Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried, mixed fruits: brambles, plum, blueberry, purple flowers, leather, earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and rich. Alcohol is medium+. Pretty tasty stuff.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Merlot (or blend thereof), Cabernet Franc (or blend), Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend), Shiraz (or blend) Tempranillo or Syrah from the United States, France, Australia or Spain. The fruit is the star here so I’m taking this to the “new world”. Plus, there is a generosity and elevated alcohol that gives me Aussie vibes (though I find the wine balanced). I also think this has 15-20 years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Shiraz blend from Australia, Barossa, 2005. Daaaaaang. Andrew Will! I don’t hate my call but I should have probably done better with this one since I’m very familiar with these wines. Still much to learn. Drink now through 2037. — a day ago

Keith Levenberg

9.3

About five years since I last had this and back then it was as closed down a wine as I've ever had from Rhys, or from the entire United States of America for that matter. It's very interesting what's happened, as it's now come out of its closed state but not by getting more advanced. Instead it's moved in the opposite direction and gushes with fresh primary fruit in the manner of a Rhys pinot fresh off the UPS truck. It has an inky gloss with dark wild berry and plum flavors but it takes a couple hours in the decanter for it to really show off its distinction. That's when the quality of the tannins starts to show and it becomes notable more than anything for its silky refinement. — 10 years ago

Vanessa

9.0

Happy National Red Wine Day!! 🙌🙌

We’re excited to celebrate with this Columbia Valley Syrah blend from the family-owned L’Ecole No. 41 winery in Washington State. 🇺🇸 @lecole41

Washington State is an important region for Syrah within the United States; however, this grape variety finds its true home in northern Rhône Valley, France. 🇫🇷

Syrah can fare well in warmer (e.g., Hunter Valley or Barossa Valley, Australia) and/or cooler (e.g., northern Rhône) climates. The climate has a pretty big impact on the style and expression of the resulting wine. Try tasting a Barossa Valley Shiraz next to a Syrah from Cornas, Rhône Valley and you may see (and taste) what I mean. 🤔 🧐 😆

The Columbia Valley region benefits from what’s called a “rain shadow” effect thanks to its location to the east of the Cascade mountains. 🏔 🏔The Cascades shield the region from the wet, intense weather coming in from the coast. As a result, the climate is warmer, drier, and sunnier, which supports the ripening process and stresses the vines, enhancing concentration of the fruit. 👍👍

This wine is a blend of 77% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 2% Mourvedre varieties hailing from the vineyards of Candy Mountain, Stone Tree, Estate Seven Hills, Bacchus, and Summitville. It was fermented in stainless steel and was then racked in small, mostly neutral oak barrels over the course of 18 months.🍷🍷🍷

This wine is medium purple with heavy tearing; it’s full-bodied and jam-packed with ripe blueberry, black cherry, blackberry, and black currant notes, also black pepper, licorice, and leather. 💕💕We’re pairing it, initially, with a bite of Gruyère, Manchego, and fig, followed by grilled brats, portabellas, and zucchinis. It stands up well to the intensity of flavors. — 5 years ago

with Deked1

Ryan Vachon

9.2

Velvet and terroir! But, you must lead decant! Do not judged upon your first class. It is wonderful that the United States is venturing into unusual territory, because they can succeed. Had w Clint — 9 years ago

Collier S. Wiese

9.1

Dry and crisp. Nice light citrus notes with a nice tartness. It should be noted that when this wine comes up in Delectable it lists as a Rose’ blend from Central Australia. The label clearly states is is Syrah from Washington state. — 5 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.4

Happy #winewednesday everyone! Since it’s #wawinemonth we decided to crack open this 2011 Cayuse Syrah from the Cailloux Vineyard.
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2011 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard
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The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Oregon, United States of America
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Beautiful Syrah which in 2011 was co-fermented with 5% Viognier from the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater in Oregon. Medium ruby red with some garnet hues. Layered nose with purple flowers, light baking spices, crushed rocks, raspberries and a bit savory. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and medium plus body. Love the funk and iron on the palate followed up by some red berries, smoked earth and white pepper. Long finish. Drink till 2025.
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94 Points
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#cayusevineyards #cayuse #cultwine #wawine #syrah #shiraz #viognier #redwine #wine #tastingnote #wines #redwines #washingtonstate #winegasm #wineporn #winestagram #winesofinstagram #winelover #winelovers #winerylovers #94MDPoints #Millennialdrinkers #nationalredwineday — 7 years ago

with India