Sometimes when I find a wine so incredibly pensive and moving, I simply have to feature that single wine. Much of the world has fallen in love with the Syrah wines by Cayuse Vineyard and eminent vigneron, Christophe Baron. Together with his uber-talented vigneronne, Elizabeth Bourcier, they have been consistently crafting some of the most compelling wines on the West Coast.
For the past three years the Cayuse ‘Edith’ Rose has been tied for the top performing Rose in my Pacific Northwest Rose Report. The wine is a very carefully crafted Rose, with incredible nuance. Christophe has spoken to me at length about how the top Rose wines of Provence (Domaine Ott, Domaine Tempier, etc.) have inspired him in creating his own Rose.
Those who know me well understand that I am crazy for top notch Rose regardless of region. While some of my colleagues may disagree, I feel strongly that there is something about a great Rose wine with intention that really inspires. At its best it is a highly complex wine that stands with any great wine of its kind. The ‘Edith’ Rose is sourced from the ‘Armada Vineyard’ which is set on massive cobblestones. At this site Christophe has two rows of vines which are farmed at a mere two tons per acre. His Rose is usually very low alcohol, sometimes nearing 12%. The combination of weight, tension, and mouthfeel is consistently incredible. I feel that his 2018 Rose is amongst the best that I have ever tried. And no further adieu, I give you my tasting notes from the 2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Edith’ Rose.
2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Edith’ Rose- The 2018 ‘Edith’ Rose is a highly refreshing and gratifying new wine that is amongst the best of its kind in North America. Sourced from the ‘Armada Vineyard’, once on the nose this takes on pretty red rose petals that mingle with cantaloupe and wet stone and smoky tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is wonderfully fresh and vibrant with great acidity and a seamless texture. Layers of Gravenstein apple, watermelon, nectarine and kumquat zest collide with minerals and smoky undertones on this complex palate. As the wine warms up, it becomes even more nuanced and complex, still showing wonderful mouth-watering acidity. Scintillating in its youth, this stunning new Rose will enjoy another eight plus years of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2028- 94