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Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 1981

$19999
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles
This is a rare look at Caymus in its early days: a 1981 Cabernet Sauvignon made less than a decade after Chuck Wagner and his parents opened the winery in Rutherford with just 240 cases. Back then the three of them worked side by side. Chuck and his father Charlie pruned the vines with shears bearing their initials, and they ate lunches Lorna Wagner made for them. Chuck was 19 when his parents asked him to go "all in" on a commercial winery, and the Wagners had already been farming in Napa since the 1850s. Caymus is still 100% family-owned, and the next generation is now taking on the farming and winemaking, so this bottle comes from the start of a story that's still running. If you know the modern Caymus style, an older bottle from these years makes a fascinating comparison. As with any wine of this age, stand it upright for a day before opening and decant it gently.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

View our complete return policy →

Have Questions?

Our team is here to help.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405


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Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Vintage

    1981

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

  • Style

    Rich

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roast prime rib, rack of lamb with rosemary, beef Wellington, wild mushroom ragù over polenta, aged cheddar or Comté.

Tasting Profile

Expect the profile of a mature Rutherford Cabernet: dried blackcurrant and plum giving way to cedar, tobacco, leather and the dusty, earthy note the area is known for. Long bottle age typically softens the tannins and slims the body, making it more like an older Bordeaux than plush modern Napa, with lively acidity and a dry, savoury, slowly fading finish.

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