Caymus has been around for so long there is a tendency to under-estimate their wines. However, they have a brilliant track record as evidenced by the decade old 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection. Abundant chocolaty, black currant, licorice and coffee aromas soar from the glass of this perfumed wine. It exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color, wonderful opulence, a deep, full-bodied mouthfeel, fabulous depth and not a hard edge to be found. While seemingly fully mature, the supple tannins, expansive fruit and glycerin, depth and overall balance suggest it will keep for another 15+ years. - Robert Parker

If generally among the richest Cabernets of the year, Caymus Special Selection bottlings are also among the most outgoing and obvious as well, and this latest very much proves the rule. Immensely oaky, but brought into balance by an equal measure of deep and dramatic fruit, the wine is laced with sweet spice and loamy complexities and is both concentrated and keenly focused from beginning to end. Its fine-grained tannins are so well woven as to be nearly unnoticeable, but they provide just the right spine and insurance for age. Three to five years should make a great thing better, and that many more may show this one at its best.

Aging very well, with ripe, juicy wild berry, jam and spice. Full-bodied and persistent, gaining velocity and depth, impressive for its vibrancy and focus. Ends with firm tannins.—2001 California Cabernet blind retrospective (June 2011). Drink now through 2015. – JL