Caymus Vineyards was founded in Napa Valley by Charlie Wagner, his wife Belle Glos and their son Chuck in 1971. The first Caymus wine, 240 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, was released in 1972. Over the 45 years that followed, Caymus wine has become an icon of Napa Valley and production has grown to 65,000 cases.

Caymus Vineyards is still 100% family-owned. Much of their wine comes from estate vineyards, 350 acres in all, located throughout Napa Valley. The Caymus wine line-up includes Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Caymus Napa Valley Zinfandel and their flagship wine, Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon.

The signature style of Caymus wine is based on ripe fruit and mouth-filling structure. The fine, Napa Valley weather allows grapes to hang on the vine into early Fall without risk. This extended ripening yields rich, jammy fruit and plush, melt-in-your-mouth tannins.

While Caymus wines are focused just on Napa Valley Cabernet and Zinfandel, the Wagner family has other wine labels too, including Mer Soleil, Emmolo and Conundrum, the latter a trend-setting white wine.

Caymus Vineyards produces two Cabernet Sauvignons – a “Napa Valley” and the venerable “Special Selection”. Both Cabernet bottlings have aromas and flavors which can only be achieved through “hang time” – a technique which chances the loss of crop if early winter sets in. The Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon bottling is a rich, fruit-driven wine with enticing secondary flavors contributed by new oak barrels. The wine is always a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes taken from eight of Napa Valley’s sixteen AVAs.

The 2008 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is a true gem from the heart of California's prestigious North Coast region. Hailing from the world-renowned Napa Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a testament to the winemaking prowess of its producer, Caymus. This vintage was a standout year, bringing forth a wine with an open, fruity character that is both rich and lush.

The wine's appearance is as stunning as its taste, presenting with a color that is literally black at the core, fading to a dark ruby rim. The nose is quintessentially Napa Cab, offering a complex mix of aromas including cassis, plum, coffee, and a touch of toasty oak that hints at the wine's careful aging process.

On the palate, the 2008 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is quite expansive. It is here that the wine truly shines, unfolding with notes of red and black fruits, sage, dark chocolate, and a touch of Rutherford dust. The finish is long and persistent, repeating the core flavor themes in a satisfying finale.

Though still a baby in wine years, this Cabernet Sauvignon is already delicious, boasting a full-bodied, supple texture that is a hallmark of the Caymus brand. With a score of 93 from Wine Spectator and an even more impressive 95 from John Sweeney of JJ Buckley, it's clear this wine is a winner. Drink now through 2018 to appreciate its full range of flavors. The 2008 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is indeed a standout wine, honoring its Napa roots with every sip.