Cayuse Vineyards
Camaspelo Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
As a die-hard fan of the Rocks funk, the profile of these wines are totally up my alley. That being said, even I admit that these desperately need food to be at their best. This was no different.
Followed over two days. Two hr double decant day one.
60/30/10 cab/merlot/Tempranillo. Up front, signature Cayuse funk (iron, savory whole cluster herbal profile). Tempranillo really shining. Nothing BDX about this. Thin, spicy, peppery. Black cherry but mostly underripe with a metallic finish.
Day two, I paired this with food (grilled chicken and beef) and this wine transformed in to a totally different wine. Much more heft and core of sweet, ripe fruit. Like a cool vintage left bank Bordeaux but without Brett. Floral, soft pipe tobacco, dark fruits, fig. The overly savory vibe of day one is non-existent on day two.
Perfect example of a wine that simply needs time to evolve for those who find the Cayuse funk too intense (I don’t mind it, but also appreciate it as a layer, not a main player in a wine).
As a die-hard fan of the Rocks funk, the profile of these wines are totally up my alley. That being said, even I admit that these desperately need food to be at their best. This was no different.
Followed over two days. Two hr double decant day one.
60/30/10 cab/merlot/Tempranillo. Up front, signature Cayuse funk (iron, savory whole cluster herbal profile). Tempranillo really shining. Nothing BDX about this. Thin, spicy, peppery. Black cherry but mostly underripe with a metallic finish.
Day two, I paired this with food (grilled chicken and beef) and this wine transformed in to a totally different wine. Much more heft and core of sweet, ripe fruit. Like a cool vintage left bank Bordeaux but without Brett. Floral, soft pipe tobacco, dark fruits, fig. The overly savory vibe of day one is non-existent on day two.
Perfect example of a wine that simply needs time to evolve for those who find the Cayuse funk too intense (I don’t mind it, but also appreciate it as a layer, not a main player in a wine).
This was fun to try next to my Cayuse Syrah, so I appreciate @Keith Fisher opening this. There is no way I would have called this cab dominant if tasting blind. It has Walla Walla like Syrah notes with the iron and olive tapenade on the nose but was very dense on the mid palate. Glycerin like with muddled blackberries and sweet boysenberries. This didn’t show much for the first hour, but really changed after an additional hour. Very cool.
This was fun to try next to my Cayuse Syrah, so I appreciate @Keith Fisher opening this. There is no way I would have called this cab dominant if tasting blind. It has Walla Walla like Syrah notes with the iron and olive tapenade on the nose but was very dense on the mid palate. Glycerin like with muddled blackberries and sweet boysenberries. This didn’t show much for the first hour, but really changed after an additional hour. Very cool.
Apr 27th, 2019
Nice blend with some meat/pepper/leather in addition to the more Cabernet fruit profile. Drinking nicely now.
Nice blend with some meat/pepper/leather in addition to the more Cabernet fruit profile. Drinking nicely now.
Dec 16th, 2017This wine was such a conundrum! So much funk on the nose that it had to be Cayuse, and that meant to me that this was funky Washington Syrah. Well, I was half right as it was Cayuse, but there was zero Syrah in this. Makes no sense! Couldn't believe it. Bloody game meat, graphite, olive tapenade.
This wine was such a conundrum! So much funk on the nose that it had to be Cayuse, and that meant to me that this was funky Washington Syrah. Well, I was half right as it was Cayuse, but there was zero Syrah in this. Makes no sense! Couldn't believe it. Bloody game meat, graphite, olive tapenade.
Aug 26th, 2017
2011 cab, very good blend
2011 cab, very good blend
1 person found it helpfulSep 1st, 2014
Probably wouldn't have guessed Cabernet, but this was unmistakably Cayuse.
Probably wouldn't have guessed Cabernet, but this was unmistakably Cayuse.
Jun 3rd, 2017Interesting. A brief nose of Cabernet before some black pepper, saline, and cedar comes to the front. Palate follows through on those features. Balanced finish with medium tannins. Guesses included old world and new world and multiple varieties.
Interesting. A brief nose of Cabernet before some black pepper, saline, and cedar comes to the front. Palate follows through on those features. Balanced finish with medium tannins. Guesses included old world and new world and multiple varieties.
Nov 18th, 2016
Blind Tasting MOT=95
Color: Might be garnet or closer to brick red
Nose: An incredible, not sure what to call it but funk. Not disgusting or a turn off but really interesting. Made me feel warm. Earthy and dark cherries.
Palate: Solid amount of fruit but fruit thinned out. Tannins did not, strong and enjoyable.
Opinion: I love interesting and unique wines and this is one. Someone thought (blind tasting) that it was an aged old world pinot, its delicious. I need to get more.
Reveal: My WOTN, also my wine but I loved it!
Blind Tasting MOT=95
Color: Might be garnet or closer to brick red
Nose: An incredible, not sure what to call it but funk. Not disgusting or a turn off but really interesting. Made me feel warm. Earthy and dark cherries.
Palate: Solid amount of fruit but fruit thinned out. Tannins did not, strong and enjoyable.
Opinion: I love interesting and unique wines and this is one. Someone thought (blind tasting) that it was an aged old world pinot, its delicious. I need to get more.
Reveal: My WOTN, also my wine but I loved it!
