Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

About this wine

Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship wine of Caymus Vineyards, produced only in exceptional vintage years from the finest barrels of the estate's Napa Valley vineyards. Renowned for its opulent, lush, and concentrated profile, it exhibits intense aromas of dark berries, crème de cassis, and sweet oak, followed by a velvety, full-bodied palate with polished tannins. Named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year in both 1984 and 2010, it represents the pinnacle of the Wagner family's winemaking craft and defines the modern Napa Valley style.

Sommelier's Note

"Caymus Special Selection is a flawless masterpiece of Napa Valley winemaking — experience its legendary opulent texture at least once in your lifetime."

Food Pairings

This opulent Cabernet pairs beautifully with grilled ribeye steak, roasted prime rib, braised short ribs, rack of lamb, aged cheeses such as aged cheddar or manchego, and rich dark chocolate desserts. Its ripe fruit and polished tannins stand up to bold, savory dishes.

When to drink it

Ideal for milestone celebrations such as anniversaries, promotions, and retirements. Perfect for luxury dinners and as a prestigious gift for wine connoisseurs and collectors. A memorable choice for New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, and other special occasions worthy of splurging.

Specs

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon

Style

Red

Price Range

¥20,000-35,000

Terroir & Winemaking

100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from select Napa Valley vineyards. The wine undergoes extended maceration to extract deep color, concentration, and fine-grained tannins. Aged in a high percentage of new French oak barrels for approximately 18-22 months, which imparts signature notes of cocoa, vanilla, and sweet spice. Grapes are harvested at peak maturity to ensure the characteristic lushness. Produced only once per year as a single vintage bottling from only the finest barrels selected across the estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Caymus Special Selection taste like?

It offers concentrated flavors of dark berries, blackcurrant (crème de cassis), dark chocolate, cocoa, and vanilla from new oak. The texture is velvety and full-bodied with polished, fine-grained tannins.

What food pairs best with Caymus Special Selection?

It pairs best with rich red meats like grilled ribeye, roasted lamb, and braised short ribs. For Japanese cuisine, sukiyaki with wagyu beef and beef sinew stew with red miso are excellent matches.

When is the best time to drink it?

It is delicious upon release but will continue to evolve and improve with cellar aging for 15-20 years. Decanting for at least one hour before serving is recommended to fully open up the wine's aromas.

How is Caymus Special Selection different from regular Caymus Cabernet?

Special Selection represents the pinnacle of Caymus production — only the finest barrels from the best vineyards are selected each year, and it is aged longer with a higher proportion of new French oak, resulting in greater complexity and concentration.

Has Caymus Special Selection won any major awards?

Yes — it was named Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year twice: in 1984 and again in 2010, making it one of only a handful of wines to have received this honor more than once.