1988 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection

The Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, which spends significant time in oak, can be one of California's most riveting wines. First made in 1975, there have been some exceptionally concentrated, powerful wines that are still young and evolving (i.e, the 1978, 1976, and 1975). The decade of the eighties produced less profound Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignons, with the exception of the 1984 and 1985. Since then, the wine has moved to less of a blockbuster style, with the emphasis on more elegance, without sacrificing the wine's richness and intensity. I have not tasted the 1989 Special Selection, but both the 1988 and 1987 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignons are noticeably lighter and less intense than previous vintages. The 1988 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a dark color, plenty of oak in the nose, medium body, very good concentration, and a short, soft finish. I would drink the 1988 over the next 7-8 years. Few wineries in the world can boast such an enviable record of consistent excellence as that of Caymus. There is no doubting that Cabernet Sauvignon is King at Caymus. For nearly twenty years this winery has excelled at producing boldly-flavored, ripe, concentrated regular bottlings and lavishly-oaked, big, spicy, luxury-priced Special Selection offerings. The regular bottling went through a shaky period with the so-so years of 1988 and 1989, but based on barrel samples of the 1992 and 1991, Caymus has two winners for this reasonably-priced, rich, oaky, cassis-scented, medium to full-bodied, supple-textured wine.