2017 Caymus 1858 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

Caymus Vineyards' roots trace back to the Wagner family, who left San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake to farm in Rutherford, Napa Valley. By 1915 they were producing bulk wines and during the 1940s they were known for their excellent grapes and home made wines. The commercial winery was founded in 1972 when the family decided to produce wine as a business. By the late 1980s Caymus wines were winning prestigious awards. Today the winery is run by Chuck Wagner, who was born and raised on the estate, and the wines are considered some of the valley’s finest. The estate includes more than 60 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. Caymus produces about 70,000 cases a year.

Paso Robles AVA is midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and it is considered one of the West Coast’s most exciting winemaking regions. With its hot, sometimes searingly dry and sunny weather, it is especially good country for growing warm climate grapes such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Because many Paso Robles wineries have been successful with blending these grapes into Rhone Valley-style wines, it is known as the Rhone zone of California. The AVA was created in 1983 and there are 32,000 vineyard acres. In late 2014 the AVA was divided into 11 smaller sub-appellations, so starting with 2015 vintages labeling will become more specific on Paso Robles wines, which will now also list sub-appellations. Located in San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles, the town and its surrounding area, was traditionally a farming and ranching region. But from a few dozen wineries in the early 1990s to more than 200 today, the area is quickly becoming known for wine and risk-taking winemakers.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.