Beautifully structured and nicely balanced. The tannins are fine and the overall balance between the tannins, acidity and astringency is harmonious. Plenty of cherry and blackberry fruit amply present, 16 years in. I'd expect it to continue to be lovely for at least the next five years.
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Quintessential Cayuse Armada. Several of our gang thought that this syrah had not even reached its full potential yet despite its age. Powerful stuff, 4 hour decant. Funk on the nose, as always.
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Color/App: deep, dark, slightly translucent ruby core -> reasonably dense ruby/garnet rim; medium+ viscosity. Tasted over the course of 4+ hours, I found this wine to be at it's aromatic peak in the first 90 minutes. Classic Northern Rhone Syrah bouquet of black fruit, olives in brine, roasted meat and blood, barnyard, iron and iodine and a pinch of white pepper. Full bodied, smooth, thick palate of blackberries, olive tapenade and a bit of soy and smoke. Delicious, lovely, long and still drinking perfectly (and probably for 5 more years). This could do quite well inserted as a ringer into a flight of Cornas or even Hermitage.
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(Cayuse Vineyards Armada Vineyard Syrah Bottle Sample Walla Walla Valley) Holy smokes! Full on black pepper along with violets and game on a nose that is significantly more evolved due to the extra year of bottle age. A persistent intensity on the palate with crazy game tastes. Rich without being fruity. 100% Syrah. 14.2% alcohol. To be released in 2010.
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11/23/2023 - wineguy75 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pnp. Clearly in the back part of the drinking window, should be best now and over the next several years.
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10/23/2023 - tskopfer Likes this wine: 96 Points
Beautifully structured and nicely balanced. The tannins are fine and the overall balance between the tannins, acidity and astringency is harmonious. Plenty of cherry and blackberry fruit amply present, 16 years in. I'd expect it to continue to be lovely for at least the next five years.
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7/5/2023 - RJWallis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Quintessential Cayuse Armada. Several of our gang thought that this syrah had not even reached its full potential yet despite its age. Powerful stuff, 4 hour decant. Funk on the nose, as always.
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5/13/2023 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 97 Points
My last bottle of this powerhouse. Takes a few hours to hit its stride but when it does it is concentrated and complex. Drink or hold.
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7/4/2022 - BVal Likes this wine: 95 Points
Last tasted 9/17; last bottle.
Color/App: deep, dark, slightly translucent ruby core -> reasonably dense ruby/garnet rim; medium+ viscosity. Tasted over the course of 4+ hours, I found this wine to be at it's aromatic peak in the first 90 minutes. Classic Northern Rhone Syrah bouquet of black fruit, olives in brine, roasted meat and blood, barnyard, iron and iodine and a pinch of white pepper. Full bodied, smooth, thick palate of blackberries, olive tapenade and a bit of soy and smoke. Delicious, lovely, long and still drinking perfectly (and probably for 5 more years). This could do quite well inserted as a ringer into a flight of Cornas or even Hermitage.
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