It doesn’t get much better or more stereotypical Napa Valley red than this!

Caymus is an entrenched Napa brand.  Big time rich, deep, and larger than life, their wines are those one thinks of when lusting after one the luscious reds Napa Valley was initially made famous by.

Tastes have swung the entire length of pendulum these days to include lighter more nuanced styles, but that’s not to say this wine does not have its place as one with an historical and anchor-like style.  And let’s just acknowledge it goes fabulously with steak.

This Cab is the less intense sibling to the famous Special Selection that Caymus has produced since 1972 – and which has been awarded Wine Spectator’s wine of the year title twice. Grapes were picked from 8 different sub-appellations throughout Napa and blended together to produce it.

On the eyes, it’s deep purple with a pretty violet rim and aromas of ripe Damson plum, berry, vanilla pod and a dusting of black pepper.

The palate is dry with tamed tannins and solid body with flavours of plum, blackberry and cassis, black licorice, vanilla, tobacco leaf and light, peppery spice.

Solid, it’s got 8-10 years to go but is drinking beautifully and is completely accessible now.  There’s lots of extraction and richness to this wine – which I should mention is sold in an unusual 1 litre format.

WSET Very Good
Bottle picture from the winery website.