Cayuse Vineyards
Armada Vineyard Syrah
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
Second time tasting Cayuse. Red, medium pigment extraction, shedding sediment. Some plum, prune and fermented black bean in nose. The Rocks funk… Cherry flavor, seed bitterness, raspberry and saltiness in aftertaste. Later, black cherry skin and pit flavors emerge.
Second time tasting Cayuse. Red, medium pigment extraction, shedding sediment. Some plum, prune and fermented black bean in nose. The Rocks funk… Cherry flavor, seed bitterness, raspberry and saltiness in aftertaste. Later, black cherry skin and pit flavors emerge.
Dec 25th, 2022
Color me impressed at how youthful this was drinking. Normally one of the “bigger”/more intense syrahs from Christophe, this is certainly flexing its high usage of whole cluster/stems as well as classical Cayuse funk. I had a small glass at pop, and then enjoyed from the bottle over the next 2+hrs. Smoked cherry jerky, black peppercorn crusted raspberries, and plenty of stemmy green notes jump from the glass. Acidity is still really quite vibrant here, keeping the wine nervy and wild. Fleshy black cherries, truffle/savory herbs de Provence, and iron minerality to the core here. Towards the end, the floral notes really started to pop. Aging at a glacial pace.
Color me impressed at how youthful this was drinking. Normally one of the “bigger”/more intense syrahs from Christophe, this is certainly flexing its high usage of whole cluster/stems as well as classical Cayuse funk. I had a small glass at pop, and then enjoyed from the bottle over the next 2+hrs. Smoked cherry jerky, black peppercorn crusted raspberries, and plenty of stemmy green notes jump from the glass. Acidity is still really quite vibrant here, keeping the wine nervy and wild. Fleshy black cherries, truffle/savory herbs de Provence, and iron minerality to the core here. Towards the end, the floral notes really started to pop. Aging at a glacial pace.
Sep 19th, 2021
Really delicious. Raspberry and black fruits. Velvety structure but certainly not heavy. Very good Syrah from Washington State.
Really delicious. Raspberry and black fruits. Velvety structure but certainly not heavy. Very good Syrah from Washington State.
Nov 27th, 2019
This 2005 bottle shows the length and complexity Washington syrah can reach with maturity. This has the gamy and smoky nuance of a Northern Rhône with the fruit still front and center as you'd expect from the New World. Smoke, black pepper, forest floor, blackberry, leather and licorice all play a part. Full bodied, mature tannin structure long finish.
This 2005 bottle shows the length and complexity Washington syrah can reach with maturity. This has the gamy and smoky nuance of a Northern Rhône with the fruit still front and center as you'd expect from the New World. Smoke, black pepper, forest floor, blackberry, leather and licorice all play a part. Full bodied, mature tannin structure long finish.
Sep 8th, 2019
One of the better Cayuse’s I’ve had. However, still too much bacon fat & smoke for me. Also, not in love with the ABV alcohol heat.
One of the better Cayuse’s I’ve had. However, still too much bacon fat & smoke for me. Also, not in love with the ABV alcohol heat.
Aug 17th, 2019
I really love this wine and this vintage
I really love this wine and this vintage
Jun 24th, 2019
This bottle is a good example of my experience with Cayuse Syrahs at 10+. Much darker fruited profile with some slightly raisined notes, good acidity, and the rocks district funk.
This bottle is a good example of my experience with Cayuse Syrahs at 10+. Much darker fruited profile with some slightly raisined notes, good acidity, and the rocks district funk.
May 21st, 2019
Can’t go wrong with the always unique outlier Cayuse in the mix. Raconteur @Shay A brought this and the expected fox fur and raw hot dog bouquet hits you immediately upon initial swirl. Blood and iron everywhere. Like a civil war battlefield. Always fun.
Can’t go wrong with the always unique outlier Cayuse in the mix. Raconteur @Shay A brought this and the expected fox fur and raw hot dog bouquet hits you immediately upon initial swirl. Blood and iron everywhere. Like a civil war battlefield. Always fun.
Dec 1st, 2018WNH event number two. Rhône varietal wines with TX BBQ...a match made in Heaven!
This was my contribution...hard not to be biased, but I was giddy to see how this was tasting and I wasn’t disappointed. Can’t get enough of these wines. Classical Cayuse funk on the nose...wet fox fur, olive tapenade, brisket (or was that the BBQ I had with this?), and stewed raspberries and blackberries on the nose. The palate was a touch heavier (meatier and more iron driven) than the northern Rhône bottles, with less spice. Love it or hate it style.
WNH event number two. Rhône varietal wines with TX BBQ...a match made in Heaven!
This was my contribution...hard not to be biased, but I was giddy to see how this was tasting and I wasn’t disappointed. Can’t get enough of these wines. Classical Cayuse funk on the nose...wet fox fur, olive tapenade, brisket (or was that the BBQ I had with this?), and stewed raspberries and blackberries on the nose. The palate was a touch heavier (meatier and more iron driven) than the northern Rhône bottles, with less spice. Love it or hate it style.