large-format product, it may be subject to an extended lead time in production. If you need this product for an expedited occasion, please contact us prior to ordering to ensure a timely delivery.
More Details
Don’t Miss: Stella Rosa Black Alcohol Percent
Choosing Between Opus One And Caymus
To decide which wine is right for you, its helpful to consider whether you usually prefer Old-World or New-World wines. Collectors who love New-World styles will likely prefer the sweet, fruity taste of Caymus, while collectors who enjoy more herbaceous and earthy notes will favor Opus Ones Bordeaux-style blends. However, keep in mind that while Opus One does taste more similar to classic Bordeaux than Caymus does, these wines still have a great deal of New-World influence. Opus One is a great transition wine for people who normally only drink Old-World wines and would like to branch out into more modern California wines. Likewise, Opus One is a great option for collectors who usually only drink New-World wines and would like to explore more traditional styles.
Generally, Opus One is a better investment for collectors who want to resell their collections on the secondary market.
Price is another factor to consider when comparing Opus One vs. Caymus. Generally, Opus One is a better investment for collectors who want to resell their collections on the secondary market, as these wines are more sought after and increase significantly in value over time. For example, Opus One frequently ranks among the top 20 best-performing wines on the market each year, according to Liv-ex. Caymus wines can be resold as well, but you will generally make less profit from selling these bottles.
What Is The Famous Wine Region Featured In The Movie Sideways
Thats Santa Barbara.
The greatest attribute of Sideways is that it promoted Pinot Noir, which became very popular because of the movie.
The region of Santa Barbara offers a great variety of unique tasting options with over 120 different wineries to choose from. This region is off-the-beaten-track, but should not be underestimated. Sideways drew much-needed attention to this region and all that it has to offer.
Read Also: Can You Mail Wine Via Ups
Caymus 1 Liter 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
With thrilling levels of extract and velvety tannins that are almost impossible to detect, Caymus performs on a grand stage with their exuberant, plump, beautifully ripe Cabernet Sauvignons a style that theyve undoubtedly pioneered. This liquid definition of Regal arose from a matrix of carefully farmed vineyards, and the irresistible set of flavors were achieved through extended hang time, which is a technique where the fruit is kept on the vine unusually long, allowing the berries to develop an attractive suppleness and perfectly mature flavors. At under $100, their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in special 1 liter bottles is absolutely an American Icon that delivers sensational levels of joy.
The winery excelled in 2017, and this new release asserts enormous extract and powerful richness that envelopes your palate with a compelling crescendo of sweet crème de cassis, blueberry pie and creamy vanilla. These very special Caymus 1 Liter Bottle contains 33% more wine than a regular bottle, and are a necessity with the 2017 vintage a 750ml is simply not enough of this pleasure-filled Cabernet Sauvignon.
Opus One Vs Caymus: Which Should You Collect
Comparing Opus One vs. Caymus reveals that Opus One is earthier, while Caymus is more fruit-forward.
MENTIONED IN THIS POST:
As two of the biggest names in the Napa Valley wine industry, Opus One and Caymus make highly sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon blends of outstanding quality. However, this is where their similarities end. When you compare Opus One vs. Caymus, theres a clear difference in style and flavorthe former is heavily inspired by Old-World Bordeaux blends, while the latter is unapologetically New World in style. In simplistic terms, Opus One is elegant and complex and Caymus is powerful and concentrated. For this reason, most wine lovers will have a clear preference for one producer over the other. In this guide, youll learn what the flavor differences are between Opus One and Caymus as well as the differences in value, age-worthiness, and collectability so that you can curate your ideal collection of great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Recommended Reading: Wine With Lowest Sugar Content
