This drank very well. Its a great combination of Cab and rocks funk. Sometimes Cayuse can be overly funky but its good to know with some age it tempers it a bit and brings out secondary wood and spice notes.
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Nose of plum and Cayuse funk but not overly strong. The wine is integrated nicely. Iodine and dark fruit primarily. But the wine was elegant and sexy. Close to perfect harmony for me.
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PnP via Coravin, opened bottle two weeks later; notes are consistent. Silky smooth, tannins are fully integrated. This is unctuous, liquid silk on the palate. Savory dark fruit notes, receding "Rocks" character. Excellent now, I think that this will not get any better.
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The notes below are surprisingly consistent. My bottle, sourced from Winebid showed moderate bricking and also had mint on opening, some balsamic (strong acidity), as well as some mulled plum and blackberry fruit. Just a hint of rocks funk in this bottle, but it’s in check, and soft sweet tannins smooth out the finish. Lovely wine, and a drink now from my point of view
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Rocks, minerals, and sweet dark fruit. From start to finish, this was incredible. Juicy with subtle tannins and long finish. Some tobacco on the back end added to the joy
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Wine of the night (winning out over nice bottles from Corliss and Rasa). Big, juicy and ready for prime time. One hour decant. Rich mouthfeel, medium finish. Touches of leather and dark fruits.
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Decanted for 1 hour, had a glass. Let it breath for another hour and it only got better. Great balance and just enough funk let you know it is a Cayuse.
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Only our 2nd bottle of Cayuse (first was a 09 G.O.K. Grenache which didn't impress). This gets a point or two just for being so stylistically unique. Poured blind, there was no way I was going to peg this as a cab. At one point contemplated it being a Rioja from an unknown producer, but ultimately decided it was an old world GSM (heavy on the Mourvèdre). The famous funk is so distinctive I'm guessing one could go 5 years between bottles of Cayuse and still pick it ip instantly on a blind pour. It's also less "funky" than I expected. Assumed it would be more gamey, or bretty, but it has an underlying sweetness on the nose in addition to all the other notes already mentioned by others. Fun experience for sure.
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A great sip but not up to par with the '10. Got a little heat on the back end and a big dose of the funk on the front end. Dark cherries, dark berries, smoked meat, olive, green pepper, earth, and tobacco. Medium finish.
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I'm convinced that this was named "The Widowmaker" because my wife would (justifiably) kill me if she knew just how good this was. Of course, she won't know, giving me some sliver of hope at further longevity, because I drank every last drop, so she will be none the wiser. Unless she reads this, in which case I'm fecked.
Setting that aside, PnP, silky on the palate, with nicely integrated tannins. I'm not entirely convinced this is for the long term, but it's drinking beautifully now, showing excellent fruit notes, with some secondary hints of leather and wet slate. Absolutely lovely bottle at the moment.
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Yes, I popped one of these to share with the guys at a BBQ. It was darn good; a bit more subdued than I remember from previous tastings (admittedly barrel tastings). Cayuse funk layered over a Cabernet.
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Barrel sample. Crisp and clean cabernet. My friend Tim sometimes complains that the Widowmaker has too much funk in some vintages and that he only likes his cabernet "clean." Well Tim, here is your "clean" cabernet! Deep and dark nose of cassis, tobacco, fresh mint, and even some light toasty oak/smoke. Bright black cherry and black raspberry fruit in the mouth. Full-bodied with a good dose of tannins that balance nicely with the fruit. A classic Cayuse cabernet! 94-96 pts.
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Such a young wine. Nose of dark fruit and spice, very heavy vineyard. Not my favorite of Cayuse, but went well with shropshire blue cheese. Tannic and acidic.
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barrel sample at release party; Deep dark cherries, tobacco, eucalyptus, menthol, light smoke, earthy leaves, and pine/forest floor. Light funk on the finish. A clean, fresh, beautiful wine with a long finish. Some tannins kicking but with that velvety Cayuse mouthfeel.
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darker in character and with a bit more obvious oak next to the Camaspelo tasted prior. The flavors seemed more intense as well, with a strong cherry richness to it. Nice heft and balance, we preferred it to the Camaspelo.
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Barrel sample at Private Release Weekend. Jared is right, this is my kind of Widowmaker! This is right up there with the 02 and 04 vintages that highlight the beautiful dark cherry and blackberry flavors while remaining funk-free! It's not that this wine isn't complex either, as it had a nice minty/eucalyptus note along with some smokey spice. I loved this wine, and it was my second favorite of the day only to the 09 Bionic Frog. I have to say that it's really nice to taste a Widowmaker and not have to wonder what it could be like without so much funk on it. I love the funk on the Cayuse Syrahs, but funky Cabernet isn't nearly as fun for me. I still have no idea why the Widowmaker is so funky in some vintages and then not in others. I don't believe that it has to do with vine age as the 02 and 04 weren't funky at all, and the 07 was overloaded with the funk.
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9/4/2023 - Nbkat8 wrote: 96 Points
This drank very well. Its a great combination of Cab and rocks funk. Sometimes Cayuse can be overly funky but its good to know with some age it tempers it a bit and brings out secondary wood and spice notes.
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1/15/2023 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 97 Points
Nose of plum and Cayuse funk but not overly strong. The wine is integrated nicely. Iodine and dark fruit primarily. But the wine was elegant and sexy. Close to perfect harmony for me.
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8/10/2022 - Goofienewfy Likes this wine: 94 Points
This wine is simply outstanding. Nose is smoke, leather and a bit of funk. Taste is dry, plum, some tannin and finish lingers.
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12/24/2020 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
PnP via Coravin, opened bottle two weeks later; notes are consistent. Silky smooth, tannins are fully integrated. This is unctuous, liquid silk on the palate. Savory dark fruit notes, receding "Rocks" character. Excellent now, I think that this will not get any better.
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1/23/2020 - jviz wrote: 94 Points
The notes below are surprisingly consistent. My bottle, sourced from Winebid showed moderate bricking and also had mint on opening, some balsamic (strong acidity), as well as some mulled plum and blackberry fruit. Just a hint of rocks funk in this bottle, but it’s in check, and soft sweet tannins smooth out the finish. Lovely wine, and a drink now from my point of view
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7/6/2019 - mlawren1 wrote: 94 Points
Deep, dark and brooding. Cherries, plums and currants. Finishes with a touch of iron and earth.
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11/21/2018 - bablues wrote: 95 Points
Rocks, minerals, and sweet dark fruit. From start to finish, this was incredible. Juicy with subtle tannins and long finish. Some tobacco on the back end added to the joy
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11/11/2018 - RJWallis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine of the night (winning out over nice bottles from Corliss and Rasa). Big, juicy and ready for prime time. One hour decant. Rich mouthfeel, medium finish. Touches of leather and dark fruits.
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8/17/2018 - mlawren1 wrote: 94 Points
Deep rich currants, blackberries and cherries. Powerful and rich with years to go.
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3/19/2017 - rbucklar Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 1 hour, had a glass. Let it breath for another hour and it only got better. Great balance and just enough funk let you know it is a Cayuse.
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1/16/2016 - peterk Likes this wine: 94 Points
PJHR is spot=on. Dark fruit, earth and silk. What a gorgeous wine!
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12/25/2015 - millerarner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Only our 2nd bottle of Cayuse (first was a 09 G.O.K. Grenache which didn't impress). This gets a point or two just for being so stylistically unique. Poured blind, there was no way I was going to peg this as a cab. At one point contemplated it being a Rioja from an unknown producer, but ultimately decided it was an old world GSM (heavy on the Mourvèdre). The famous funk is so distinctive I'm guessing one could go 5 years between bottles of Cayuse and still pick it ip instantly on a blind pour. It's also less "funky" than I expected. Assumed it would be more gamey, or bretty, but it has an underlying sweetness on the nose in addition to all the other notes already mentioned by others. Fun experience for sure.
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11/15/2015 - Hawtdawg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hours at the poker gathering with the boys. Had that funk you'ld expect from a Cayuse. Nice balance
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6/20/2015 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark fruits, earth, and a bit of Cayuse funk on the nose and silky palate with soft tannins on the finish.
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9/22/2014 - Vinsant wrote:
A great sip but not up to par with the '10. Got a little heat on the back end and a big dose of the funk on the front end. Dark cherries, dark berries, smoked meat, olive, green pepper, earth, and tobacco. Medium finish.
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8/29/2014 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
I'm convinced that this was named "The Widowmaker" because my wife would (justifiably) kill me if she knew just how good this was. Of course, she won't know, giving me some sliver of hope at further longevity, because I drank every last drop, so she will be none the wiser. Unless she reads this, in which case I'm fecked.
Setting that aside, PnP, silky on the palate, with nicely integrated tannins. I'm not entirely convinced this is for the long term, but it's drinking beautifully now, showing excellent fruit notes, with some secondary hints of leather and wet slate. Absolutely lovely bottle at the moment.
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8/24/2013 - sinebubble wrote:
Yes, I popped one of these to share with the guys at a BBQ. It was darn good; a bit more subdued than I remember from previous tastings (admittedly barrel tastings). Cayuse funk layered over a Cabernet.
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4/30/2011 - Jared wrote:
Barrel sample. Crisp and clean cabernet. My friend Tim sometimes complains that the Widowmaker has too much funk in some vintages and that he only likes his cabernet "clean." Well Tim, here is your "clean" cabernet! Deep and dark nose of cassis, tobacco, fresh mint, and even some light toasty oak/smoke. Bright black cherry and black raspberry fruit in the mouth. Full-bodied with a good dose of tannins that balance nicely with the fruit. A classic Cayuse cabernet! 94-96 pts.
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4/18/2011 - rosesandthorns wrote: 92 Points
Such a young wine. Nose of dark fruit and spice, very heavy vineyard. Not my favorite of Cayuse, but went well with shropshire blue cheese. Tannic and acidic.
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4/10/2011 - Vinsant wrote:
barrel sample at release party; Deep dark cherries, tobacco, eucalyptus, menthol, light smoke, earthy leaves, and pine/forest floor. Light funk on the finish. A clean, fresh, beautiful wine with a long finish. Some tannins kicking but with that velvety Cayuse mouthfeel.
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4/10/2011 - tarheel17 wrote:
darker in character and with a bit more obvious oak next to the Camaspelo tasted prior. The flavors seemed more intense as well, with a strong cherry richness to it. Nice heft and balance, we preferred it to the Camaspelo.
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4/9/2011 - last chance wrote:
Barrel sample at Private Release Weekend. Jared is right, this is my kind of Widowmaker! This is right up there with the 02 and 04 vintages that highlight the beautiful dark cherry and blackberry flavors while remaining funk-free! It's not that this wine isn't complex either, as it had a nice minty/eucalyptus note along with some smokey spice. I loved this wine, and it was my second favorite of the day only to the 09 Bionic Frog. I have to say that it's really nice to taste a Widowmaker and not have to wonder what it could be like without so much funk on it. I love the funk on the Cayuse Syrahs, but funky Cabernet isn't nearly as fun for me. I still have no idea why the Widowmaker is so funky in some vintages and then not in others. I don't believe that it has to do with vine age as the 02 and 04 weren't funky at all, and the 07 was overloaded with the funk.
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4/9/2011 - bajayngo wrote:
quick 2011 release note - Menthol, dark berries, tobacco, smoke, saline mouthfeel and a spicy finish. Good acids and a hit of cherries.
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4/9/2011 - manonthemoon wrote: 96 Points
WA Tasting trip Day 2: Cayuse, Gramercy, Spring Valley, More Cayuse?? and Jim German; 4/9/2011-4/12/2011 (Walla Walla, WA): Nose was strong with blueberry, mint, tobacco.
Palate of black cherry, blueberry, mint, tobacco, spice.
Finish was Long, really high acidity, clean and focused.
Our favorite of the tasting.95-97
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