2017 Washington Wine Blog Winery of the Year: Cayuse Vineyards

As our holiday season begins to wind down, we bring you our 2017 winery of the year. The award is given to the winery with the top overall lineup of wines that we have sampled over the past year.  This is the second year that we have offered this award and our 2017 winner is Cayuse Vineyards, led by Walla Walla wine pioneer, Christophe Baron and his talented assistant vigneronne, Elizabeth Bourcier. Christophe Baron continues to be one of the world’s eminent innovators in the wine industry. His Hors Categorie Vineyard is a marvel to see and the 2014 Hors Categorie Syrah (WWB, 99) is an intoxicating Syrah that has magnificent range and sense of place. Another wine that flirts with perfection is the 2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah (WWB, 99) which is deep, poised and simply irresistible. It is hard to describe the scintillating range of this highly compelling bottling.

Even better is the 2017 Washington Wine Blog wine of the year, the 2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine (WWB, 100) which is the first 100 point wine that I have awarded out of Washington. The one white wine that Cayuse produces, 2014 Cayuse Vineyards Viognier (WWB, 94) is the best Viognier that I sampled last year out of North America. We wanted to offer our deepest congratulations on the great accomplishments by the superstars of Cayuse Vineyards. Here is the entire lineup of wines by Cayuse Vineyards. 

2015 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Viognier-  This absolutely stunning Viognier wine was aged in a combination concrete eggs and stainless steel. The combination has led to a marvelous texture from the aging in eggs. This wine begins with a highly perfumed nose showing off white peach, sea salt, lychee and red delicious apple. This has an exotic edge, showing wonderful texture and viscosity on the mid-palate. Green apple, lychee, green papaya, and nectarine flavors persist, leading to a near minute long finish. You have to admire the weight, salinity and the minerality of this wine. Only 152 cases made. Drink 2017- 2024- 94

2015 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Edith’ Grenache Rose- This ‘Edith’ Rose comes from the Armada Vineyard utilizing Grenache rows near the Syrah planted there. Weighing in at 12.7% alcohol, his hot vintage wine is picked at a very low brix. Fruit is then crushed and then set into maceration for 24 hours and then was gently pressed. The wine was partly stored in concrete eggs and stainless steel. This has wonderful fresh strawberry, guava, white peach and wild mushroom aromatics. The freshness, texture and minerality is there. Ripe strawberry, teaberry, orange rind and suggestions of baking spices persist, showing a nice saline streak.  The citrus element impresses. The weight wonderful, leading to an exceedingly long finish. Only 119 cases made. Drink 2017-2022- 93

2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine- The 2014 God Only Knows was aged in neutral oak puncheons. Yields this vintage were a mere ton and a half per acre. This stunning wine was sourced from the Armada Vineyard and follows up the absolutely scintillating 2013 ‘God Only Knows.’ The Grenache begins with downright intoxicating aromatics of bulls blood, Tangerine rind, black forest cake, black truffle oil, and Earl Grey tea.  This walks a tight rope between feminine and masculine, showcasing dark fruits like blackberry cobbler, and black plum with red raspberry preserves, red cherry, pomegranate seed. There are also blood orange, Umami, black olive tapenade and marvelous tension to the wine. The ‘God Only Knows’ has nearly a minute long finish with light tannins. The range here is ethereal. This is a perfect wine made by the amazing team of Christophe Baron and Elizabeth Borcier of Cayuse Vineyards. Drink 2017-2029- 100

2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Flying Pig’ Red Wine- This wine is a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet. Sauvignon. Christophe Baron has mentioned that the Cabernet Sauvignon has been added to the backbone of the wine. The wine was aged for 8 months in 30% new French oak prior to bottling. The wine has a dark core. Aromatics remind me of horse manure, Umami, black tea and boysenberry preserves. The weight of this wine is marvelous as this showcases blackberry cobbler, milk chocolate, roasted figs and black cherry preserves. The tension and minerality of the wine is gorgeous. Drink 2017-2027- 94

2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘The Lovers’ Red Wine- This red blend has 15% Syrah matched with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was aged in 20% new French oak for 8 months prior to bottling. This is a tribute to the former tradition in France to bring Syrah from Hermitage and blend into the Cabernet Sauvignon. This inky colored wine begins with aromatics of Chinese black tea, wild blackberry pie, smoked brisket, milk chocolate shavings and tar. The aromatic range is gorgeous. Showing some firm tannins at this juncture, this wine has a wonderful freshness. Black olive tapenade, black tea, creosote and hints of blood orange and Umami. The citrus element entices. Drink 2017-2028- 95

2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Camaspelo’ Red Wine- The 2014 ‘Camaspelo’ Red Wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that Christophe Baron also adds a touch of some unknown other varietals. The wine was aged for 30% new French oak for 8 months prior to bottling. Red fruits and smoky elements show beautifully aromatically alongside black truffle oil and horse manure. The palate is plush, as this wine showcases black olive, black tea, wild blackberry pie and creosote with suggestions of black truffle and blood orange rind. The tension, salinity and freshness of this wine is novel. This is another stunner by the superstar team of Christophe Baron and Elizabeth Borcier. Only 335 cases produced of this outstanding wine. Drink 2017-2027- 95

2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard’ Cabernet Suavignon- The wine was aged in 40% new French 600L puncheons prior to bottling. This deep hued wine begins with aromatics of Asian spices, black tea, blackberry cobbler and milk chocolate with suggestions of thyme, Tangerine rind and black truffle oil. The aromatic range here is downright intoxicating. The weight and tension is gorgeous here, as this wine showcases a wonderful freshness. Blackberry pie, black tea, blueberry liquor and cassis flavors also connect with mild tannins and citrus fruit. You have to love the intensity and weight of this impressive Cabernet bottling. This is another stunner by Cayuse that is best enjoyed over the next decade. Drink 2017-2028- 94

2014 Cayuse Vineyard ‘En Cerise Vineyard’ Syrah- This insanely delicious wine begins with aromatics of horse manure, bulls blood, blood orange, Umami, black truffle oil, white pepper, and blackberry pie. The aromatic range is simply gorgeous and brings you back to the glass for more. The tension is marvelous, as the wine showcases black tea, blackberry cobbler, sea salt, bulls blood and Mandarin orange rind flavors. The acidity of this wine is simply gorgeous, as  the plush texture that glides across the mid-palate. This gorgeous Syrah will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 96

2014 Cayuse Vineyard ‘En Chamberlin Vineyard’ Syrah- This enticing 2014 ‘En Chamberlin Vineyard; Syrah was sourced from a vineyard planted in 2000. This wine opens with a bright bouquet of smoked brisket, green olive tapenade, Chinese black tea, blackberry cobbler and black truffle. The minerality and tension here is stunning, as are the deep and penetrating aromas. This wine showcases milk chocolate, Asian spices, horse manure and black olive tapenade flavors that sit alongside some light tannins. This is another stunner here. Drink 2017-2027- 96

2014 Cayuse Vineyard ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah- This inky colored wine is downright intoxicating and is a memorable effort by Cayuse Vineyards. Sourced from the four acre Cocinelle Vineyard, planted to Syrah. The wine was aged in 15% new oak puncheons for 8 months prior to bottling. The wine begins with aromatics reminiscent of tarragon, blackberry cobbler, Umami, smoked pork shoulder and black truffle oil. The aromatics are literally mouth watering. The flavors are even more mouth watering as the acidity, saline streak and fruit weight is highly compelling. Umami, blackberry cobbler, crushed mint, smoked short rib and green olive flavors impress. The range is really insane here. Hats off to the superstar winemaking team of Christophe Baron and Elizabeth Bourcier. Only 115 cases made of this outstanding wine. Drink 2017-2028- 99

2014 Cayuse Vineyard ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah- This wine was sourced from a high density vineyard, named after the Spanish Armada. Christophe Baron has found that the more vines per acre leads to more tension in the wines. This wine was aged for 8 months in 15% new French oak prior to bottling. This gorgeous, inky Syrah opens with aromatics of green peppercorn, Umami, soy sauce, black tea, blackberry pie and horse manure. The gorgeous aromatics continually bring you back to the glass. The salinity and tension of this wine is intense. Sea salt, Umami, soy sauce, peat moss, red cherry and red raspberry liquor. The feminine quality of this wine is downright sexy. Drink 2017-2027- 97

2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah No. 6’ Red Wine- This is a magnum only bottling that is a special blend of Syrah from a host of vineyards. The result is another heavyhitter by Cayuse Vineyards. This translucent colored wine begins with aromatics of bulls blood, blood orange, blackberry cobbler, Umami and white truffle. The aromatics are intoxicating and the tension is stunning. Black olive tapenade, black tea, hoisin sauce, black cherry and Parma ham flavors entice. The salinity of this wine is lovely as this wine is impossible to resist. This will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2028- 97

2014 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo-  The wine was aged in 50% new French puncheons for 8 months prior to bottling. This wine weighs in at only 13.6% alcohol and is named after a famous bull which was saved prior to his bull fighting years. Smoky aromatics compel you with iodine, spicebox, anise, sagebrush and black olive tapenade. The palate is plush and mineral driven. Moderately tannic, this show Umami, black cherry, black tea and boysenberry cobbler. Chewy tannins show off this awesome Tempranillo, all leading to an exceedingly long finish. This effort seductive and intense. Drink 2017-2027- 95

2014 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache- In 2002 Christophe Baron purchased a former brothel in Walla Walla and No Girls was subsequently named after that building. This wine is sourced from the La Pacencia Vineyard and this wine saw 100% neutral oak. You are immediately drawn to the downright insane aromatics of this wine. The bouquet reminds me of grapefruit oil, Umami, horse manure, red cherry preserves, wild strawberry and white truffle. There is tremendous weight and tension in the mid-palate as flavors of black cherry, black truffle oil, Umami, Tangerine rind and strawberry jam. The weight, range, salinity and balance is exquisite. Only 302 cases produced of this seductive and delicious wine. Drink 2017-2027- 97

2014 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Syrah- Only 13.4% alcohol this inky colored wine begins with intense aromatics of white flowers, bulls blood, black truffle oil, and blueberry pastry. This has wonderful tension and minerality, showing black tea, bacon fat, black cherry, peat moss and blackberry cobbler. This has wonderful weight and texture, showing a long, dark fruit and mineral driven finish. Drink 2017-2027- 94

2014 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo- The wine was aged in 20% new French oak for 8 months prior to bottling. This warm vintage wine has an absolutely intoxicating nose. This deep hued wine begins with aromatics reminiscent of black truffle oil, Umami, blood orange, bulls blood, crushed white flowers and tar. This leads to rich flavors of black tea, black olive tapenade, milk chocolate shavings, orange rind and black cherry. The weight and tension is gorgeous, leading to an exceedingly long finish. This is up there wit the best new world Tempranillo bottlings out there. Drink 2017-2027- 95

2014 La Rata Red Wine- This compelling wine is a blend of 53% Grenache, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon as well as 13% Syrah. In this vintage some Syrah was chosen to be utilized by vignerronne, Elizabeth Bourcier, because she felt that Syrah added more backbone, structure and complexity in the wine. The wine was aged in third fill puncheons and stainless steel for 8 months prior to bottling. This translucent colored wine begins with aromatics reminiscent of sea salt, black truffle oil, pink grapefruit, smoked pork shoulder and Chinese black tea. The weight, tension and minerality of this wine is apparent, as is the salinity. Black tea, black olive, smoked pork shoulder, Tangerine zest and red cherry preserve flavors create a mouthwatering effect. The acidity is intense and makes savoring this wine highly gratifying. This is extremely difficult to put down, as you admire the novelty and complexity of the aromatics and flavors at play. Only 138 cases produced of this gorgeous wine. Drink 2017-2027- 95

2014 Horsepower ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache- The 2014 Horsepower ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache is a true heavyhitter by Cayuse Vineyards. Sourced from this high density vineyard, this wine has stunning aromatics. Poppori, white pepper, Umami, horse manure and blood orange rind. The aromas create a mouth watering experience that is hard to describe. The tension of this wine is unlike any other. Cherry starburst candy, Umami, blood orange, lemon oil, black truffle and white pepper. This wine makes you think about the stony terroir. Poised and downright delicious, this wine will cellar marvelously for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 98

2014 Horsepower ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Syrah-The vines from this high density vineyard were planted 3X3, as they have utilized draft horses to till the land. The wine was aged in neutral oak for 8 months prior to bottling. Green peppercorn, black olive tapenade, ash, smoked pork shoulder and Umami as well as citrus elements on the nose. The bouquet is intoxicating as is the purity of fruit on the palate. Hoisin sauce, black tea, Umami and black olive tapenade as well as blood orange show off this highly refined wine. This is another stunner by the superstar winemakers at Cayuse. Drink 2017-2027- 97

2014 Horsepower ‘The Tribe’ Vineyard’ Syrah- Sourced from a 3.2 acre vineyard, this wine begins with aromatics reminiscent of smoked brisket, black olive, wild boysenberry liquor and creosote. This has a wonderful freshness and intensity. This has ripe blackberry, black olive tapenade, smoked pork shoulder, bacon fat and creosote with blood orange flavors. This has wonderful intensity and balance, as well as mid-palate weight. While the stony element is more intense, the dark fruits shine through. This is another awesome effort by the superstar Cayuse team. Drink 2017-2027- 95

2014 Hors Categorie Red Wine- This stunning wine is sourced from the Hors Categorie Vineyard outside of Walla Walla which is steeply sloped. This vineyard is only two acres planted to Syrah. Having visited the vineyard, it is nearly impossible to climb to the top where vines are planted. This stunning Syrah was aged in neutral oak prior to bottling. This deep hued wine begins with aromatics of Umami, blood orange, red cherry starburst and horse manure. You are constantly brought back to the glass for more. The balance and purity of fruit is there. Mildly tannic this wine showcases a variety of red and dark fruits alongside green peppercorn, Umami, smoked bacon, Earl Grey tea and coffee ground flavors are gorgeous. The mouthfeel and weight of this wine is mind-numbing. This heavhitter will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2030- 99