The late Charles F. Wagner was one of the now legendary generation which established the new wave of Napa wineries in the 1970’s (along with Warren Winiarski and Joe Phelps). He founded Caymus on his family property with his wife, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner and their son, Charles J. (Chuck). The name was taken from from the Mexican land grand known as Rancho Caymus. They produced their first Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1972 vintage. They have experimented with many varietals but now focus entirely on Cabernet Sauvignon.The winery's 60 plus acres of estate Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in the Napa Valley's Rutherford District still form the foundation of their wines, but now Charlie’s son, Chuck directs all the viticultural, winemaking and business operations; his own sons Charlie (see Mer Soleil) and Joseph (see Belle Glos) are also very much involved. The 2003 Napa Cabernet comes from several vineyard sites in the Napa Valley: valley floor, slopes, and mountain. It includes fruit from eleven vineyards including Rutherford, Calistoga, Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder. The blend also includes a small amount of Merlot from the Carneros area of Napa. The wine itself is deep ruby coloured with immediate aromas of dark berries and spicy plum and richness and complexity in the mouth, combining the fresh character of its youth with a mature balance of texture and flavours.