Caymus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary 2022

Caymus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary 2022 is a 750ml, 14.6% ABV Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon marking five decades of Caymus Vineyards. This commemorative 2022 vintage earned 91 points from Wine Spectator, which praised its "creamy, forward style" and recommended drinking now through 2034.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.6%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2022 (50th Anniversary)  |  Winery: Caymus Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Caymus Vineyards was founded in 1972 in the Rutherford District of Napa Valley and draws from over 60 acres of estate Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The 2022 vintage is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in small, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before aging in French oak barrels. Caymus is known for its signature "hang time" technique — leaving fruit on the vine unusually long to develop deeper color, supple texture, and mature tannins. This approach, combined with low crop yields and minimal irrigation, produces grapes harvested at peak ripeness that define the winery's house style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: An inviting bouquet opens with dark berries, cassis, and ripe plum. Deeper layers reveal cocoa, tobacco leaf, and vanilla imparted by French oak aging.

Taste: Full-bodied and opulent on entry, with luscious black cherry and boysenberry preserves rolling across the mid-palate. Milk chocolate, coconut, and red licorice notes emerge as the wine opens up, framed by silky, non-bitter tannins and well-integrated acidity that keeps the richness in check. Wine Spectator's review highlighted warmed raspberry, mocha, and melted licorice at the core.

Finish: Long and satisfying, with lingering nuances of dark chocolate, espresso, and cedar. The velvety texture carries through to the very end, leaving a fulsome, balanced impression.

How to Drink Caymus 50th Anniversary

This wine shows best at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to let its layered aromatics fully develop. It drinks beautifully on its own and requires no embellishment. For wine-based cocktails, its bold fruit profile works in a Cabernet Sangria with dark stone fruits and cinnamon for a seasonal punch; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) where its inherent sweetness and chocolate tones complement the mixer; or a New York Sour, where the wine float adds dramatic color and berry depth over a whiskey sour base.

Best For

• Celebrating a milestone anniversary or significant personal achievement
• Gifting a Napa Valley wine collector — the 50th Anniversary label carries special significance
• Pairing with a prime steak dinner or holiday roast
• Building a vertical collection of Caymus vintages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Caymus 50th Anniversary taste like? It delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by ripe black cherry, boysenberry, and blackcurrant, layered with milk chocolate, mocha, and vanilla from French oak aging. Silky tannins and balanced acidity give it a velvety, opulent mouthfeel that finishes with dark chocolate and espresso.

How does Caymus 50th Anniversary compare to Caymus Special Selection? The Napa Valley bottling is the winery's more accessible expression, while Special Selection is the flagship produced exclusively from top barrel selections and typically commands a significantly higher price. Both share Caymus's signature ripe, full-bodied character, but Special Selection generally offers greater concentration and longer aging potential.

Is Caymus 50th Anniversary good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this wine was made for drinking on its own or alongside food, with its creamy texture and balanced tannins requiring no modification. Wine Spectator described it as built for "near-term hedonism," suggesting it is ready to enjoy now.

Where is Caymus 50th Anniversary made? Caymus Vineyards is located in the Rutherford District of Napa Valley, California, drawing from over 60 acres of estate Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The winery has operated from this renowned sub-appellation since its founding in 1972.

What foods pair well with Caymus 50th Anniversary? Grilled ribeye steak complements its bold fruit and oak tones; braised short ribs mirror its richness and velvety texture; aged cheddar or Gruyère echo its cocoa and vanilla notes; dark chocolate desserts amplify the espresso and chocolate finish; and herb-crusted lamb chops align with its subtle cedar and tobacco nuances.

What sizes does Caymus 50th Anniversary come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, and Caymus also produces select vintages in 1L and 1.5L (magnum) formats depending on availability.

Is Caymus 50th Anniversary worth the price? Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet positions in the premium tier of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, sitting well below ultra-premium cult wines but above everyday drinking options. Its 91-point Wine Spectator score, consistent house style, and the collectible 50th Anniversary designation support strong value within its category.

Why Caymus 50th Anniversary?

The 2022 vintage represents a half-century of unbroken production from one of Rutherford's most recognized Cabernet producers. Caymus's extended hang-time viticultural approach — leaving fruit on the vine longer than most Napa peers — yields the dense color, ripe tannin structure, and concentrated dark fruit that have become the winery's calling card. A 91-point rating from Wine Spectator validates this vintage as a strong representative of the style, with a drinking window extending through 2034. For collectors and enthusiasts, the 50th Anniversary label marks a once-in-a-lifetime milestone from an estate that helped define modern Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.