2006 Cayuse Syrah - Cailloux Vineyard Walla Walla Valley.
Wine Spectator just recently had this to say about it: Plush and polished, this brims with cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors that are nicely shaded with streaks of mineral and green olive. Supple, harmonious and expressive as the finish keeps sailing on and on. 95 points.
I had read this review before having the wine and was eager to drink it, but am always a bit skeptical of a 95 or higher rating. I also, however, knew it's been very high on my "must taste" list for a while now, so it definitely had a chance to be that good. And indeed it was.
The fruit on this wine is some of the most subtle I've ever tasted on a Washington Syrah. With 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier, there's definitely a nice fruit balance on the front end with blackberry, blueberry and rasperry, but when it hits the mid-palate, there is a truly unique minerality, leather and earthiness that takes over and subdues the fruit. Not in a UFC-type submission, but more like a dinner with the Dalai Lama who convinces you that everything you ever thought about life was wrong...and it was all okay with you, even uplifting and motivating.
Having enjoyed this wine with two good buddies who are true wine aficionados made it all that much better.
What you should do: Given Wine Spectator's just released 95 rating, it's very hard to find, especially under $100 a bottle. Good luck finding it, but, if you do, I would suggest buying a bottle or two and holding on to them for 5+ years. This is an extraordinary wine and unlike most Syrah's on the market. But, for fruity Syrah lovers, this probably isn't your wine.
My rating: 94 - one of the best I've had this year so far.
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2004 Long Shadows Chester-Kidder Red Wine
Sometimes you run across a wine completely by mistake, but find that the stars have aligned for you in all the right ways.
At dinner a few weeks back, I ordered a bottle of the 2005 Long Shadows Chester-Kidder Red Wine. When the bottle came to the table, it turned out to be a 2004. After pointing that out to the sommelier, he asked if he should return it for what I ordered, but something told me to keep it. It was the right decision (especially since the next bottle I ordered was the 2005 and it was not as well balanced or mature - still a good wine, but not as much structure as the 2004).
Not sure if this wine had hit a peak time in its maturity or not, but, that night, it was an extraordinary wine. The first thing I noticed was how velvety smooth it was, with all the components working flawlessly together. Not a horribly complex wine, but a very well balanced, smooth red, with a stunning and full finish. With a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petite Verdot, I expected an interesting wine, but not one this smooth.
Wine Spectator has this to say about it: Firm in texture, with a gritty feel to the tannins as they wrap around the lean core of blackberry and tar flavors, lingering on the crisp finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best after 2009.
What you should do: BUY IT! A classic example of a well balanced Washington red. I think it may be drinking close to its peak, so don't sit on it if you can find a bottle - invite some well deserving friends over for dinner and enjoy soon. Better yet, have them bring dinner over and you'll supply the wine.
My rating: 92+ Wine Spectator gave it a rating of 87, but I completely disagree.
Wine Spectator just recently had this to say about it: Plush and polished, this brims with cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors that are nicely shaded with streaks of mineral and green olive. Supple, harmonious and expressive as the finish keeps sailing on and on. 95 points.
I had read this review before having the wine and was eager to drink it, but am always a bit skeptical of a 95 or higher rating. I also, however, knew it's been very high on my "must taste" list for a while now, so it definitely had a chance to be that good. And indeed it was. The fruit on this wine is some of the most subtle I've ever tasted on a Washington Syrah. With 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier, there's definitely a nice fruit balance on the front end with blackberry, blueberry and rasperry, but when it hits the mid-palate, there is a truly unique minerality, leather and earthiness that takes over and subdues the fruit. Not in a UFC-type submission, but more like a dinner with the Dalai Lama who convinces you that everything you ever thought about life was wrong...and it was all okay with you, even uplifting and motivating.
Having enjoyed this wine with two good buddies who are true wine aficionados made it all that much better.
What you should do: Given Wine Spectator's just released 95 rating, it's very hard to find, especially under $100 a bottle. Good luck finding it, but, if you do, I would suggest buying a bottle or two and holding on to them for 5+ years. This is an extraordinary wine and unlike most Syrah's on the market. But, for fruity Syrah lovers, this probably isn't your wine.
My rating: 94 - one of the best I've had this year so far.
**********************************************************
2004 Long Shadows Chester-Kidder Red Wine
Sometimes you run across a wine completely by mistake, but find that the stars have aligned for you in all the right ways.
At dinner a few weeks back, I ordered a bottle of the 2005 Long Shadows Chester-Kidder Red Wine. When the bottle came to the table, it turned out to be a 2004. After pointing that out to the sommelier, he asked if he should return it for what I ordered, but something told me to keep it. It was the right decision (especially since the next bottle I ordered was the 2005 and it was not as well balanced or mature - still a good wine, but not as much structure as the 2004).
Not sure if this wine had hit a peak time in its maturity or not, but, that night, it was an extraordinary wine. The first thing I noticed was how velvety smooth it was, with all the components working flawlessly together. Not a horribly complex wine, but a very well balanced, smooth red, with a stunning and full finish. With a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petite Verdot, I expected an interesting wine, but not one this smooth.
Wine Spectator has this to say about it: Firm in texture, with a gritty feel to the tannins as they wrap around the lean core of blackberry and tar flavors, lingering on the crisp finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best after 2009.
What you should do: BUY IT! A classic example of a well balanced Washington red. I think it may be drinking close to its peak, so don't sit on it if you can find a bottle - invite some well deserving friends over for dinner and enjoy soon. Better yet, have them bring dinner over and you'll supply the wine.
My rating: 92+ Wine Spectator gave it a rating of 87, but I completely disagree.
Gadget
Cayuse is a fascinating story, to say the least; I only ever tried one of their offerings once, when a favorite rep from my days as a wine buyer in Chicago brought some of his own in to taste, in an attempt to prove that the oft-underestimated Walla Walla was in fact capable of producing world class wines (he had another Wash. producer in his book!); needless to say, I was convinced!
Anyhow, kudos on a great site; a fellow wine blogger put me on to it, and I look forward to reading more; in the meantime, I'm off to add you to our blog roll!
Regards,
Christopher Watkins
Tasting Room Manager
RIDGE Vineyards/Monte Bello
www.ridgewine.com/blog
couldn't agree more - good story and great wines, always.
thanks for the kudos and the addition to your blogroll - interesting stuff you're doing on your blog.
have yet to get to your winery, but love the wine you guys put out and grab it whenever i can. the one i have not had is the montebello, but i'll try to get out to the winery to taste it - are you guys tasting the wine?
talk to you soon.