Cayuse Syrah is always a treat, and En Chamberlin delivers the goods. I get a slightly more conventional flavor profile from this vineyard than I do from, say, Armada--which is like a radio station devoted to George Clinton projects (all funk, all the time)--but it's only comparatively "conventional". This is beautifully risky juice, and very savory.
I taste the classic vegetal funk I've come to know and love from Christophe, along with tobacco, anise (almost absinthe-y), and dripping meat fat. All the flavors seem to have been toasted over an open flame--or maybe rescued from a burning barn. The nose is like a goddamn barbecue, in fact.
Ripe plum after about an hour, with some other fun fruits in there. (Charcoal-blackened peach? It's wild.) Less olive than I'm used to from Cayuse Syrah, but this is young--and the olive IS there, shyly, toward the finish. Beautiful stone-like hints after everything becomes serene. Excited to drink another of this vintage in 3-5 years.
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PNP. Was showing off different styles of wine to a friend. 2010 Uccellierra Brunello Riserva, 1990 Lagrange St. Julien. 2019 Cayuse En Chamberlin. Quite an eclectic group! The Lagrange was the star, followed by the Uccellierra, Cayuse was dissappointing. This was closed and surprisingly thin. Improved a bit over time, but really underwhelming. I have generally like Cayuse Syrahs - this was disappointing. To be fair, it's probably not at a stage where PNP will show it's best stuff.
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Smoked meats, tar, iron, marinated mushroom, and strong herbaceous character. Full-bodied and super concentrated. I cannot rate this in good conscience, however. I possess a gene for bitter “super-tasting” and this wine just sets my tongue on fire and activates all the bitter receptors, as if I were drinking Campari neat. Nobody else had that reaction, so it’s clearly a “me problem”.
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Beautifully perfumed. One of the finer Cayuse I've opened recently. Not the usual smack in the face brawn you get from some young Cayuse bottlings. This had a touch of femininity to it.
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Deep, dark purple-garnet & almost opaque in color. Initially reticent but eventually developing into full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of spice notes of pepper, floral & earthy/dusty notes, mushrooms, herbs, iron, some tar, minerals & oak/vanilla notes. Full bodied with a very good concentration of balanced & semi-smooth textured, dense, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with spices, some bittersweet cocoa, herbs, mushrooms, minerals & a good measure of oak/vanilla. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well with decanting and extended airing, but will may benefit from much needed additional aging at which time it may score higher.
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11/4/2023 - jonnysandwich Likes this wine: 94 Points
Cayuse Syrah is always a treat, and En Chamberlin delivers the goods. I get a slightly more conventional flavor profile from this vineyard than I do from, say, Armada--which is like a radio station devoted to George Clinton projects (all funk, all the time)--but it's only comparatively "conventional". This is beautifully risky juice, and very savory.
I taste the classic vegetal funk I've come to know and love from Christophe, along with tobacco, anise (almost absinthe-y), and dripping meat fat. All the flavors seem to have been toasted over an open flame--or maybe rescued from a burning barn. The nose is like a goddamn barbecue, in fact.
Ripe plum after about an hour, with some other fun fruits in there. (Charcoal-blackened peach? It's wild.) Less olive than I'm used to from Cayuse Syrah, but this is young--and the olive IS there, shyly, toward the finish. Beautiful stone-like hints after everything becomes serene. Excited to drink another of this vintage in 3-5 years.
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10/31/2023 - MuddyBear wrote: 87 Points
PNP. Was showing off different styles of wine to a friend. 2010 Uccellierra Brunello Riserva, 1990 Lagrange St. Julien. 2019 Cayuse En Chamberlin. Quite an eclectic group! The Lagrange was the star, followed by the Uccellierra, Cayuse was dissappointing. This was closed and surprisingly thin. Improved a bit over time, but really underwhelming. I have generally like Cayuse Syrahs - this was disappointing. To be fair, it's probably not at a stage where PNP will show it's best stuff.
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9/22/2023 - Nati Winos Likes this wine:
Meaty
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2/19/2023 - cshouston Does not like this wine:
Smoked meats, tar, iron, marinated mushroom, and strong herbaceous character. Full-bodied and super concentrated. I cannot rate this in good conscience, however. I possess a gene for bitter “super-tasting” and this wine just sets my tongue on fire and activates all the bitter receptors, as if I were drinking Campari neat. Nobody else had that reaction, so it’s clearly a “me problem”.
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11/20/2022 - Ilikadajuice Likes this wine: 95 Points
Good stuff in a nice drinking window. Layered with long finish.
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8/12/2022 - rylanreynolds wrote: 96 Points
Liquid stones burst from the glass in the Washington state rendition of CDP. Awesome wine
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8/1/2022 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautifully perfumed. One of the finer Cayuse I've opened recently. Not the usual smack in the face brawn you get from some young Cayuse bottlings. This had a touch of femininity to it.
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11/7/2021 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep, dark purple-garnet & almost opaque in color. Initially reticent but eventually developing into full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with overtones of spice notes of pepper, floral & earthy/dusty notes, mushrooms, herbs, iron, some tar, minerals & oak/vanilla notes. Full bodied with a very good concentration of balanced & semi-smooth textured, dense, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackberries & plums with spices, some bittersweet cocoa, herbs, mushrooms, minerals & a good measure of oak/vanilla. Lingering finish. Drinks quite well with decanting and extended airing, but will may benefit from much needed additional aging at which time it may score higher.
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