Caymus 'Special Selection' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005

Caymus 'Special Selection' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005 is a 750mL Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the Wagner family's flagship reserve bottling, rated 94 by Wine Spectator and 96 by Robert Parker, and available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA. Each year Caymus sets aside only the best barrels of its Napa Valley Cabernet to produce Special Selection — a wine distinguished by extremely fine, velvety tannins, and the only wine in the world honored twice as Wine Spectator's "Wine of the Year" (for its 1984 and 1990 vintages).

• Vintage: 2005, Napa Valley, California
• Size: 750mL
• Critic scores: 94 Wine Spectator · 96 Robert Parker · 93 Vinous
• ABV: ~14.5–15.2% (retailer-reported for this vintage; bottle-unverified)
• Style: Full-bodied Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, flagship reserve bottling
• Producer: Caymus Vineyards, Rutherford — Wagner family, founded 1972

Twenty Years On From a Benchmark Napa Vintage

The 2005 vintage gave Caymus one of its great Special Selections: Parker called it "a big, ripe Napa Cabernet Sauvignon... gorgeous notes of fig, plum, blackberry, cassis... opulent, sexy and fresh, it is indeed a beverage of pleasure," while Wine Spectator found it "firm, intense and well-structured, with a mix of spicy oak, red and black currant, mineral, sage and dusty berry." With two decades in bottle, the tannins have rounded into the velvety texture Special Selection is famous for, and it remains a cornerstone collectible from one of Napa's defining estates. Browse more Napa red wine, explore other fine wine from classic California producers, or see everything from Caymus Vineyards.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Cassis, blackberry, and dark plum with violet lift, iron, and mineral undertones. Palate: Supple and deep — dark berry and dark chocolate framed by fine-grained tannins and integrated acidity; low in acidity, opulent, and fruit-driven. Finish: Long and sturdy, with spicy oak, sage, and dusty berry fading over dark chocolate.

How to Enjoy

Decant for an hour before serving at cellar temperature (60–65°F) — two decades in, this wine rewards the air. Pair with grilled ribeye, roasted lamb, or mature cheeses; if you are cellaring further, store it dark and cool on its side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What scores did the 2005 Caymus Special Selection receive? 96 points from Robert Parker, 94 from Wine Spectator, and 93 from Vinous. Was the 2005 a Wine Spectator Wine of the Year? No — Special Selection's two Wine of the Year honors went to the 1984 and 1990 vintages; the 2005 was not a winner. What is Caymus Special Selection? Each year Caymus reserves the best barrels of its Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for this limited, flagship bottling from the Wagner family estate in Rutherford.

A 2005 Napa benchmark at 96 Parker points won't sit around forever — secure your bottle with an online order at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.