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!
— 10 months 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

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I corvined this last weekend and put it back in storage for tonight. I had a very different experience & thoughts on this wine last weekend un-decanted. This is wine comes from a period when I loved Caymus. After 2011 when they started picking later and at higher brix’s, they lost me but, got higher Parker scores and rave words from people that like sweeter Cabernet that drinks young.

Last weekend without a decant, very dominate bright cherries and vanilla.

Tonight, the nose reveals, dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominate, baked strawberries, black licorice, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, underbrush, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets.

The body is full, sexy, gorgeous and voluptuous. The structure, tension, length and balance are at the start of its high point with another 7-10 years of good drinking ahead. Dark, slightly syrupy currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, creamy, black raspberries, blueberries, black plum with lots of skin dominating, baked strawberries, black licorice to deep anise, vanilla, some clove and a touch nutmeg, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, dark spices with just a touch of palate heat, underbrush, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, volcanic minerals, black tea, touch of black coffee expresso, liqueur/dark berry cola, used leather, hints of graphite with ruby, fresh, dark, fresh, dark, red, blue florals with violets. The acidity is like a needed waterfall shower. The long finish is, deep, dark, well balanced, elegant, ruby, ripe, polished and persists endlessly.

It’s been awhile and I’ve missed it. This is a very good example of why I used to adore Caymus. — 7 years ago

Caro Clare

9.5

Vacation wine with my favorite people! — 9 years ago

with Nathan

Camille Puglia

9.2

The rose for people who don’t like rose — 9 years ago

Andrew S

9.1

Our prayers and thoughts go out to all the people affected by the fires in California. After a whole week, it still appears surreal and heartbreaking out there. — 9 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. — a year 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 — 3 years ago

Michael Seely

9.3

These people know chardonnay!!! Graceful! — 6 years ago

with Jeff and Joe

Mike Mayer

9.5

Upfront confession. This is my absolute most favorite winery in Napa. The Clarke family are super people (not to mention Spencer and Amizetta are from Texas). This wine is a beautiful deep ruby leaning almost to purple in color. Great hints of dark fruit, baking spices, cedar and leather on the nose. On the palate there are fantastic flavors of blueberries, black plums, dark cherries, cocoa and dark chocolate. The tannins are fully ripe and sweet. A very balanced wine with a long fruity finish. On top of making great wines they have an unparalleled view of Lake Hennessey from their outdoors tasting area. The only thing that would make this wine better is if I was sitting there enjoying it with the Clarke’s. — 7 years ago

with Lisa

Steven Beishuizen

9.0

I was at the winery many years ago the day that Sophia Coppola was up for her Oscar for Lost in Translation. I always thought of this as just a brand before that, but watching the tasting room volunteers beam with pride that day reminds me that the wine truly comes from the people that produce it. I know that sounds cheesy. I saw this in the liquor store for a decade before I bought it years ago. And now that many, many years have passed since those early wine years for me, I look at this wine fondly. Which is really what wine is all about. — 8 years ago

with Anita

Adam Reinhard

10

When a person you respect gives you a bottle they aught not give you, just make sure you open it with good people and good food. — 8 years ago

Austin Paramore

9.9

The best thing I’ve tasted at the ripe age of 34. People get very excited and very envious when I bring it to a party. Drank this one at my friend Eric’s Christmas party at his dad’s $13M Mansion eating Parkshore and dancing the night away with Ed, Amie, Chad, Melissa, Todd, Eric, Nelson, Ali, Liz, Pete, and many more. — 9 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

J Chechik

9.4

Terrific wines & great people at the tasting room! Visited recently & then opened this treat last nite - Walt Pinots are beautifully balanced & this Blue Jay has a lasting rich, cola body & finish. Love it. — 3 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. — 7 years ago

Gaetan Ciampini

9.2

This is why people (still ?;) ) drink claret — 7 years ago

Christen Sawyer

10

We had this at our office Christmas party and it was SO good! Group of very different people but we all agreed that this wine was 👌 — 8 years ago

Scott Petrus

8.9

Lotta fake news out there people. This is a great boogie at a good fair price. Cherry and acid in balance. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Flat out amazing. One of the greatest pinots I’ve ever had. Do people understand this is 16yrs old and it tastes like this? So much kirsch, blueberries, dates, blackberry stems. Impeccable texture. Can’t believe this is more than 7yrs old. — 9 years ago

with Dan, Benjamin and 1 other