Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2023 (1 Liter)

Look what you made us do. We brought in more Caymus. This time, we chose the current release of their original Napa Valley Cabernet. And we went a little wild and got the ONE LITER... but is it wild, or practical? 

Because a standard bottle doesn’t quite cover having a few friends over. But a 1L? 33% bigger, snappy price, perfect. Some retailers have this for $100, but we’re doing $74.95.

Caymus is still 100% owned by the Wagner family, who have made their winery the go-to for indulgent flavors year after year. That ultra-plush texture and kiss of sweetness are reporting for duty here! But do we detect a little extra finesse? Yes, we do! The 2023 growing season is widely considered by winemakers and critics to be one of the finest we’ve seen in Napa in years. In typical, understated winemaker fashion, Chuck Wagner puts his enthusiasm thus: “2023 is a classic Caymus Cabernet vintage, a personal favorite. I relish vintages like this. The growing season was relatively uneventful.” 

Uneventful, sir?! Or do you mean exceptionally cold and long – an achingly slow build of elegant flavor and graceful acid, unmarred by horrid heat spikes and nasty rainstorms, allowing you to pick at the moment of your choosing? This bottle stays true to the house style, but you can look forward to a little extra freshness, acid, and structural refinement. Ken’s Wine Guide gives it 93 points, noting “shy black licorice and cherry-cola bouquet with hints of tobacco leaf, violet, and chocolate.” We like the crushed-mint verve energizing thick black cherry cordial, and who can resist those Heath Bar and clove notes?  

The fruit comes from a big handful of vineyards spanning Coombsville to Calistoga. You have a tour of the valley, a generously sized bottle, a stellar vintage, and below-winery price – don’t hold yourself back! P.S. Stumbled on a surprisingly good pairing last night: this Cab with chocolate chip cookies -- the classic "Joy of Cooking" recipe.