Back when Napa Valley was just beginning to establish itself, a lot of California wines were sweet and multi-varietal wines. It wasn’t until wineries in the late sixties and early seventies started using Cabernet Sauvignon as the main grape that Napa Valley became known for it. One of the few pioneers to make a wine made of Cabernet Sauvignon was Caymus.
Caymus Vineyards was established in 1971 by Charles and Lorna Wagner with the help of their son Chuck. The Wagners have been wine growers since 1915, which they sold off to bulk wine at the time. It wasn’t until 1972 that they produced 240 cases and released their first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, they produce the Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, the Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Zinfandel, with production around 65,000 cases.
We just checked in their latest release, the 2013 vintage, and I was eager to taste this wine. The ‘13 vintage is being hailed as one of the greatest to come out of Napa Valley.
"This could turn out to be one of the most epic and awesome vintages the North Coast of California has ever produced...They are powerful, rich and concentrated, extremely well-delineated, and will be extremely long-lived..." - Robert Parker on the 2013 Vintage in Napa Valley
Right out of the gate, the 2013 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon was very enjoyable. There is a good amount of oak, and soft tannins that will allow the wine to age. That being said, there is no reason not to enjoy this wine now. Dark, rich fruit on the palate that will make it hold up to most meats and foods with spice. At $69.99, and 94 points, the 2013 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is a great deal that you can enjoy now and for years to come.
“A beautiful ripe, plump, fat and opulent style of Cabernet Sauvignon that Caymus has pioneered, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon has a dense purple color, loads of juicy blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, low acidity and no real evidence of oak, but a nice, plush, full-bodied opulence. This is irresistible… Drink it over the next decade or more.” 94 - RP