A 1980 Caymus Cabernet Still Holds Its Own
Listen up: Two birthdays, one tradition—pairing a wine from the birth year. This year, my wife and I uncorked a 1980 Caymus Cabernet, a bottle that’s lived through decades of change. Randy Dunn’s era, when Caymus first carved its name into Napa’s history, is now a relic. Yet here it was, still sharp, still alive. At 13% alcohol, it felt like a time capsule—tight, reserved, and ready to reveal itself. The nose was a paradox: cherries and pomegranate danced with old-wine notes, black tea, and a whisper of forest floor. It took over an hour to open up, a testament…
