February 10, 2024 - This was a weird wine. I don’t think the Rocks funk really fits the Bordeaux varieties well, at least not in this style (and I’m a typical Rocks stan). The salinity made it feel like the structure one would expect on top of a fruit profile like this was almost inverted, in a way that was thought-provoking but ultimately a bit disappointing. Worth a try but I definitely overpaid for this. Maybe stick to Rocks syrah.
October 30, 2023 - Elegant and complex with a touch of funk. Some reductive characteristics at first but quickly blew off.
Fruit, spice, and wood are all well balanced on both nose and palate. Barrel characteristics are particularly well executed although a slight green / stem note is a minor drawback for this style. Attractive tertiary characteristics are starting to emerge and the tannin is almost perfectly integrated. The medium body and bright acidity create a welcome deftness although it may be teetering on the edge of decline. Intensity and length are still good. Drink now or within the next few years.
October 21, 2023 - As a die-hard fan of the Rocks funk, the profile of these wines are totally up my alley. That being said, even I admit that these desperately need food to be at their best. This was no different.
Followed over two days. Two hr double decant day one.
60/30/10 cab/merlot/Tempranillo. Up front, signature Cayuse funk (iron, savory whole cluster herbal profile). Tempranillo really shining. Nothing BDX about this. Thin, spicy, peppery. Black cherry but mostly underripe with a metallic finish.
Day two, I paired this with food (grilled chicken and beef) and this wine transformed in to a totally different wine. Much more heft and core of sweet, ripe fruit. Like a cool vintage left bank Bordeaux but without Brett. Floral, soft pipe tobacco, dark fruits, fig. The overly savory vibe of day one is non-existent on day two.
Perfect example of a wine that simply needs time to evolve for those who find the Cayuse funk too intense (I don’t mind it, but also appreciate it as a layer, not a main player in a wine).
August 16, 2021 - Delicious black cherry fruit, soft and round, excellent structure, surprisingly only a hint of Walla Walla funk, ample finish,
June 1, 2021 - Consumed over 2 days. Very ripe. I thought knowing the region/producer, it would have a little more funk or minerality. Instead, you have a primary dark fruit melange with fine vanilla. tannins, It's not overly sweet, but neither is it savory enough to resemble a typical left bank blend. Hard to find much info, but I believe this vintage is roughly 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% tempranillo. Good, but not a re-buy for me. The flying pig was a much better wine for my palate.
May 31, 2021 - Tasting blind on day 2. Thought this was new new Rhone initially. Very ripe, smooth, dark fruited with a bit of green pepper. Fruit is a bit flamboyant and forward. Simple finish.
October 3, 2020 - Had a glass via Coravin a week ago and first reaction was strong funk and minerality. Opened the bottle this week and give it 4 hours in the decanter. That helped a lot. Still some classic Cayuse crushed wet stones. Mint and herbal notes. White pepper, cassis and sweet pipe tobacco.
May 24, 2020 - Soft, flunky black cherry flavors
August 27, 2019 - Pleasantly opened bouquet, scents of wild flowers, spiced box, mixed berries and fresh herbs, fruit-forward, but nothing close to sweet or cloying, in fact this carries on effortlessly, with wild berry, ginger, strawberry and raspberry jam flavors, quite easy to drink, I think this is drinking well now, with some upside, had with a delicious tomahawk steak
May 2, 2019 - Really nice aromatics on the pop and pour and the palate was quite nice also. Smooth as silk and quite long.
Not sure how this will age but it was certainly nice young.