- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
REVIEWS
WINEMAKER NOTES
The 2023 Caymus California Cabernet Sauvignon is a confident, generously styled expression that captures the essence of what has made Caymus a benchmark for rich, table-driven Cabernet. From the first pour, it delivers a deep, opaque ruby-purple color followed by an immediately expressive bouquet of ripe black cherry, cassis, blackberry compote, and dark plum, layered with notes of cocoa powder, vanilla bean, sweet baking spice, and a subtle hint of mocha. This is unmistakably Caymus in character, polished, seductive, and built to please without sacrificing depth.
Sourced from carefully selected vineyards across California, this wine reflects a thoughtful exploration of the state’s most promising Cabernet-growing sites beyond traditional boundaries. The focus is on places where Cabernet is forced to struggle, with stony soils, south-facing slopes, and climates that balance warmth with cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean. These conditions naturally produce smaller berries with thicker skins, translating into deeper color, richer concentration, and more supple yet luxurious tannins. It is a philosophy rooted in generations of experience, guided by the belief that great Cabernet is born from adversity in the vineyard.
On the palate, the 2023 vintage is full-bodied, richly textured, and remarkably smooth, with layers of ripe black fruit unfolding seamlessly across the mid-palate. Flavors of blackberry pie, black currant, and dark chocolate are complemented by notes of espresso, toasted oak, and sweet spice. The tannins are round and velvety, offering immediate approachability while providing enough structure to carry the wine gracefully through the finish. There is a sense of generosity here, yet it remains balanced, with freshness and energy keeping the richness in check.
This Cabernet is crafted with the table firmly in mind, excelling alongside classic fare such as grilled steak, prime rib, and hearty red meat dishes. Its plush texture and ripe profile make it especially appealing to those who appreciate a luxurious, crowd-pleasing style that delivers consistency and pleasure year after year. While approachable now, it also has the depth to evolve over the near term, rewarding patience with added nuance and complexity.
The Caymus 2023 California Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a compelling expression of California’s diverse vineyard potential, uniting multiple regions into a cohesive, high-impact wine. It is a bold, supple, and satisfying Cabernet that proudly carries the Caymus signature, offering immediate gratification and undeniable appeal for both longtime fans and new admirers alike.
Alcohol: 14.5%
Sourced from carefully selected vineyards across California, this wine reflects a thoughtful exploration of the state’s most promising Cabernet-growing sites beyond traditional boundaries. The focus is on places where Cabernet is forced to struggle, with stony soils, south-facing slopes, and climates that balance warmth with cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean. These conditions naturally produce smaller berries with thicker skins, translating into deeper color, richer concentration, and more supple yet luxurious tannins. It is a philosophy rooted in generations of experience, guided by the belief that great Cabernet is born from adversity in the vineyard.
On the palate, the 2023 vintage is full-bodied, richly textured, and remarkably smooth, with layers of ripe black fruit unfolding seamlessly across the mid-palate. Flavors of blackberry pie, black currant, and dark chocolate are complemented by notes of espresso, toasted oak, and sweet spice. The tannins are round and velvety, offering immediate approachability while providing enough structure to carry the wine gracefully through the finish. There is a sense of generosity here, yet it remains balanced, with freshness and energy keeping the richness in check.
This Cabernet is crafted with the table firmly in mind, excelling alongside classic fare such as grilled steak, prime rib, and hearty red meat dishes. Its plush texture and ripe profile make it especially appealing to those who appreciate a luxurious, crowd-pleasing style that delivers consistency and pleasure year after year. While approachable now, it also has the depth to evolve over the near term, rewarding patience with added nuance and complexity.
The Caymus 2023 California Cabernet Sauvignon stands as a compelling expression of California’s diverse vineyard potential, uniting multiple regions into a cohesive, high-impact wine. It is a bold, supple, and satisfying Cabernet that proudly carries the Caymus signature, offering immediate gratification and undeniable appeal for both longtime fans and new admirers alike.
Alcohol: 14.5%
Socially Rated 4+ / 5 ⭐
Cabernet can excel when four key elements are in place – climate, soils, farming and winemaking – even when the grapes are grown in different locations. This reasoning applies to Caymus “California” Cabernet that is sourced mainly from stone-laden vineayrds throughout the state that enjoy ideal maritime influence. I feel this wine captures the Caymus style. - Chuck Wagner