Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

On the nose, warm, leaner, stewed fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, spiced plum, poached strawberries, black raspberries, cherries, black licorice anise, spice-box, cigar, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, rich dark loamy soils & fresh/dry dark florals. The palate is lean, well resolved tannins, heated, darker spice-box, blackberries, dark cherries, spiced plum, poached strawberries, black raspberries, cherries, black licorice anise, cola, spice-box, cigar, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, rich dark loamy soils & fresh/dry dark florals. Acidity pours over the palate. The finish is smooth, lean, pure elegant fruit with spice. It's lasts over a minute. The 94 is just starting to trend down but still the best vintage of Caymus Special Select I can remember. So if you own, time to enjoy it over the next two years. Enjoyed this at a private dinner/tasting at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay a number of years ago with Chuck and his son Joseph who makes the Bella Clos. Brings me right back to the fire pit closing out the night with this wine & the great group of clients we entertained. First time tasting this vintage with my wife Sofia. Photos of; the Special Select vineyard, estate grounds, beautiful Caymus fruit and the legendary Chuck Wagner-Owner & Winemaker. Another recent pristine bottle from my friend Alex @ "No Limit Wines."

Greg Gregory

Beautiful. Everything you want in a great cab. Richness, depth, round, energy. Really a great wine.

Richard Brierley

Head of Fine Wines Vanquish London

One day late 4th July steak and wine lunch.

Bob McDonald

Mature Cabernet aromas of Cedar savoury Blackberry and Pipe Tobacco. Medium plus intensity on a medium bodied palate. All parts of this wine in harmony and drinking at its peak. Final bottle from my cellar - an excellent effort.

LM Segal

Loads of controversy over recent vintages of SS here on #delectableapp but none at all for me on this '94 beauty, perfectly stored for 20 years but acting like a baby. Aromas of liquorice and leather from the brick free, almost black pour. Velvety and large, but dancing across the palate, like Ali, but without the sting and all the butterfly. Charcoal, smoke. Dark chocolate and a sweet, sweet core. I'd bet big $$ this could go 20+ years, nowhere near its peak. Awesome.

Jason Jones

Second bottle of this I've had, not quite as good as previous but still delicious. 13.9% alcohol. After having these old Caymus bottles one has to wonder if the new stuff will ever reach these heights.

Mark Howard

Balance & elegance shine through the entire experience. Full Cabernet flavor spectrum- red & black berries, leather, tobacco with a spicy finish. Tannins in balance with fruit. Much more elegant than my memory of this wine as a youngster. Bravo! Yes, we miss the wine making skills of Chuck.

Paul Woolls

Still singing after 20 years. Color surprisingly deep and vibrant.

Bob McDonald

If you love top shelf Cabernet, as I do, this is stunning. Absolutely gorgeous nose, a brilliant palate. Layers of currant, and plummy cedary notes. One of the 1001 wines. Will go to 2020. 18.5.

John Van Trijp

97/100