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Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon

Caymus Vineyards was founded in 1972 on the family's property in the Rutherford area. Their first special selection from the 1975 vintage was an outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon that was given lots of extended barrel aging. Caymus Vineyards have made Cabernet Sauvignon every year since its founding, and the production has remained at the same level since 1989

Caymus Vineyards was founded in 1972 on the family's property in the Rutherford area. Their first special selection from the 1975 vintage was an outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon that was given lots of extended barrel aging. Caymus Vineyards have made Cabernet Sauvignon every year since its founding, and the production has remained at the same level since 1989.

The town of Rutherford, where Caymus Vineyards is located, used to be part of the Mexican land-grant known as Rancho Caymus, which was given to George Yount in 1836. There were also a group of Indians called came us, whose village was north of the town of Yountville.

Caymus Vineyards has over 60 acres of estate Cabernet Sauvignon in the Napa Valley's Rutherford district, and it continues to be the foundation of Cabernet. The Wagner's, the owners of Caymus Vineyards, also farm several other Vineyards in the Napa Valley with the Vineyards, ranging in location from the valley floor to the mountain slopes. Caymus also purchases grapes from other Napa Valley growers.

In addition to the Special Selection Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, the Caymus wineries alsoproduces Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Zinfandel and Napa Valley. The winemaker/owner, Chuck Wagner, is in charge of all the viticulture and winemaking at Caymus. Wine tastings are by appointment only, and they can only accommodate 10 guests at a time.

The Cabernet vineyards that supply grapes for Caymus come from old vines that were originally planted in 1960.  In 1975 Caymus introduced their Special Selection, a Cabernet Sauvignon that is made from the best of the fruit from the vineyards and in addition is given  aging in the barrel.  In 1989 the 1984   Caymus  Special Selection  Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was named wine of the year by wine spectator magazine, and again in 1994 for their 1990 vintage. This made Caymus Special Selection Cabernet the only wine to be selected twice for this honor, and they still hold that distinction today.  The Caymus winery does not produce a Special Selection every year, it is only made in vintages that Chuck Wagner feels will make the grade.

In 1997 Caymus is named the best winery for Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet blend in California by wine spectator's readers choice awards. Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon also has earned a spot in wine spectator's top 10 list six times in nine years. In 2001 Charlie and Chuck Wagner are named by wine spectator to its Hall of Fame.

The Rutherford area of the Napa Valley has long been known for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Like most of the Napa Valley, the area has the right growing conditions necessary to produce a superior crop of Cabernet. 

The goal of winemaking for Caymus winery is to produce a  wine that is delicious when bottled but one that also get better with age. Since Caymus Vineyards has more than one Cabernet  Vineyards to choose its grapes from, Chuck Wagner is able to add complexity and layering of flavors to his wines by choosing fruit sources from several sites. The Vineyards are managed during the growing season by multiple thinnings to help produce concentrated wines with a dark color, fabulous flavor and wonderful texture.  Caymus also does not have to rely solely on its own Vineyards for fruit to produce wines, as they have long-standing relationships with other Napa Valley growers.  The result of being able to blend Cabernets from several vineyards is a blending of flavors that makes Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon a special wine.

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