Caymus Suisun Grand Durif 2017

Caymus Suisun Grand Durif 2017 is a bold, full-bodied 750ml red wine produced from 100% Durif grapes grown in California's Suisun Valley. Scored 93 points by Wine Spectator — reportedly higher than any Caymus-Suisun release before it — this inky, dark-hued Petite Sirah represents the Wagner family's venture beyond Napa into one of California's most underrated appellations.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Durif (Petite Sirah)  |  Origin: Suisun Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Winery: Caymus Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Caymus Vineyards was founded in 1972 by Chuck Wagner and his parents in Rutherford, in the heart of Napa Valley. For this Grand Durif project, the Wagner family began an in-depth search of Suisun Valley in early 2014, scouting top-quality Durif vineyards tucked into the hidden corners of this small, picturesque region roughly 40 minutes southeast of Napa. Vineyard management includes deliberate crop thinning and careful canopy control to allow measured sunlight into the fruit zone, pushing the grapes toward increased ripeness. The family added "Grand" to the label because they felt the wine's outsized, concentrated style earned the distinction — and they pledged that any wine bearing the Caymus name would have to meet an exceptional standard or it would never be bottled.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep blueberry and ripe boysenberry dominate the nose, followed by earthy undertones and subtle herbal notes. As the wine opens, layers of tobacco leaf, licorice stick, and a whisper of Cubeb pepper emerge with fine freshness.

Taste: The entry is immediately lush and fruit-forward, with black cherry and ripe cassis flooding the mid-palate. Baking spices and toasted herbs build through the center, balanced by supple, textural tannins that give the wine its rich, almost velvety mouthfeel. At the peak, prune-like depth and dark fruit concentration converge without turning heavy.

Finish: Long and satisfying, with vanilla from oak aging lingering alongside residual dark berry fruit. The tannins remain smooth through the fade, leaving a warm, spice-dusted close.

How to Drink Grand Durif

Serve at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and consider decanting for 30 to 45 minutes to let the dense fruit and tannin structure fully unfurl; this is a wine built for the glass, not the shaker. A Braised Short Rib pairing alongside the wine neat is the most natural match. For red wine cocktails, the Grand Durif's intensity works in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) where its darkness holds up against carbonation, a New York Sour where its boysenberry depth floats beautifully over whiskey sour, and a Sangria Negra built with dark fruits and brandy that complement rather than mask the wine's bold profile.

Best For

• Gifting a Caymus fan who wants something beyond Cabernet Sauvignon
• Anchoring a winter dinner party centered on braised or smoked meats
• Cellaring for collectors exploring California Petite Sirah with proven critical acclaim
• Introducing Suisun Valley wines to friends who only know Napa and Sonoma

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grand Durif taste like? This is a big, dark, juicy Petite Sirah dominated by boysenberry and black cherry fruit, layered with tobacco, baking spices, and toasted herbs. Lush tannins give it a rich, supple texture from start to finish.

How does Grand Durif compare to Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? Both wines share the Wagner family's preference for ripe, generous fruit and approachable tannins, but the Grand Durif trades Cabernet's cassis-driven structure for the deeper, inkier intensity of 100% Durif (Petite Sirah). The Grand Durif is sourced from Suisun Valley rather than Napa, and Wine Spectator scored this 2017 vintage at 93 points — reportedly higher than any Caymus Cabernet since 1994.

Is Grand Durif good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its full body, ripe fruit, and smooth tannins make it an ideal wine to enjoy on its own, especially with a short decant to let its layers develop.

Where is Grand Durif made? The grapes are grown in Suisun Valley, a small appellation in Solano County, California, about 40 minutes southeast of Napa Valley. It is produced by Caymus Vineyards, the winery founded by the Wagner family in Rutherford, Napa Valley, in 1972.

What foods pair well with Grand Durif? Braised short ribs complement the wine's dark fruit and spice. Smoked brisket mirrors its earthy, tobacco-laced depth. Aged cheddar or Gruyère balances the tannins with fat. Dark chocolate desserts echo the boysenberry and prune notes. Lamb shanks with rosemary bridge the herbal undertones in the wine.

What sizes does Grand Durif come in? Caymus Suisun Grand Durif 2017 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Grand Durif worth the price? It positions as a premium California red, priced above most Petite Sirahs but justified by its 93-point Wine Spectator score, the Caymus pedigree, and its concentrated, cellar-worthy character — strong value within the Wagner portfolio.

Why Grand Durif?

The 93-point Wine Spectator score is the headline, but the real story is the Wagner family's multi-year search for Durif vineyards that could carry the Caymus name — a name synonymous with Napa Cabernet for over five decades. Suisun Valley's warm days and cool marine-influenced nights produce Durif grapes with the concentration and ripeness this wine demands. The result is a Petite Sirah that stands apart from the category: inky, layered, and generous, yet structured enough to age. For drinkers who already know Caymus through its Cabernet, the Grand Durif reveals a different dimension of the family's winemaking philosophy — bigger, darker, and unapologetically bold.