Cayuse Vineyards
En Cerise Vineyard Syrah
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
The 2011 Cayuse Syrah from the En Cerise Vineyard in Walla Walla is showing so well tonight. There’s enough youth to it that the fruit is still front and center, but also enough age that its full depth of the complexity has emerged. Black cherry, plum, and blackberry, but with an exotic blood orange component that really ties the wine together and provides a seamless segue into the layers of garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender, sandalwood, smoldering incense, crushed rock, and campfire smoked meat with cracked pepper. The terroir is as undeniable as is the “Cayuse Funk” that Christophe Baron is so well known for. Extraordinary.
The 2011 Cayuse Syrah from the En Cerise Vineyard in Walla Walla is showing so well tonight. There’s enough youth to it that the fruit is still front and center, but also enough age that its full depth of the complexity has emerged. Black cherry, plum, and blackberry, but with an exotic blood orange component that really ties the wine together and provides a seamless segue into the layers of garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender, sandalwood, smoldering incense, crushed rock, and campfire smoked meat with cracked pepper. The terroir is as undeniable as is the “Cayuse Funk” that Christophe Baron is so well known for. Extraordinary.
Aug 12th, 2018
Easy 98/100 p. Benchmark quality for the variety and for the region. Amazing grip and presence with laser sharp acidity, pronounced minerality and very pure aromatics and flavors. Endless finish.
Easy 98/100 p. Benchmark quality for the variety and for the region. Amazing grip and presence with laser sharp acidity, pronounced minerality and very pure aromatics and flavors. Endless finish.
Jun 7th, 2015
2011 Cayuse En Cerise Vyd Syrah ~ lavender & violets, dark berries (and their liqueurs) herbed salami & tapenade
2011 Cayuse En Cerise Vyd Syrah ~ lavender & violets, dark berries (and their liqueurs) herbed salami & tapenade
May 29th, 2015
Still very youthful, still has miles ahead. Compacted spice bomb
Still very youthful, still has miles ahead. Compacted spice bomb
Jan 28th, 2024
The nose is still delightful, but the taste has fainted a bit and lost of his initial power.
The nose is still delightful, but the taste has fainted a bit and lost of his initial power.
Apr 5th, 2021
Needs a lot more time. Decanted in the morning.
Needs a lot more time. Decanted in the morning.
Sep 1st, 2016Unique minerality for new world Syrah; could be mistaken for modern cornas
Unique minerality for new world Syrah; could be mistaken for modern cornas
Sep 14th, 2015Served with Wild Salmon, Basil and Capers.
Served with Wild Salmon, Basil and Capers.
Jul 23rd, 2015