Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 1991

Caymus Special Selection 1991 (Magnum) – Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

From one of the great early vintages of Caymus, the 1991 Special Selection in magnum format is a revelation. The bouquet is expansive and beautifully defined, offering layers of blackcurrant, ripe plum, graphite, cedar, and dark chocolate, interlaced with hints of tobacco leaf and dried violets. The palate is seamless and complete—opulent yet finely balanced—with generous dark fruit framed by silky tannins and a vibrant core of acidity that keeps the wine fresh and alive. The magnum bottling has preserved remarkable energy, giving the wine both depth and lift.

The finish is long, harmonious, and resonant, echoing cassis, spice, and subtle earth tones. At more than three decades of age, this is a benchmark showing of Caymus at its best: polished, powerful, and effortlessly graceful. 97 points.

This wine shows a reddish hue with mahogany reflections, indicating graceful maturity. The bouquet is complex and aromatic, marked by violets, toasted oak and roasted coffee. The palate is a rich medium-bodied, round and smooth, offering ripe, slightly jammy blackcurrant fruit balanced by savoury, roasted nuances and a long, polished finish. – JL 96p (Aug 2025)

Food pairing:

A natural match for grilled ribeye, beef Wellington, roasted lamb, or rich game dishes.

Bright medium red, showing remarkably little amber at the rim. Mellow nose offers aromas of raspberry, mocha, brown spices and sandalwood. Spicy and reasonably sweet, but with a slight acid edge giving shape to its red berry, spice and cocoa flavors; neither black in its flavor profile nor particularly ripe or thick. In fact, this distinctly juicy wine shows a texture more like Pinot Noir than Cabernet Sauvignon. Finishes with unusual rose petal lift and a firm spine of tooth-dusting tannins. I'm not sure I could have picked this blind as a mature Napa Valley Cabernet; perhaps the exotic American oak spiciness is partly responsible. There's nothing weighty or especially opulent about this alluring, distinctive wine: I pretended it was Burgundy and enjoyed the hell out of it. (13% alcohol)