Caymus 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Special Selection

This flagship release from Caymus Vineyards offers bold Napa Valley intensity while displaying an elegant refinement rarely seen at this level. The 2020 “Special Selection” shows generous dark fruit, plush tannins and a polished finish — perfect for either immediate enjoyment or medium-term cellar aging.

Origins & Craftsmanship

From the Rutherford appellation in Napa Valley, this Special Selection bottling comes from hand-picked blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the Wagner family’s estate vineyards and closely-partnered growers. After fermentation, the wine is matured in French and American oak barrels (a significant portion new oak) to integrate structure and oak-derived spice. With the 2020 harvest benefiting from warm, consistent ripening conditions, this vintage yields rich fruit and full maturity. The finished wine is bottled at roughly 15% ABV and released without heavy filtration to preserve texture.

Critics Reviews

• Award-winning wine critic Ken Mills (Ken’s Wine Guide) rated the 2020 at 91.5 points, noting “midnight purple in colour, violet and black raspberry on the nose, spearmint and sage underpinning currant and licorice; the palate is full-bodied with espresso, black-cherry, dark cocoa, and firm but ripe tannins.”

• Wine merchant commentator Lisa Bennett described it as “silky yet structural — cassis and plum compote lead, then tobacco, sweet cigar box and ample oak spice carry through a long, polished finish.”

• A tasting panel at a Napa retail house reported: “Rich blackberry, boysenberry and dark chocolate dominate, with roasted vanilla bean and mocha weaving through; the tannin frame is refined, showing why this is Caymus’ top-tier Cabernet.”

Tasting Profile

• Nose: Deep ruby-garnet hue. Aromas of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, dark cherry, violet, cocoa powder, spearmint and tobacco leaf.

• Palate: Full bodied with weight and elegance. Lush plum and black-cherry fruit are joined by chocolate-covered espresso beans, licorice, cedar, and roasted vanilla. The tannins are fine-grained and integrated, with well-balanced acidity giving lift.

• Finish: Long and luxurious. Flavours of dark fruit linger alongside sweet oak spice, black tea tannin and a final whisper of smoke and cedar. Well suited for 5-10 years of cellaring.

Quick Overview