Caymus Vineyards hosted the Napa Branch for a fantastic tasting event on Saturday, May 15.

Caymus Vineyards, the producer of the highly acclaimed Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, was founded in 1972 by Charlie Wagner, Loma Belle Glos Wagner and their son Chuck Wagner who today directs all viticulture and wine making operations at Caymus.  The name Caymus came from the Mexican Land Grant known as Rancho Caymus which eventually became the town of Rutherford.  Caymus estate is 60-plus acres of Cabernet in Rutherford and is the foundation of Caymus Cabernets.

In 1989, the 1984 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet was named Wine Spectator Magazine’s Wine of the Year and in 1994, the 1990 Special Selection was also named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year—the only wine that has ever been named wine of the year twice!

Members were treated to tastes of the Wagner family’s 2008 Mer Soliel Chardonnay, 2008 Belle Glos Taylor Vineyard Pinot Noir followed by a viewing of a film about history and winemaking at Caymus and a tour of the winery.  We then proceeded to taste the 1991, 2005 and 2007 (just rated 96 by Wine Spectator) vintages of the Special Selection Cabernets which were all deemed outstanding by members.  The event concluded with a barrel tasting of the 2009 Cabernet and the 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet.

A truly great and unique tasting—the first time Caymus has done so for a large group—that was one of our best ever tasting events.