Caymus-Suisun, Grand Durif, Suisun Valley 2017

Caymus Vineyards, the Wagner family winery in Rutherford, makes ripe, fruit-forward Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Vines grow on low-fertility valley-floor and mountain soils, partly dry-farmed and some blocks planted at one metre by one metre, and fruit is picked at an elevated degree of ripeness. The Napa Valley Cabernet is dark and concentrated, with soft, luxurious fruit and enough tannin to age. Special Selection, drawn from the best barrels and made only in better years, spends about 18 months in new French and American oak and shows blackberry, black cherry, cocoa and cedar over fine-grained tannins. Other bottlings are a small Napa Valley Zinfandel and, since 2021, a California Cabernet.

Appellation

Rutherford, Napa Valley

Owner

Wagner family (Chuck Wagner)

Vineyards

About 73 acres in Rutherford plus valley-floor and mountain sites; some dry farming, high-density blocks

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel

Wines

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Zinfandel, California Cabernet Sauvignon

Style

Dark, concentrated Cabernet with ripe, soft, fruit-driven texture

Website

caymus.com

Sources: caymus.com, Wikipedia, millesima-usa.com, blackwellswines.com