January 8, 2023 - Black fruits and earthy.
October 24, 2021 - Was a bit tight on opening but shortly later the fruit came thru. very good wine
August 17, 2021 - Quick double decant to get the wine off the sediment. Medium rusty red in the glass. Nose of riped/cooked fruit, strawberry, soy sauce, brine, dried herbs. On the palate, very silky, medium weight, mature fruit, soy sauce, dusty fruit. Long finish of heat, slight tannin, very savory, tart fruit.
The best I can do to sum it up is this tastes like Thanksgiving dinner leftovers, when everything mixes together to create the best bite you've ever had.
In a great place right now. Still fresh and luscious but well integrated with secondary characteristics complimenting things.
January 10, 2021 - Decanted 90 min. This bottle was absolutely singing! Nice Rocks Funk, with blackberry, leather, espresso, tar, and a dark chocolate and coffee finish. VERY impressed, as I thought this would be on it's last legs in 2020. Not so! Drinking strong on day 2 as well, so I think this has some time left. Drink now - 2025? Maybe even longer...
February 28, 2020 - Drank over two nights, this really needs a long decant to resolve the sulfur and funkiness. Patience was rewarded. Nice black fruits, tobacco, subtle earthiness bright acidity.
January 24, 2020 - Very earthy, musty notes initially, but funk dissipated after breathing for a couple hours. Medium red color. Luscious blue fruit coats and envelops the palate in rare fashion, amazingly elegant, refined texture. Soft, round tannins, medium acid. Wine is absolutely singing right now, best wine we've had in a few months. Recommend decanting 2+ hours. Drink within 2-3 years.
April 9, 2018 - Please also see yesterday's note. I Vacuvined this and kept it overnight at room temperature and not refrigerated and retasted it tonight. If you don't like the funkiness of Cayuse inspired wines it markedly softens and almost disappears with time. With the additional time it seems to become more dark fruit oriented, soft tannins, gorgeous balance and wonderful depth.
April 8, 2018 - Red purple but light in color compared to many Syrahs. Nose of black peppercorns, sage, Eucalyptus and star anise. Smells like its Cayuse origin. Bramble, black olive, tobacco leaf , bacon fat, and grilled beef, and finishes with a hint of chocolate, tobacco, licorice and vanilla. Soft mature tannins. Lots going on but still light on its feet. Had with grilled burgers.
December 11, 2017 - Pop & pour at RingSide Steakhouse for "Man Meat Night". An appropriate wine for "boys night" ;) Typical Cayuse/Rocks funk on the nose, plum and blackberry fruit, saddle leather and espresso. The wine had a touch of port, likely due to the hot 2009 vintage, but it added to the flavor instead of made it less enjoyable. Drink now - 2020+.
November 25, 2017 - Typical Cayuse funk on the nose, drinking beautifully now. 2 hour decant. Lush dark berries and a touch of leather on the palette. Nice lingering finish.