Caymus Vineyards 50th Anniversary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Full-bodied red wine made in a rich, supple, and accessible style. · Caymus Vineyards, founded by the Wagner family. It is a family-owned estate operating in Napa Valley and holds a legendary status as a cult producer that popularized bold, fruit-forward Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon globally.
Vintage: 2022, characterized by a warm and relatively dry growing season with some late-season heat spikes, resulting in deeply concentrated and plush fruit flavors.
Type
Full-bodied red wine made in a rich, supple, and accessible style.
Producer
Caymus Vineyards, founded by the Wagner family. It is a family-owned estate operating in Napa Valley and holds a legendary status as a cult producer that popularized bold, fruit-forward Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon globally.
Country
United States, representing the New World, known for innovative winemaking, rigorous labeling laws based on AVA systems, and a warm climate producing powerful, fruit-driven wines.
Vintage
2022, characterized by a warm and relatively dry growing season with some late-season heat spikes, resulting in deeply concentrated and plush fruit flavors.
Region & Appellation
Napa Valley, California, USA
Grape Varieties
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, selected from multiple sub-AVAs across Napa Valley to achieve a signature complex and opulent expression.
Color & Appearance
Deep, opaque ruby-purple core with a youthful bright magenta rim, exhibiting high viscosity and slow-moving, staining legs.
Aroma Profile
Intense aromas of ripe cassis, black cherry, and dark plum, complemented by secondary notes of vanilla, cocoa, sweet tobacco, and a hint of baking spice.
Tasting Notes
An opulent initial palate attack that opens into a lush, layered mid-palate of ripe dark berries and velvety chocolate. The finish is long, smooth, and warming, leaving lingering impressions of sweet oak and ripe fruit.
Flavor Profile
Dominated by blackberry preserves, black cherry liqueur, and cassis, layered with secondary nuances of vanilla bean, mocha, espresso, and subtle sweet tobacco.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a plush, velvety, and exceptionally smooth mouthfeel, offering a dense, round texture with very low astringency.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-low acidity providing a smooth, approachable frame, paired with very fine-grained, fully-polymerized tannins that feel silky and soft.
Sweetness Level
Dry, though the exceptionally ripe fruit profile and high extract can impart a perception of natural sweetness or roundness on the palate.
Alcohol Content
14.6% ABV, providing a generous warming sensation that amplifies the wine's rich body and fruit concentration.
Aging & Oak
Aged extensively in French oak barrels, predominantly new, imparting pronounced notes of vanilla, toast, and sweet spice.
Food Pairings
Ideal with prime rib, grilled ribeye steak, roasted rack of lamb, or rich braised short ribs. Excellent with aged hard cheeses like aged gouda or white cheddar.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 60-65°F in a large Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 1 to 2 hours is recommended to help open up the opulent aromas and soften the rich profile.
Price Range
Estimated retail price range of $90 to $120 USD.
Quality Assessment
Scored consistently around 90-93 points by major critics, representing a super-premium benchmark for lush, accessible Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with extended maceration, and aged in French oak barrels before bottling.
Terroir
A multi-vineyard blend sourced across the diverse microclimates of Napa Valley, combining valley floor richness with hillside structure.
History & Heritage
Founded in 1972 by Charlie and Lorna Wagner along with their son Chuck, Caymus helped establish Napa Valley's global reputation for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating its 50th anniversary with the 2022 vintage.
Interesting Facts
The special 50th Anniversary label prominently features a historic photograph of the Wagner family spanning multiple generations who have contributed to the estate's legacy.
Cellaring Potential
Approachable upon release for its vibrant fruit, but can be aged gracefully through 2032 to 2038 to develop more tertiary leather and cedar complexity.
Similar Wines
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis.