Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1.5L 2020
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2020 arrives in a 1.5L magnum — twice the wine, and the format serious collectors prefer for aging — at 14.5% ABV (retailer-stated). It's the Napa Valley bottling (alongside the venerable Special Selection) from Caymus Vineyards, the Wagner family estate founded in 1972 in Rutherford and still family-owned and operated. The 2020 vintage was Napa's fire year — the LNU Lightning Complex and Glass fires led many producers to skip reds entirely — but Caymus released its Napa Cabernet, and Wine Spectator scored it 91 points: "A crowd-pleaser, with boysenberry and acai berry fruit flavors streaming through, while a silky but persistent structure carries this through the chocolate-framed finish." Order online at Del Mesa Liquor for San Diego delivery or pickup.
- ABV: 14.5% (retailer-stated)
- Size: 1.5L magnum
- Vintage: 2020 — Napa's fire vintage; Caymus released its Napa Cab where many skipped
- Region: Napa Valley, California (valley-floor and hillside fruit, Coombsville to Calistoga)
- Scores: 91 points, Wine Spectator; signature "hang time" style
The 2020 That Almost Wasn't
Napa's 2020 reds carry an asterisk in every cellar book — smoke-taint fears after the August and September fires led much of the valley to sit the vintage out. Caymus bet on its sourcing and its craft instead, and the 91-point result vindicated the call. The house style is unmistakable: grapes farmed from Coombsville to Calistoga, valley-floor fruit for lushness and hillside fruit for backbone, left to "hang" on the vine unusually long — a technique that risks the crop to early winter but develops suppleness, deep color, and mature tannins. The signature profile follows: cocoa, cassis, and vanilla over ripe berries, with abundant textural tannins "soft as velvet." A magnum of it, from Caymus Vineyards, is a dinner-party weapon. More Napa cabs in our cabernet sauvignon collection.
Tasting Notes
Boysenberry and acai berry fruit stream through a silky but persistent structure, carried through a chocolate-framed finish with a subtle savory echo at the very end (Wine Spectator). Expect the classic Caymus array — cocoa, cassis, vanilla, ripe blackberry, black cherry, currants, cinnamon, and rich vanilla oak — with fine, soft tannins and a long, caressing finish.
How to Enjoy
Decant 60–90 minutes — a magnum of young Caymus rewards air — and serve at 60–65°F with prime rib, lamb chops, or a chocolate torte. The magnum format ages more gracefully than 750s, so buy two: one for now, one for the cellar. More age-worthy reds in our red wine collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 2020 Caymus notable?
2020 was Napa's fire vintage — the LNU Lightning Complex (August) and Glass Fire (September) led many producers to skip reds. Caymus released its Napa Valley Cabernet anyway, earning 91 points from Wine Spectator.
What is Caymus's "hang time" technique?
Leaving fruit on the vine unusually long — risking crop loss to early winter — to develop suppleness, increase color, and mature the tannins.
Why buy the 1.5L magnum?
Magnums age more slowly and gracefully than 750mL bottles, and a magnum makes a statement at the table — the format collectors prefer for cellaring.
When only a magnum of Napa cabernet will do, order the 2020 Caymus online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.