Decanted 45 minutes. Translucent ruby purple. Impressive red fruit purity on the attack and midpalate, with well-integrated darker notes on the finish. Another fine showing for an underrated Cayuse cab. Should hold at this level for 5+ years.
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Bought as a late release from Cayuse. Seepage up the cork 2/3 the length. Ruby red color. Loads of dried blueberry, leather, a little funk, dark chocolate, and rhubarb. Balanced.
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Drinking very well. This is a dark concentrated beast of a blend. Nose harkens Cab Franc but tastes savory can and finishes merlot. The concentration is incredible. A little Cayuse funk up front to say what’s up but this faded in a half hr. Great wine.
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First of 2 ($71@) from a recent auction purchase. On the nose and palate, powerful, especially on the nose, notes of black raspberry coulis, red raspberries, red cherries, red and black currants, figs, smoked meats, rocky minerality, earth, sage, dill, funk (not as much for me as others, and integrated quickly), dark florals, leafiness, Kalamata olives and smoked cedar chips. Dark brownish purple, light to medium bodied, medium to thick legs. Intense acidity off the pour which balances and mostly integrates with air, medium+ tannins, and not a hint of heat with a low 13.5% abv. Excellent complexity, VG+ intensity, VG persistence. Other than a couple of tastes of a couple of Rhône cuvées from this producer some time ago, my first Cayuse, and it was striking. If I had doubts, this shows me yet again that I’m not ready for the master somm exam—whether I’m ready for *any* somm exam might be a better question, as I’d have guessed the composition as 1) a CF dominant blend (at 84% CS and 16% merlot, there’s not a trace of that varietal here) because of the greenness and herbality, 2) a cool climate Rhône, from the figs, olives, smoked meats and raspberry notes, 3) some kind of offbeat Pinot, like a Rhys, from its steminess, all well before the actual composition of this wine. Lithe, light footed, and lifted, especially with the electricity off the pour, the big fruit, big alcohol, vanillin, chocolate, oak and anise Cab crowd probably wouldn’t know what to make of this and would give it a score I’d have been afraid to bring home to my parents many moons ago. But on the other hand, this doesn’t feel like anything I’ve had from BDX, Tuscany or even other WA producers like QC, Andrew Will, Corliss or Force Majeure, making this a wine geek wine par excellence. For this aspiring wine geek, it was highly interesting and enjoyable, although copping to some sympathy for the modern Cab crowd, for my more regular fare, I do like some of those more traditional CA cab notes and concentration and would more often choose a wine that’s highly enjoyable and interesting rather the alternative. I actually liked it slightly better out of the bottle, where the acidity first shocked then provided a wonderful charge, but air balanced out and mostly integrated the elements. Likewise, I liked this wine as a sipper, and with the melange of food that passed through sfwl’s kitchen over 2 nights, it was a great success with the stuffed poblanos, especially with the goat cheese stuffing, a very good complement with mixed grill, especially a spicy andouille and the veggies, but just so-so with spaghetti and meatballs. Where is this wine in its life cycle? As someone who hasn’t had this cuvée, let alone this vintage before, beats me, but I like the way it’s drinking now, and while the dial down of the acidity could bring out more fruit, it seems equally likely that it could just flatten out. I won’t be drinking my second bottle tomorrow, next week or next month, but I likely will in the next year or 2. Compelling at what I paid for it but less so at retail of solidly north of $100+, it’s not a qpr superstar like the Wills or the Corliss or a superstar, full stop, like QC, but for those interested in something different and well-made, recommended, and doing nothing to dent my increasing infatuation with WA’s viniculture. 93+
Super concentrated and bold dark fruit. I am hoping that this mellows with some additional cellar time. If I had tasted this blind I would have guessed Rhone blend. Drink or hold.
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Dark and opaque. Pure cabernet and merlot aromas, none of the typical smoke and roasted meat aromas typical of the Cayuse syrahs. Medium-full body, cassis and oak flavors, very round and smooth. No significant tannin. Fully mature, will easily last several more years. Ric
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I had two bottles of this and didn’t like either one. Very light body, lacks complexity and almost drinks more like a Pinot Noir rather than a Cabernet.
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It was our first cayuse in recent memory. And possibly our first ever non-Syrah Cayuse. I drank this Friday with a filet roast, and though I was expecting a funky meatiness, it did not surface (we only gave had an hour before reaching the bottom of the decanter, so perhaps just not enough time for it to show its best. That said quite good varietal representation with blackberry fruit, chips of cedar, and a flake of graphite. With those three came a nice bouquet of violet. Exhibited well-integrated tannins with an excellent finish. 91 now, and will improve over the next few years.
Decanted for an hour, consumed over two nights. The first night it had a light funk to it. Just enough to make it different, not enough to be off putting. The second night it had faded a bit and was better. I think this will age well.
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Sadly the funk did not blow off after decanting. Cassis, blackberry, charcuterie, iron, cedar, graphite and violets. Medium-high acidity; silky tannins are well integrated. Slightly bitter finish. Good structure and excellent depth of fruit, but more acidity and funk than I care for.
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This needed a couple hours to open up. It eventually became very enjoyable. Great texture and length. Has a typical Cayuse bold intro but this has a very delicate fruit finish.
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I'm making this note with only seeing the community average of 88.5 , which is too low. This wine is fantastic, not traditional cab or Bordeaux notes, particularly on the nose. Fragrant, Huge cayuse funk and mushroom on the nose, but more typical cab notes on the palate. Medium-long finish. Still more sweet than a Napa cab, and you can taste the walla walla. Very solid wine.
The two user reviews are certainly in contrast to professional reviews of this wine. I get that it might not be your taste, but it isn't an 85 point wine. It is too well made and long lived to bean 85 point wine.
Cherry, sage, black olive tapenade ... idefintely taste some of the terroir coming through that is not my usual Cab experience. Smooth tannins and a medium finish.
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2 hr decant nose - stemmy mouth - juicy plum and red fruits, with a hint of some darker red fruit, quite clean and pure, acidity more so than tannin is what provides the frame. The nicely done and rather simple, and not at all what I would expect from cayuse. Maybe its get better with age? But i doubt it.
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12/3/2023 - SnobNouveau Likes this wine: 93 Points
Funky lovely punch. 1 hour decant
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11/19/2023 - Magnolian Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted 45 minutes. Translucent ruby purple. Impressive red fruit purity on the attack and midpalate, with well-integrated darker notes on the finish. Another fine showing for an underrated Cayuse cab. Should hold at this level for 5+ years.
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11/2/2023 - Jake112380 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Concentrated blue fruit, fig, and a bit of funk on the nose. Similar flavors. Medium body, medium finish. Quite nice.
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6/10/2023 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bought as a late release from Cayuse.
Seepage up the cork 2/3 the length.
Ruby red color.
Loads of dried blueberry, leather, a little funk, dark chocolate, and rhubarb.
Balanced.
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4/11/2023 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking very well. This is a dark concentrated beast of a blend. Nose harkens Cab Franc but tastes savory can and finishes merlot. The concentration is incredible. A little Cayuse funk up front to say what’s up but this faded in a half hr. Great wine.
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9/19/2022 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
First of 2 ($71@) from a recent auction purchase. On the nose and palate, powerful, especially on the nose, notes of black raspberry coulis, red raspberries, red cherries, red and black currants, figs, smoked meats, rocky minerality, earth, sage, dill, funk (not as much for me as others, and integrated quickly), dark florals, leafiness, Kalamata olives and smoked cedar chips. Dark brownish purple, light to medium bodied, medium to thick legs. Intense acidity off the pour which balances and mostly integrates with air, medium+ tannins, and not a hint of heat with a low 13.5% abv. Excellent complexity, VG+ intensity, VG persistence. Other than a couple of tastes of a couple of Rhône cuvées from this producer some time ago, my first Cayuse, and it was striking. If I had doubts, this shows me yet again that I’m not ready for the master somm exam—whether I’m ready for *any* somm exam might be a better question, as I’d have guessed the composition as 1) a CF dominant blend (at 84% CS and 16% merlot, there’s not a trace of that varietal here) because of the greenness and herbality, 2) a cool climate Rhône, from the figs, olives, smoked meats and raspberry notes, 3) some kind of offbeat Pinot, like a Rhys, from its steminess, all well before the actual composition of this wine. Lithe, light footed, and lifted, especially with the electricity off the pour, the big fruit, big alcohol, vanillin, chocolate, oak and anise Cab crowd probably wouldn’t know what to make of this and would give it a score I’d have been afraid to bring home to my parents many moons ago. But on the other hand, this doesn’t feel like anything I’ve had from BDX, Tuscany or even other WA producers like QC, Andrew Will, Corliss or Force Majeure, making this a wine geek wine par excellence. For this aspiring wine geek, it was highly interesting and enjoyable, although copping to some sympathy for the modern Cab crowd, for my more regular fare, I do like some of those more traditional CA cab notes and concentration and would more often choose a wine that’s highly enjoyable and interesting rather the alternative. I actually liked it slightly better out of the bottle, where the acidity first shocked then provided a wonderful charge, but air balanced out and mostly integrated the elements. Likewise, I liked this wine as a sipper, and with the melange of food that passed through sfwl’s kitchen over 2 nights, it was a great success with the stuffed poblanos, especially with the goat cheese stuffing, a very good complement with mixed grill, especially a spicy andouille and the veggies, but just so-so with spaghetti and meatballs. Where is this wine in its life cycle? As someone who hasn’t had this cuvée, let alone this vintage before, beats me, but I like the way it’s drinking now, and while the dial down of the acidity could bring out more fruit, it seems equally likely that it could just flatten out. I won’t be drinking my second bottle tomorrow, next week or next month, but I likely will in the next year or 2. Compelling at what I paid for it but less so at retail of solidly north of $100+, it’s not a qpr superstar like the Wills or the Corliss or a superstar, full stop, like QC, but for those interested in something different and well-made, recommended, and doing nothing to dent my increasing infatuation with WA’s viniculture. 93+
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9/12/2022 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 90 Points
Super concentrated and bold dark fruit. I am hoping that this mellows with some additional cellar time. If I had tasted this blind I would have guessed Rhone blend. Drink or hold.
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5/8/2022 - benny wrote: 93 Points
A Cayuse signature style. Much better than last bottle.
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12/14/2021 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark and opaque. Pure cabernet and merlot aromas, none of the typical smoke and roasted meat aromas typical of the Cayuse syrahs. Medium-full body, cassis and oak flavors, very round and smooth. No significant tannin. Fully mature, will easily last several more years.
Ric
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3/27/2021 - dthrash111 Does not like this wine:
I had two bottles of this and didn’t like either one. Very light body, lacks complexity and almost drinks more like a Pinot Noir rather than a Cabernet.
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1/29/2021 - VinoGeeko wrote: 91 Points
It was our first cayuse in recent memory. And possibly our first ever non-Syrah Cayuse. I drank this Friday with a filet roast, and though I was expecting a funky meatiness, it did not surface (we only gave had an hour before reaching the bottom of the decanter, so perhaps just not enough time for it to show its best. That said quite good varietal representation with blackberry fruit, chips of cedar, and a flake of graphite. With those three came a nice bouquet of violet. Exhibited well-integrated tannins with an excellent finish. 91 now, and will improve over the next few years.
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9/18/2020 - benny wrote:
Major disappointment. Started with a funk and after 2 -3 hours better but not with it. Either needs 5 more years or is not the wine I paid for.
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7/12/2020 - Mtpisgah Likes this wine:
Decanted for an hour, consumed over two nights. The first night it had a light funk to it. Just enough to make it different, not enough to be off putting. The second night it had faded a bit and was better. I think this will age well.
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5/16/2020 - mlawren1 wrote: 93 Points
Drinking well, smooth and silky with currants, berries and a bit of green pepper underneath. Finishes with a hint of tobacco
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12/27/2019 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious plum, black olive, floral and cayuse funk notes on the nose and silky palate with long smooth finish.
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9/27/2019 - Portland Seth Likes this wine: 91 Points
Sadly the funk did not blow off after decanting. Cassis, blackberry, charcuterie, iron, cedar, graphite and violets. Medium-high acidity; silky tannins are well integrated. Slightly bitter finish. Good structure and excellent depth of fruit, but more acidity and funk than I care for.
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6/11/2019 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious as the last bottle!
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3/10/2019 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious plum, black olive, floral and cayuse funk notes on the nose and silky palate with long smooth finish.
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10/24/2018 - rpenn77 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Classic Bordeaux blend Left Bank style wine
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9/28/2018 - dafmd Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP: purple ruby, tight nose some jam, medium body, some minerality
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7/29/2018 - Stevethebeav Likes this wine: 91 Points
This needed a couple hours to open up. It eventually became very enjoyable. Great texture and length. Has a typical Cayuse bold intro but this has a very delicate fruit finish.
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3/11/2018 - Radboy wrote: 92 Points
Fresh fruit, nice balance and finish. Will probably improve a bit near term.
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10/21/2017 - mebarry Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent wine - drinking really nice right now. Balanced flavors of dark berries with lasting finish.
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10/12/2017 - jonleerhp Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really solid blend. PNP and drank great from the start. Fleshy plump red fruits with a balanced mouthfeel and smooth finish
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5/26/2017 - Wine G Likes this wine: 92 Points
I'm making this note with only seeing the community average of 88.5 , which is too low. This wine is fantastic, not traditional cab or Bordeaux notes, particularly on the nose. Fragrant, Huge cayuse funk and mushroom on the nose, but more typical cab notes on the palate. Medium-long finish. Still more sweet than a Napa cab, and you can taste the walla walla. Very solid wine.
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10/18/2016 - brianngibson wrote: 92 Points
The two user reviews are certainly in contrast to professional reviews of this wine. I get that it might not be your taste, but it isn't an 85 point wine. It is too well made and long lived to bean 85 point wine.
Cherry, sage, black olive tapenade ... idefintely taste some of the terroir coming through that is not my usual Cab experience. Smooth tannins and a medium finish.
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6/6/2016 - cepageyakima wrote: 85 Points
stink in a bottle
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1/23/2016 - soyhead wrote:
2 hr decant
nose - stemmy
mouth - juicy plum and red fruits, with a hint of some darker red fruit, quite clean and pure, acidity more so than tannin is what provides the frame. The nicely done and rather simple, and not at all what I would expect from cayuse. Maybe its get better with age? But i doubt it.
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