CAYMUS VINEYARDS | California | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022
cabernet sauvignon

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Nestled in Rutherford, in the very heart of Napa Valley, Caymus Vineyards is a family-run winery with a rich legacy dating back to its founding in 1972. It was established by Chuck Wagner alongside his parents, Lorna and Charlie Sr., starting with a modest production of Cabernet Sauvignon. From its inception, the winery has been dedicated to crafting wines that would reflect the unique character of California’s diverse terroirs. The recent introduction of the Caymus California Cabernet Sauvignon marks a new chapter in their history, reflecting the family’s enduring passion for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety. Today we are going to review a wine that hardly requires any introduction, as this is one of the most iconic wine labels from California – California Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 by Caymus Vineyards. Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s most recognized grape variety that can be found all over the world in a wide range of climates and regions. Originating in Bordeaux as a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, it has spread to every wine-producing area, adapting to an extraordinary range of climates, producing wines of remarkable structure and longevity. Cabernet Sauvignon is also a late ripening grape variety, which means that it is best suited for warm climates, where it is capable to produce wines that can reach into realms of perfection, where they are rarely followed. It serves as the backbone of the famous Bordeaux blends, while also offering some of the world’s finest single-varietal wines, especially popular in regions such as Napa Valley, Coonawarra, Margaret River, Maipo Valley, Stellenbosch, and Bolgheri. Powerful yet refined, Cabernet Sauvignon has earned its reputation as the undisputed king of noble red grape varieties.

Made entirely of cabernet sauvignon grapes sourced from low-yielding vineyards grown on low-fertility soils across the whole of California wine region – all of them prime sites, including esteemed areas like Paso Robles, or lesser-known yet equally promising regions in Lake, San Benito, and Monterey counties, that can produce exceptional Cabernet. This single-varietal masterpiece is a testament to the grape’s desire for perfection and a tribute to agriculture, showcasing its vibrant fruit expression alongside a commitment to a distinctive style that combines the rich expression of the fruit with the signature hallmarks of Caymus wine: dark fruit, robust structure, depth and nuance. The grapes are meticulously hand-picked from low-yielding vineyards, ensuring concentration and quality. The winemaking process involves an extended period of skin-contact maceration, allowing for maximum extraction of color and flavor, followed by maturation in a combination of partly new and partly used french oak barrels, in order to achieve depth, and aromatic complexity, followed by at least six months of bottle aging before the wine was deemed ready for the market release.

California is responsible for nearly 90% of U.S. wine production and home to some of the world’s most diverse and celebrated vineyards. Its vast size and geographical diversity mean that nearly every grape variety can be found here. The region’s mediterranean climate, moderated by the Pacific Ocean, provides warm, dry summers and mild winters, with local influences such as fog, elevation, and coastal breezes creating very distinct microclimates across the region. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Syrah and Pinot Noir dominate the landscape, but the sheer range of terroirs – from the cool Sonoma Coast to the sun-drenched Central Valley – encourages winemakers to experiment with lesser-known grape varieties. California wines are famous for their intensity, aromatic depth, and complexity, blending tradition winemaking with cutting-edge technology.

The grapes for the Caymus California Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from diverse microterroirs across the Golden State – from Paso Robles to Monterey. But all these locations has one thing in common: stony, low-fertility soils that stress the vines, prompting them to dig deeper and concentrate flavors in the berries. All the sites are on south-facing slopes, maximizing sun exposure, and benefit from moderately warm micro-climates moderated by the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean. This maritime air, funneled inland, creates significant diurnal temperature variations, preserving vibrant acidity while reaching full phenolic ripeness. This unique combination of dry farming, high-density plantings, and low yields creates that signature dark fruit, rich, and dense wines that Caymus Vineyards are famous for.

color: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy & vibrant ruby hues

In the glass, the wine presents a deep and opaque ruby color, offering that classic Cabernet Sauvignon appearance. Towards the rim of the glass, hazy and vibrant ruby shades emerge, hinting at the wine’s immense concentration and depth.

intensity: expressive & fruity-forward
fruit character: ripe & jammy fruits

On the nose, this wine is an immediate declaration of its pedigree: an expressive and pronounced fruity-forward aromatic profile, dominated by a ripe and jammy fruit character. It reveals a multi-layered, nuanced, and complex bouquet that balances rich fruit nuance with sophisticated, oak-derived notes. In the foreground, a dense tapestry of dark fruits unfolds with notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, bitter cherry, black plum, aronia berry, and mulberry. These are beautifully interwoven with prominent oak tones of toasted oakwood, sweet vanilla, and tobacco, softened by elegant touches of liquorice, dates, and dried figs. As the aroma evolves, the background introduces a delicate spicy  layer with hints of peppercorn, anise, cloves, and nutmeg. Subtle terroir-driven notes of charcoal, pencil lead, dust, and crushed granite add a subtle earthy dimension, while sweet nuances of black mulberry jam and bitter cherry jam provide an inviting lusciousness.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: fine
finish: lasting | aftertaste: crisp & heady

The palate mirrors the opulence of the nose, delivering a ripe, expressive, and pleasantly seedy mouthfeel. This is a textbook new-world styled Cabernet Sauvignon win, showcasing an extracted and nuanced rich fruit character with a pronounced fruit-forward accent. The wine feels dry, with bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the fruit, maintaining a lively and dynamic presence. A well-integrated touch of alcoholic warmth adds depth and power without ever feeling intrusive. The tannins are firm and ripe with a seedy touch, coating the mouth with a velvety texture that builds structure without overwhelming the senses. The body is full, ample, and powerful, yet balanced, leading to a crisp and heady aftertaste that lingers, leaving an enduring impression of dark fruit, savory spice, and profound complexity.

maturity: developing | needs time to evolve | drink now or in the next 5 to 7 years
verdict: great | a benchmark wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

Overall, this is, without a shadow of a doubt, a modern-bred Cabernet Sauvignon with an undeniable new-world character – a true tribute dedicated to agriculture and the mastery of varietal expression. It manages to deliver the luscious richness of the fruit alongside elegant oak-derived touches, all underscored by subtle yet distinct terroir influences. A wine that is beautifully structured, complex, and expressive, showcasing a ripe and slightly jammy fruit profile that prioritizes varietal identity over earthy delicacy. Its grippy and voluptuous mouthfeel delivers remarkable depth and nuance, feeling fruit-forward, firm, and full-bodied from start to finish. While not restrained in its use of oak, the integration is harmonious, adding extra complexity and aromatic sophistication, reinforcing the wine’s powerful varietal character. This is one of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines we have tasted lately, mixing power with nuance and richness with expanse – a textbook single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from California that, while enjoyable today, is still developing and possesses great aging potential, promising even greater aromatic complexity after 5 to 7 more years of bottle aging. This is a wine designed for long-term evolution and certainly has all the traits to become iconic.

Given its bold character and profound fruit expression, this wine is an ideal partner for robust and flavorful dishes. A classic choice would be a slow-braised lamb shank with rosemary and garlic reduction, where the wine’s ripe tannins will beautifully cut through the rich fat of the lamb, while its dark fruit and spice notes will resonate harmoniously with the savory herbs in the dish. For a more gastronomical pairing, consider a grilled prime sirloin steak with a wild mushroom and truffle sauce, as the wine’s powerful structure will stand up to the meat’s intensity, and its earthy undertones will find a perfect match in the umami-rich sauce of the dish, creating a complementary pairing of exceptional depth. Enjoy!
CAYMUS VINEYARDS | California | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2022
variety: cabernet sauvignon
country: USA
region: California
rating: 95.9

The story of Caymus Vineyards started when Chuck Wagner, along with his late parents, opened the winery in 1972, initially producing a mere 240 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Caymus Vineyards remains 100% family-owned, with the next generation actively involved in continuing this remarkable winemaking legacy. The launch of the Caymus California Cabernet Sauvignon is an exciting expansion, showcasing their belief in the diverse vineyard lands throughout the state, beyond just Napa Valley. Today’s label embodies their philosophy that sharing good company, great food, and delicious wine is one of life’s biggest fortunes.

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