Cayuse Cailloux Syrah 2003
Syrah/Shiraz
from Walla Walla Valley, Washington
winemaker's notes:
One of the most exciting, small production Syrah's made in America, here's your chance to try a bottle before this year's allocation is gone. Always highly rated (the 2002 got a 94 from Wine Spectator) and one of our favorite red wines from anywhere. Very limited!
Cote-Rotie anyone? From a 10 acre vineyard planted in 1997 (5 acres are Syrah) - this is one of Christophe's most famous vineyards - planted on old riverbed rock. Stylistically, this is bold, exhuberant Syrah - very similar to a northern Rhone Cote-Rotie. Blackberry, black pepper, a hint of olive, with a long, pure finish - dynamite!
"Full, deep red. Musky, raw syrah aromas of pepper, espresso, roasted herbs and crunchy berries. Sweet, rich, creamy and sexy, with a distinctly French texture. Still a bit reduced but already quite expressive, in the style of the vintage. Finishes with very suave tannins and excellent length. With 24 hours in the recorked bottle, this showed captivating aromas of raspberry, smoke and underbrush and a silkiness of texture that reminded me of a big Burgundy."
-International Wine Cellar
"This one jumps out of the glass with ripe currant, blackberry, mineral and dusky herb flavors, finishing with a savory character that's reminiscent of salted meat. Distinctive and complex, this has miles to go before it's fully developed. Best from 2008 through 2015."
-Wine Specatator