By CostcoFan | Updated June 2026
Item #55995 | Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 750 mL | $73.99 (2018 Vintage) | Current vintages range from $59.99-85.99 at Costco depending on vintage and location
Costco’s wine section is quietly one of the best-kept secrets in the warehouse. They carry everything from $8 Kirkland boxed wine to bottles over $1,000. The Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon sits in that sweet spot — premium enough to impress at a dinner party, but priced below what you’d pay at a wine shop.
I’m not a wine drinker myself, but I know a good Costco deal when I see one. Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet retails for $80-100+ at most wine retailers. Costco regularly carries it for $60-86 depending on the vintage. That’s a meaningful savings on one of Napa Valley’s most recognized names. Here’s everything you need to know before you grab a bottle.
This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, CostcoFan earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
What Makes Caymus Special
Caymus Vineyards was founded in 1972 by Chuck Wagner and his parents in Rutherford, Napa Valley. What started as 250 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon has grown into one of the most recognized wine brands in California. The Wagner family still runs the operation — this isn’t a corporate wine label, it’s a family vineyard with over 50 years of history.
The secret to Caymus is sourcing. They farm Cabernet grapes across 8 of Napa Valley’s 16 sub-appellations — from Coombsville to Calistoga. Grapes from the valley floor create the lush, fruit-forward character Caymus is known for, while hillside fruit provides backbone and structure. This diversification allows the winemaker to select the best fruit each vintage and create a consistently rich, full-bodied wine year after year.
Caymus has a signature style: dark color, rich fruit, ripe velvety tannins. The wine is deliberately crafted to be approachable in its youth — you don’t need to cellar it for 10 years to enjoy it. Open it tonight with a steak and it delivers.
Important note: This is the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, not the Special Selection. The Special Selection is Caymus’s premium bottling at $160-500 per bottle. The Napa Valley bottling is the more accessible option at $60-86 at Costco. As one reviewer put it, the Private Selection is better but at 2-3 times the price, it’s not worth the premium for most people. The standard Napa Valley bottling delivers an excellent experience at a fraction of the cost.
The 2018 Vintage: Tasting Notes and Ratings
The 2018 vintage was produced during one of California’s most devastating wildfire seasons, which affected growing conditions across Napa Valley and drove up pricing across the region. Despite the challenging conditions, Caymus delivered a strong 2018 bottling.
Wine Spectator — 92/100: Described as lush and caressing, with creamy plum, boysenberry, and açaí berry fruit liberally laced with milk chocolate and melted black licorice notes. Recommended drinking through 2028.
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com — 90/100: Described as ripe, smooth, and delectable, with aromas and flavors of ripe fruit and oak. Recommended pairing with a well-seasoned roast leg of lamb.
CellarTracker — 89/100: Community average from hundreds of user reviews.
What real drinkers say: The consistent themes across owner reviews are unmistakable. The wine is big, bold, and fruit-driven with dark fruit, soft chocolate, and buttery notes. Multiple reviewers call it excellent with grilled steaks and BBQ ribs. One described it as “fruity and aromatic with condensed milk notes — a luxuriant, exaggerated, and concentrated Napa Valley wine.” Another simply said “another fine vintage from Caymus, balanced and exceptional.”
The most common critique: some drinkers find it slightly less persistent on the palate than other Caymus vintages, with the flavor fading quickly after the initial impact. Others describe it as lighter than expected for a full-bodied Napa Cab. These are minority opinions — most reviewers rate it excellent.
Wine Details
- Winery: Caymus Vineyards, Rutherford, Napa Valley
- Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Region: Napa Valley, California
- Vintage: 2018 (Costco carries the current vintage — check bottle for year)
- Bottle size: 750 mL
- ABV: 13.9% (2018 vintage; varies slightly by year, typically 14.4-14.8% in newer vintages)
- Style: Full-bodied, fruit-forward, rich
- Tasting notes: Dark fruit, plum, boysenberry, black cherry, milk chocolate, melted licorice, vanilla, toasted oak
- Drink window: Approachable now; can cellar through 2028+ for the 2018 vintage
Food Pairings
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is a steak wine. That’s not reductive — it’s the truth. The bold, fruit-forward profile with ripe tannins was built to stand up to rich, savory dishes.
Classic pairings that work:
- Grilled ribeye or New York strip steak — the #1 pairing recommended by both critics and everyday drinkers
- BBQ ribs — the wine’s chocolate and dark fruit notes complement smoky, charred meat
- Roast leg of lamb — Wine.com’s Wilfred Wong specifically paired the 2018 with seasoned lamb
- Veal or roast chicken (hearty preparations)
- Aged cheddar, Gouda, or Mimolette cheese
Adventurous pairings:
- Eel donburi (Japanese eel rice bowl with soy and sake glaze)
- Bone-in ribeye from heritage breeds (Belted Galloway, Black Angus)
- Grilled portobello mushrooms with balsamic reduction (vegetarian option)
The general rule: the richer and more savory the dish, the better it pairs with Caymus. Avoid delicate fish or light salads — the wine will overpower them.
Costco Pricing: How Much You Save
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon is one of those wines where Costco’s price advantage is significant:
Costco: $59.99-85.99 depending on vintage and location (Item #55995). The 2018 vintage was $73.99.
Total Wine & More: $69.99-84.97
Wine.com: $79.99-89.99
Average retail (Wine-Searcher): $83 per bottle
Wine shops and restaurants: $90-120+ per bottle, with restaurant markups pushing $150+ by the glass pricing equivalent
At Costco’s price range, you’re saving $10-30 per bottle compared to most retailers. Over a case of 12, that’s $120-360 in savings. For wine enthusiasts who drink Caymus regularly, buying at Costco is the obvious move.
Costco Availability
Caymus is a seasonal item at Costco — it doesn’t sit on shelves year-round in every store. Availability depends on your region, your specific warehouse, and which vintage Costco is currently carrying. California stores tend to have the most consistent stock since Caymus is a Napa Valley wine.
Costco rotates vintages as new ones are released. If you see the current vintage in your store, don’t assume it’ll be there next month. Wine allocation at Costco is limited and popular bottles move fast.
Pro tip: If you love Caymus, buy 2-3 bottles when you see it at your Costco. The wine cellars well (the 2018 vintage drinks well through 2028), and you won’t always find it in stock.
Costco does not sell wine online in most states due to alcohol shipping regulations. This is an in-store purchase only for the majority of members.
Caymus vs. Other Costco Wines
Costco’s wine section offers several premium California Cabernets. Here’s where Caymus fits:
Kirkland Signature Napa Valley Cabernet ($10-15): Excellent everyday wine at an unbeatable price. Not in the same league as Caymus for complexity or depth, but remarkable for the price. This is your Tuesday night wine.
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet ($60-86): The premium sweet spot. Rich, bold, consistently excellent. This is your dinner party or special occasion wine.
Caymus Special Selection ($160-500): The flagship. Significantly more complex and age-worthy, but 2-3 times the price. Most drinkers won’t notice enough of a difference to justify the premium.
For most Costco shoppers, the standard Napa Valley Caymus at $60-86 delivers 90%+ of the Caymus experience at a third of the Special Selection price. It’s the value play in the Caymus lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Caymus wine at Costco?
Current pricing ranges from $59.99 to $85.99 depending on vintage and location (Item #55995). This is typically $10-30 less per bottle than wine shops and online retailers.
Is Caymus wine at Costco the same as in stores?
Yes. It’s the identical Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley — same wine, same vintage, same bottle. Costco just sells it at a lower price due to their buying power.
Is this the Caymus Special Selection?
No. The Costco bottle is the Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which is the standard (and more affordable) bottling. The Special Selection is a separate, premium wine at $160-500+ per bottle.
What food goes best with Caymus Cabernet?
Grilled steak (especially ribeye), BBQ ribs, roast lamb, and aged cheeses. Any rich, savory protein dish pairs well. Avoid pairing with delicate or light dishes.
Does Costco always carry Caymus?
No. Caymus is seasonal and limited at most Costco locations. California stores tend to have the best availability. Buy when you see it — it may not be there next visit.
Can I buy Caymus wine on Costco.com?
In most states, no. Alcohol shipping regulations prevent online wine sales at Costco for the majority of locations. This is primarily an in-store purchase.
How long can I keep Caymus before drinking it?
The 2018 vintage drinks well through 2028 per Wine Spectator. Newer vintages will have similar or longer drinking windows. Store in a cool, dark place — ideally a wine fridge or cellar at 55°F.
Enhance Your Caymus Experience
You can’t buy Caymus on Amazon, but these accessories will elevate your next bottle:
Le Chateau Crystal Wine Decanter with Aerator on Amazon → A bold Napa Cab like Caymus benefits from decanting. This hand-blown crystal decanter with built-in aerator opens up the wine’s flavors in minutes. Let it breathe before serving with steak.
Wine Enthusiast Electric Wine Opener on Amazon → The same style of electric wine opener Costco carries (Rabbit brand). Opens any cork in seconds with one button press. Includes foil cutter.
Wine Enthusiast 18-Bottle Slimline Dual Zone Wine Cooler on Amazon → If you’re buying 2-3 bottles at a time, store them properly. This countertop wine fridge holds 18 bottles at the ideal 55°F. Worth the investment for any wine you plan to cellar.
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This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, CostcoFan earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. CostcoFan is not affiliated with Costco Wholesale Corporation or Caymus Vineyards.
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Have you Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon at the Orange Ave. store for purchase now?
Each store is different so I’m not sure exactly which store carries whine wine. This was located in Northern California btw