Angelo Casagrande

9.1

Deep purple hue. Mouthfilling plum, blackberry and raspberry, with some spice/ pepper in there. Not a fruit bomb. There’s nuance here. Had this with grilled porterhouse. Excellent. Finishing it solo- equally good. — 11 days ago

Michael Burke

10

Tasty - good for steak — 3 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on March 19, 2026 at Home]

Blackberry and black cherry fruit, with vanilla, chocolate and licorice notes. Plush wine which has aged well. — 3 months ago

Louis Martin

9.1

Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 5 months ago

Brada

9.0

Very dark with a robust taste. I would buy it again. — 8 months ago

Kland Aida

9.0

A good wine. Oak, a bit of chocolate, dark fruit and cherry. Pretty dry but smooth enough that easy to drink. — 9 months ago

J-Philippe Chartier

9.3

On s’en va là l’automne prochain! C’est un 2018, belle maturité- fruits murs et belle longueur d’un vin corsé et complexe. — 2 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

Ten years post vintage, the 2016 shows little sign of age. Dark, warming, smooth and rich. Dusty tannins and the 15.5% alcohol has mellowed as has the typical peppery bite on the back-end of Zins. All around, still drinking great — a month ago

Gord Dowbiggin

9.1

Perfumed nose. Rich, deep cherry and tar layers. Firm structure but forward. Heaviest 750 ml bottle I've ever held! — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2024 vintage. Last tasted 9.3.25 (9.3). Still a fave CA white-especially for the price. A touch of class. 3.12.26. — 3 months ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Lot of dark fruit: blackberries, blueberries, and a tinge of spice. Dark, the wine smells like it tastes. Good value. — 4 months ago

ESF

9.8

Last bottle — opened for an old friend and like the PN alongside, this was a stunner, nearly flawless. Intact cork, bunch of sediment, and after only half hour in the decanter it was game time. Had PN and this alongside gorgeous ribeye — 9 months ago

Alexandre Czesnat

8.9

BlackBerry, Oak, Tobbaco aromas, chocolate, a bold Cabernet Sauvignon with really good quality — a year ago

Jeff Thompson

10

Nose is vanilla ice cream and and raspberries. Tastes beautiful at first with more fruity raspberry and vanilla cream goodness. As it develops it gets drier and more leathery. Delicious. — 5 years ago

Alf Aguirre

9.0

Me encantó súper suave al paladar muy delicado, recomendadisimo — 23 days ago

Josh Armenta

9.0

Great wine that needs a bit to open and express its fresh fruit and balance. — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.5

1 hour decant(lots of sediment). A gorgeous purplish garnet color. On the nose: Intoxicating musky notes of dark fruit, potting soil, worn leather, truffles, stewed meat, slight menthol. Taste: velvety, seamless, balanced, intense wine with dark fruit, cassis, earth, tobacco, mineral, herbs, and a chocolate graphite long never-ending finish. YUM! This wine has aged gracefully and has more gas in the tank. Enjoy. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Lois Bloom

9.0

Wood Ranch yummy dinner on a very windy night before NY Eve, almost the end of 2025. Thanks to Mitch and Krista for Xmas gift card here. — 6 months ago

Dean Quintal

9.5

Deep, dense red-purple hue. licorice, toasty oak, and subtle mocha notes. Dark fruits like blackberry and plum are noticeable, but it's more restrained than overtly fruity.
full-bodied, with sultry dark fruits (black cherry, plum), dark chocolate, licorice, and spice. Can’t wait for at least another 5 years before I try this again. Didn’t feel too you but feels like it will be better with age. — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Caymus Special Selection is the flagship Cabernet, crafted only in exceptional years. The 2018 vintage stands tall among recent releases, showing why Chuck Wagner’s vision continues to shape Napa’s most recognized “luxury Cab.” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor vineyards, it strikes the perfect balance between Caymus’ signature ripe, fruit-forward style and an added layer of structure from a long, balanced growing season.

Aromas & Flavors
A powerful bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with cocoa nibs, espresso, and baking spices. Subtle hints of licorice, cedar, and vanilla lift the complexity, while a core of lush fruit drives the palate. The oak integration is seamless, giving a supple sweetness without overwhelming the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Rich, opulent, and velvety—yet with surprising finesse. The tannins are silky and well-structured, giving length without heaviness. The finish lingers on black fruit and mocha, balanced by just enough acidity to keep it vibrant.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous fruit selection, long maceration for concentration, and extended aging in new French oak (18+ months). The Wagner hallmark: generous fruit expression wrapped in polished oak for immediate pleasure but with aging potential.

Food Pairing
An indulgent pairing with ribeye, prime rib, or braised short ribs. For a decadent twist, try it with dark chocolate truffles or roasted lamb with rosemary.

Verdict
One of the most impressive Caymus Special Selection vintages in recent memory—showing both lush Napa Valley opulence and refined elegance. A wine that thrills now but promises to shine for years.

Personal Pick Highlight
This 2018 stands as my favorite Caymus of the modern decade—a true benchmark that captures everything people love about Napa Cabernet at its richest and most expressive. Cheers!
— 10 months ago