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Caymus: Behind One of America’s Most Popular Wines

Caymus Vineyards has long been an icon of Napa. It ranked #1 in the 2016 Wine & Spirits Restaurant Top 50, which polls America’s top restaurants for their best selling wines. More recently, Caymus was revealed as one of the most searched-for Cabernet Sauvignons on WineSearcher.com.

What’s behind the popularity of Caymus? The Wine Daily decided to take a closer look (and a trip to Napa) to find out.

After tasting through the Caymus Vineyards portfolio, our hypothesis for their popularity comes down to three things: approachability, distinctive style, and a superior vineyard experience that elevates the brand.

Approachability

caymus 2014
One of the most appealing things about Caymus is that it is ready to drink now. Many young Cabernet Sauvignon wines can taste harsh and overly tannic. However, the Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon’s ripe dark fruit and smooth tannins make it approachable right off the shelf. Of course, cellaring the wine will yield earthier and mellower aromatics. But those looking for a plush, aromatic wine will be happy with the Cabernet Sauvignon as it is now.

Distinctive Style

caymus reserve

Caymus produces three main wines: a Napa Valley Cabernet ($72), a Special Selection Cabernet ($180) and a Zinfandel ($38). The 2014 Special Selection was our favorite. It has rounder, more elegant tannins and more finessed, subtle aromatics than the Napa Valley Cabernet. In the photo above, you can see the deep violet color of its tannins.

The 2014 vintage underscores the near-perfect Napa growing conditions. A mild summer without excessive heat let the grapes reach peak maturity and aromatics. But regardless of vintage, Caymus wines remain consistent in quality and profile across vintages. Their style is unmistakeable: rich dark fruit and ripe, supple tannins, layered with warm notes of cocoa and vanilla.

Vineyard Experience

vineyard

True to its mantra around the importance of family, Caymus Vineyards offers an experience that is perfect for groups. In the lovely gardens, group tastings are set in shaded cabanas with cushioned wicker lounge sofas. The staff is friendly, attentive, and serves the perfect amount of pour that is generous enough to let you truly savor a wine, without being excessive.

The tasting appeals to multiple palates by offering a mix of both whites and reds from across the Wagner portfolio. These include the Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Emmolo Merlot, and Caymus Zinfandel and Chardonnay. End-to-end, it’s hard not to leave without a greater appreciation for the brand.

It’s no surprise that Caymus has reached iconic wine status across the U.S. Its singular approachability, expressiveness, and richness of wines stands apart from other styles produced in the Napa area. Combined with a luxurious vineyard experience, Caymus goes on our Napa top list at The Wine Daily.

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