Benchmark Wine Cellar
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 2012 1.5L
The Winery
Caymus Vineyards
The Wagners produced their first vintage in 1972, consisting of 240 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, Caymus has focused their efforts in the production of quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Today’s production is 65,000 cases.
Caymus Vineyards remains 100% family-owned by the Wagners. Charlie, Lorna Belle, and Chuck worked together as a remarkable team for over 30 years building Caymus Cabernet. Today, Chuck, his two sons, Charlie and Joe, and one daughter, Jenny, have joined the family team. Farming grapes remain the priority with the family farming about 350 acres of choice Napa Valley land.
The Wagners took the name Caymus from the Mexican land grant known as Rancho Caymus, given to George Yount in 1836, which encompassed what eventually became the town of Rutherford and much of the surrounding area.
“Caymus has one of the most enviable track records of any California winery. Having followed their Cabernet Sauvignons since the early seventies, I find it remarkable that this winery has never gone through a slump. Not many wineries, anywhere in the world, can match the Wagner family's consistent record of success.
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Summary
The Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 2012, crafted by the Wagner family, showcases the rich heritage of Napa Valley’s viticulture. This full-bodied red wine is produced from carefully selected grapes and aged in new oak, highlighting its opulent character. The wine exhibits a dense color and offers a luscious profile dominated by dark berry fruits, sweet oak, and hints of mocha and licorice. With a plush texture and well-integrated tannins, it presents a harmonious balance of richness and structure. This vintage marks a significant milestone for Caymus, celebrating its 40th anniversary, and is recognized for its potential to age beautifully while also being enjoyable now. The blend is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tasting Notes
- WA96
- The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection has a dense blackish/purple color and creamy, sweet crème de cassis fruit, blackberries, a touch of graphite and vanilla, This exuberant, boisterous, in-your-face style of Cabernet Sauvignon is clearly a fruit bomb, so be warned. Full-bodied and opulent with stunning concentration and richness, the wine has no hard edges and is much in the Caymus style of terrific fruit intensity (most of it black and blue), voluptuous texture, and a stunning finish with plenty of glycerin, wood and spice. The alcohol on the label is listed at 14.8%, which seems about accurate. I have Caymus Special Selection in my cellar back to some of the historic wines made by Chuck Wagner’s father in the early 1970s, and while the style’s gotten more precocious and consumer-friendly, these wines, even the more latter-day styles, have a tendency to age beautifully. This can be drunk now, or cellared for 20+ years.
- WS94
- Exhibits a delicious, up-front core of juicy dark berry, blackberry, black licorice and creamy, toasty, vanilla-scented oak. Appropriately tannic and structured, this is made in a style you can drink now or cellar for up to a decade.
Rare Wines, Serious Collectors
As the #1 back-vintage retailer in the US, Benchmark Wine Group prides itself on being a trusted source for the greatest wines in the world. Their unparalleled market knowledge and exceptional service have come together to provide the most accessible cellar of rare and sought-after wines with a guarantee.
Provenance Guarantee
Benchmark Wine Group
445 Devlin RoadNapa, CA 94558
Phone: 707.255.3500
Fax: 707.255.3503
SMS: 707.200.4049
Questions?
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Shipping Questions?
[email protected]
Terms & Conditions
Your Privacy Rights
Accessibility
Copyright © 2025 Benchmark Wine Group