The Tribe Vineyard Syrah

I love these wines, lovely Grenache

Again, these are love it or hate it style wines, and I fall on the “love it” side every single time. This was part of a blind lineup for “Rhône style wines”. These wines are a bit difficult not to identify in a blind lineup due to their distinctive aromatics.

My note here is pretty similar to the 2011 I opened a year and a half ago. In true to Christophe Baron style, this is a savory packed punch wrapped in elegance. Aromatically, it’s a heady display of soy, teriyaki, green olive, peppercorn crusted smoked meats, currant and spicy rhubarb. At 10yrs, the palate is almost a dead ringer for high end northern Rhône Syrah. The savory/iron driven components from the nose continue but there is great acid followed by stems, herbs de Provence and lots of wildflowers/potpourri for a floral finish. I found the 2011 to have a lighter/more floral profile, but this one certainly has more stuffing and aging potential. This seems to just now be entering a peak drinking window.

Also in the lineup was a 2014 Hors Categorie (also from Christophe Baron), and I found the 2012 HP to taste younger, while the 2014 HC had a bit more heft in the mid-palate. Love both.

The 2014 Horsepower ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah is absolutely singing at the six year mark. Coming from the 3.2 acre Tribe Vineyard, this outstanding Syrah opens with bacon fat and roasted figs that combine with smoked meats and Umami aromas that take shape in the glass. The freshness and verve of the wine is truly sensational. Light wet stone character combines with pipe tobacco, Umami, smoked brisket and ripe boysenberry flavors as this shows great weight but is also beautifully structured. The plush texture and long finish offer their resounding crescendo. Fantastic now, the 2014 ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah is drinking right in its sweet spot. Drink 2020-2028- 95

Got to pop some special bottles when my good friend Shawn came in to town!

My third bottle to pop of the evening. These are love it or hate it style wines, and I fall on the “love it” side every single time. The type of wines that can express the terroir of this area is just incredible. In true to Cayuse/Christophe Baron style, this is a savory packed punch wrapped in elegance. This is actually the inaugural vintage for HP, and even at 8/9 yrs of age, this is still quite youthful. Aromatically, it’s a heady display of soy, teriyaki, green olive, peppercorn crusted smoked meats, currant and spicy rhubarb. The palate shows just a touch more heft than most traditional high end northern Rhône Syrahs, but aside from that, it’s a dead ringer. The savory/iron driven components from the nose continue, but there is great acid followed by herbs de Provence and lots of wildflowers/potpourri for a floral finish. I followed this over 48hrs and it powered through the entire time. So much complexity here. My thanks to @Bill Bender for helping me try this.

It’s a classic Walla Walla well made Syrah. It’s just too much smoked meats and alcohol for my wheelhouse. I still like my wine for its fruit.

Light on its feet. Seems unfiltered and maybe not racked that clean, there was a ring around the neck of the bottle. Great wine, olive and a distinct pepper note that frames the fruit on the back end. Red fruited, light on the tannin and acid scale, this is classic. Over most peoples heads, funktified,

Talk about an introduction to Washington state wines! Wow. @Benjamin Keator and @Keith Fisher were kind enough to share a glass of some big boy WA wines, and both were super unique.

I have never in my life had a Syrah like this. @Mark Flesher was on point when he said the nose had a tuna smell to it. Some also got dill pickle on the nose...for me, it was more Olive. Very red in the glass compared to the inky dark Syrahs that Napa puts out. Again, I wasn't able to stick around to do this justice, but this has a long life ahead. Very crisp acidity on the palate with loads of raspberries and rhubarb. Light on the front and mid palate, but super long finish and strong tannic backbone. A very cool wine.

From a great tasting at Cayuse Vineyards with Christophe Baron/Trevor Dorland.

My first time tasting the HP from Christophe who also does it all at Cayuse. I liked this, it was not trying too hard to be anything but a good Syrah in character from Washington St. From a new site of the gravelly and stone sites he is most famous for with his other wines.

floats over the palate but should gain weight in good time #matteroftaste