Saturday Bonus – Cayuse! 9-25-21

In Today’s Newsletter:

Christophe Baron 
Cayuse
No Girls
Horsepower

New Offers, Library Releases & In Stock Now!

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Christophe Baron Champagne

As Christophe Baron approaches a quarter century making wine in Walla Walla Valley, his restless nature has spawned a number of different projects, each with their own ambition. Best known as the winemaker and founder of Cayuse, in Walla Walla, it’s not well known that he hails from Champagne. Only a true insider knows Monsieur Baron has a deep passion for Pinot Meunier Champagnes.  Just recently, he began producing profoundly mineral and expressive wines Champagnes from his family’s vines. The 2016s arrive Friday. Secure yours now – these always disappear quickly!

Arriving Friday, October 1st

Christophe Baron Charly-Sur-Marne Les Alouettes Vignes Brut Nature, Champagne 2016 1.5L ($299.95) $259 pre-arrival special, only 7 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“The 2016 Brut Nature Les Alouettes (Magnum) is ample and broad, with a real sense of volume that grows over time. Layered and beautifully resonant, the Alouttes is also the most sensual and immediate of these wines. Even with all of its intensity, the Alouttes is translucent and so expressive, even in the early going. Spice, dried pear, flowers and nutty accents linger. Disgorged: March, 2020.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The most reserved wine in the range is the 2016 Brut Nature Les Alouettes, from a southeast-facing site in Charly-sur-Marne. Unwinding in the glass with scents of citrus zest, apricot, orange oil and pear, framed by hints of wet stones and struck match, it’s medium to full-bodied, tightly wound and chalky, with racy acids and an elegant pinpoint mousse. Interestingly, a magnum tasted in November 2020 was rather more open and expressive than this one, tasted in early 2021.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
Christophe Baron Crouttes-Sur-Marne ‘Le Dessus du Bois Marie’ Brut Nature, Champagne 2016 1.5L ($319.95) $279 pre-arrival special, only 7 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 96 points
“The 2016 Brut Nature Le Dessus Du Bois Marie (Magnum) is a wine of cut and precision. Lemon confit, spice, baked apple tart and pear notes abound. Here the expression is all about energy, tension and delineation. Tangerine oil, spice, crushed rocks and white flowers add the closing shades of complexity. Disgorged: March, 2020.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “Disgorged in March 2020 without dosage, Baron’s 2016 Brut Nature Le Dessus du Bois Marie is showing nicely, wafting from the glass with delicately exotic aromas of mandarin orange, pear, musky peach, clear honey and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and vinous, it’s fleshy and saline, with an enveloping core of fruit, lively acids and a long, mouthwatering finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Christophe Baron Charly-Sur-Marne Les Hautes Blanches Vignes Brut Nature, Champagne 2016 1.5L ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special, only 7 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 97 points
“The 2016 Brut Nature Les Hautes Blanches Vignes (Magnum) is a deep, powerful, vinous wine. Meunier screams with character. Dried pear, spice, menthol, kirsch, Mirabelle plum and hazelnut soar out of the glass. Crystalline and exotically beautiful, with mesmerizing aromatics, the Hautes Blanches Vignes is incredibly distinctive and full of personality. The purity of the flavor is just breathtaking. This is such a gorgeous wine. Wow! Disgorged: March, 2020.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “Disgorged in March 2020, the 2016 Brut Nature Les Hautes Blanches Vignes is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with notes of ripe apples, pear, baking spices and peach. Full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, it’s a rich and textural wine, girdled by tangy acids and concluding with a long, delicately honeyed finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Shop our web store for the complete collection of wines from Christophe Baron or our massive selection of over 150 Champagnes!

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Cayuse Vineyards

2019 Cayuse Wines

All exclusive listings in the USA today!

“Baron’s wines are among the best of the best.”—Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
Arriving Friday, October 1st:

Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($279.95) $249 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
2018 Reviews: 98 Wine Advocate, 100 Jeb Dunnuck
2017 Reviews: 98 Wine Advocate, 98 Jeb Dunnuck

Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($149.95) $128 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
2018 Reviews: 94 Wine Advocate, 95+ Jeb Dunnuck
2017 Reviews: 93 Wine Advocate, 95 Jeb Dunnuck

Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
2018 Reviews: 94 Wine Advocate, 97 Jeb Dunnuck
2017 Reviews: 94+ Wine Advocate, 95 Jeb Dunnuck

Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
2018 Reviews: 93 Wine Advocate, 96 Jeb Dunnuck
2017 Reviews: 94+ Wine Advocate, 95 Jeb Dunnuck

Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($149.95) $128 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
2018 Reviews: 95 Wine Advocate, 97 Jeb Dunnuck
2017 Reviews: 96 Wine Advocate, 97 Jeb Dunnuck

Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($149.95) $128 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
2018 Reviews: 95+ Wine Advocate, 99 Jeb Dunnuck
2017 Reviews: 97 Wine Advocate, 95 Jeb Dunnuck

Cayuse Vineyards En Cerise Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($149.95) $128 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
2018 Reviews: 94+ Wine Advocate, 97+ Jeb Dunnuck
2017 Reviews: 95 Wine Advocate, 98 Jeb Dunnuck

2018 Cayuse Wines

All exclusive listings in the USA today!

“…winemaker Christophe Baron continues to deliver the goods, releasing singular, exotic, incredible wines from his bevy of single vineyards in the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley. The 2018s show the rich yet focused, straight, elegant style of the vintage beautifully and are going to be incredibly age-worthy. While the Syrahs get all the love, don’t miss his Grenache, Tempranillo, and Bordeaux blends. His 2018 Grenache God Only Knows might be the finest Grenache I’ve ever tasted outside of France and few California releases.” –Jeb Dunnuck
Arriving Friday, October 1st:

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points
“Gorgeous rose petals, wildflowers, cured meats, wild strawberries, and framboise-like notes emerge from the 2018 Grenache God Only Knows, another ethereal, sensationally complex, nuanced, medium-bodied Grenache that’s as unique and singular as they come. Blossoming with time in the glass, it has ripe, present tannins, a layered, building mouthfeel, and a gorgeous, smoky, meaty finish. It needs 3-5 years in the cellar (it’s far from unapproachable today) to integrate its tannins and structure and will deliver the goods over the following 10-15 years.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 96 points “Erupting from the glass with spiced cherry and smoked plum tones, the 2018 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard offers up notions of dusty roses, red peppercorn and dried potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is balanced with energetic acidity, a spicy, red-fruited expression and fine-grained, succulent tannins. The wine concludes with a dusty essence and a lingering flavor of red pepper skin. The wine rested for 22 months in neutral French demi-muids and foudre. It’s stunningly good, and I have no choice but to finish the glass. Just over 6,200 bottles produced.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards Armada Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“A beautiful as well as a classic expression of this cuvée, the 2018 Syrah Armada Vineyard reveals a medium ruby/plum color that’s almost translucent. This is followed by a big, exotic, Rocks-driven nose of blackcurrants, sweet mulch, violets, bacon fat, charcoal, and exotic spices (among other things). Incredibly complex aromatically, with plenty of savory herb, graphite, and earthy notes, it nevertheless has a wonderful core of sweet fruit. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and terrific balance, it opens up nicely with air and will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age. It’s capable of evolving for two decades.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards Wallah Wallah #12 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 1.5L ($219.95) $289 pre-arrival special, only 2 magnums available
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points
“Christophe often releases a special blend in magnum (he never says which vineyards it’s from), and the 2018 Syrah Special #12 is another gorgeous wine. Revealing a deep ruby/plum hue as well as classic Rocks notes of blue fruits, ground pepper, bacon fat, lavender, and violets, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will cruise for two decades.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93+ points “Dark red-ruby. Black cherry, blackberry, mocha, licorice and a whiff of menthol on the nose; more showy right now than the Bionic Frog. Rich and meaty if slightly aggressive on entry, then concentrated, dense and juicy in the mid-palate but still unevolved and a bit brooding. This very dry, savory wine shows little easy sweetness today to its flavors of dark fruits, minerals, game and black pepper but it boasts impressive energy and mineral spine. Finishes firmly tannic and long. Aeration brought a bit more sweetness and texture but this is still a distinctly dark, savory style of Syrah. (Bottled entirely in magnums.) (Tasted June 2021; Published September 2021)”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards The Lovers, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“Based on 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Syrah, the deep ruby/purple-hued 2018 The Lovers offers a rocking, Pauillac-like bouquet of blackcurrants, unsmoked tobacco, lead pencil, and earth. Medium to full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it has a terrific core of sweet red, black, and blue fruits, ripe tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s easily my favorite vintage of this cuvée to date, and it has another two decades of prime drinking ahead of it!”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 95 points “Full medium red-ruby. Distinctly dark, pure aromas of blueberry, blackberry, violet and wild mint. Suave and smooth on entry, then tightly wound and a bit imploded in the middle palate but already revealing lovely sweetness, balance and personality. The addition of a bit of Syrah has a softening influence on the Cabernet Sauvignon tannins. Still, this is higher-pitched and less open than the 2017 was at the same stage last year–more floral and fruity and less saline. Finishes with a late dusting of fine-grained tannins and excellent length. The wine’s juiciness and energy convey the impression of a moderate pH. (Tasted June 2021; Published September 2021).”
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Shop the complete collection of wines from Christophe Baron on our web store now!

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Order Online / By Phone / By Email

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2016 No Girls – All Winery Library Releases

“Made by Elizabeth Boucier of Cayuse (the wines are made at Cayuse),
these latest releases under her No Girls label are unquestionably
some of the best to date. While the wines always lean towards
the more fresh, elegant end of the spectrum, they’ve gained depth and
richness over the past handful of years. Today, they’re certainly
on par with anything coming out of the region.”

–Jeb Dunnuck
Arriving Friday, October 1st:

No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($139.95) $114.50 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 96 points
“Not yet released when I tasted it, the 2016 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard has a nose that opens with a bang, boasting majestic and explosive notes of dusty red fruit—raspberries, cherries and spiced red plum—with a rocky core of minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine expresses the semi-carbonic notes of sweet red fruit and dusty red flower petals with iron and lava rocks. It has expressive and silky tannins that linger on the long, ethereal finish. I am impressed! This is delicious juice and is a must-have for serious collectors. Only 338 cases made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2016 Grenache La Paciencia Vineyard sports a translucent ruby color as well as a terrific bouquet of black cherries, strawberries, cold fireplace, white flowers, and spice. Seamless, elegant, and vibrant, with great tension, it’s a thrilling, Rayas look-alike to drink over the coming 10-15 years. 338 cases.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $126
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.59) $119 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points
“Not yet released when I tasted it, the nose of the 2016 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard immediately reminds me of Côte-Rôtie with the ever-present floral lift and mineral tension. The nose is silky and elegant, with a focus on quality and precision that is instantly recognizable, with hints of black truffle, orange peel and a soft smokiness to the expression. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine’s mineral tension evolves into a petrichor note reminiscent of the first rain of the season over sun-baked earth. The palate continues to grow with red and dark fruits that become more expressive with each passing moment. This Syrah has an extraordinary length and texture for such a graceful wine, and the aftertaste lingers for days. This is the bottling that you will want to hide away in your cellar.  Only 331 cases were made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard was fermented in concrete (60-70% stems) and brought up in used demi-muid. Blackberries, smoked earth, cured meats, violets, and orange rind notes all flow to a beautiful, seamless, thrillingly refined effort that reminds me of a top traditional Côte Rôtie. 331 cases.”

No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“Similarly colored, the 2016 Tempranillo La Paciencia Vineyard offers an exotic bouquet of black cherries, violets, chocolate, tobacco, smoke, and candied orange rind. It’s deep, beautiful, savory, and full-bodied, with a thrilling texture. It’s another incredibly elegant, singular wine from this estate. 321 cases.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Not yet released when I tasted it in November 2019, the 2016 Tempranillo la Paciencia has a dusty core of dark fruit on the nose, with blackberry, wild strawberry and hints of soft leather and wet river rock. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied and shows a subtle spiciness that persists through to the finish, with building and structuring tannins. It ends with a long, mineral finish and lingering tannins that make this wine ready for food. 321 cases produced.”

No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $114.50 pre-arrival special, only 8 bottles available
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points
“A masterclass of finesse and elegance, the 2017 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard explodes with seductive floral tones that immediately capture your attention. Brilliantly defined dark cherry notions with aromas of rose hip and black spice tones sashay out of the glass. Nuances of dusty leather and wild strawberry float on top of the glass with red floral bouquet aromas. With 13.5% alcohol, this pure, medium-bodied wine is chock-full of flavor, bursting at the seams with a subtle smoky tone that perfectly frames the ripe red fruit. The palate is balanced with a velvety mouthfeel and energizing acidity to age for more than a decade. It displays expertly managed tannins and spiced red fruit that continues to unpack and evolve with mind-blowing complexity. The long-lived finish has a mineral tension and offers up notions of wild strawberry, dark cherry skin, newly opened peonies and luxurious and elegant black spice tones—another brilliant bottling from Christophe Baron. The only thing that is disappointing about this wine is that there are only 347 cases for the world to share.”
James Suckling 96 points “Lots of strawberry, smoke and roasted-walnut character to this with a medium to full body, round and soft tannins and a juicy finish. I like the succulent, juicy flavors at the end. Drink now or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2017 Grenache from this terrific label knocks it out of the park with its beautiful wild strawberry fruit intermixed with notions of damp earth, sweet mulch, lavender, flowers, and hints of tapenade. Incredible complex, it’s ethereal and elegant on the palate, with medium-bodied richness and depth, silky tannins, and a great finish. Reminding me of a Vosne Romanée (Domaine Dujac?), it’s going to keep for 10-12 years, probably longer.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $126

Shop the complete collection of wines from Christophe Baron on our web store now!

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Newly Arrived
Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker’ En Chamberlin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($189.95) $159 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points
“Lots of earthy tobacco, gravelly earth, shiitake, and assorted darker fruits emerge from the 2018 The Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard. Medium to full-bodied, it has a wonderful core of sweet fruit, polished tannins, and a great finish. It leans heavily into the earthy, foresty side of the spectrum. Give bottles 2-4 years in the cellar if you can, and it should have two decades of prime drinking ahead of it. This is only for those who like plenty of savory earthiness in their Bordeaux blends.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 94 points “Opening with a mineral-driven nose, the 2018 The Widowmaker en Chamberlin Vineyard offers up elements of dusty blackberry, hints of leather and resinous purple flowers with cinnamon and nutmeg tones. Medium to full-bodied, the wine displays a ripe, lush expression that is coated with a delightful mineral tension before displaying elements of bitter dark chocolate, dried sage and dusty purple flowers. Concluding with a long, winding finish, the Cabernet should continue to deliver an elegant, dark-fruited and delightful drinking experience for the next decade and a half. The wine rested for 19 months in French oak barrels, one-third new. Just over 3,000 bottles were produced.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93+ points “Dark red. Claret-like aromas of raspberry, strawberry, black tea, leather, menthol and minerals; a bit less wild than the 2017 version. Enters the mouth smooth, fine-grained and rather thick, then saturates the palate with red and darker fruits and spices. Substantial dusty tannins call for at least a few years of patience. Not currently showing the sweetness of The Lovers, this wine needs time to express itself and gain in nuance. It would appear to possess the balancing acidity and firm mineral spine to evolve positively. (Tasted June 2021; Published September 2021)”
Shop the complete collection of wines from Christophe Baron on our web store now!

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Can’t Wait?

In Stock Now from Cayuse

“The 2017s from Christophe Baron show the more elegant, balanced style of the vintage nicely while still showing plenty of depth and concentration.
These are singular, gorgeous wines that could come from nowhere else.”

–Jeb Dunnuck
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points
“While I don’t think the 2017 Impulsivo matches the 2016, it’s certainly not far off. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it offers a gorgeous perfume of smoked black cherries, redcurrants, green tobacco, bloody meat, sandalwood, and Asian spices that opens up with time in the glass. Ethereal, medium to full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has flawless balance, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s just beautifully put together and one of the more approachable vintages of this cuvée. It can be drunk with incredible pleasure today (give it an hour decant) or cellared for 15+ years or more.”
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2017 Impulsivo begins with an expressive and aromatic nose with roasted blackberries, oak spice tones and charred cherry skin with elements of dusty purple flowers and baked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is expressive and deliciously balanced across the mid-palate before showing exotic spice elements, dried tobacco and cedar plank across the long-lingering finish. For Tempranillo lovers out there, this is a simply delicious wine that represents a New World-style expression of Tempranillo and a clear winner. Check it out. Only 262 cases were produced.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94 points “Bright medium red-ruby. Savory scents of dark raspberry, roasted meat and spices. Thick and savory yet alive on entry, with cherry and red and darker berry flavors framed and lifted by spices and minerals. I find more energy and inner-mouth aromatic lift here than the 2016 showed a year ago but also a seductive plushness in the middle palate. On the full side of medium-bodied but not a bit heavy. I’d love to put this in a blind tasting of top Ribera del Duero wines; it would stand out for its texture and complexity, not to mention its outstanding rising length. Boasts a powerful tannic spine but wonderfully fine-grained and edge-free. A great American Tempranillo with the structure to age: I’d love to revisit this wine in ten years.”

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 4 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points
“The subtlety of fruit here is mesmerizing with sweet strawberry, floral and tangerine aromas that follow through to a medium to full body, fine and soft tannins and a long, delicious finish. It shows such polish and fineness. Drink or hold.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94 points “Moderately saturated dark red. Aromas of raspberry, red cherry, white pepper, rose petal and piquant spices, with mocha and fresh herb notes emerging with aeration. A suave, refined midweight offering a lovely combination of intense red fruits and savory soil tones accented by flowers and pepper. Still a bit tight but already beautifully delineated for New World Grenache; has just enough gamey funkiness to add some Old World nuance. Finishes with light tannins, intriguing peppery grip and slowly rising length. This outstanding Washington Grenache boasts superb subtlety and intensity–and a firm spine throughout. I love the balance of sweet and salty elements here. (13.8% alcohol)”

Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 94 points
“Boasting a warm and generous nose that offers firm and expressive aromas of crème de cassis, black plum skin, dark cherry compote and spiced blackberry jus, the 2018 Camaspelo displays elements of resinous purple flowers and brown baking spices in the glass. Full-bodied and with silky tannins, the wine glides across the mid-palate with elegance and ease, leaving juicy flavors of macerating dark berries, cardamom madeleines and plum reduction. The wine has all of its elegance on display and concludes with an elongated finish that begs me back for another sip. The wine rested for 19 months in about 35% new French oak. It has me daydreaming of pan-seared Tomahawk chops. Just over 4,700 bottles produced.”

Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $135 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points
“Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”

Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 95+ points
“Boasting a firm, dense and serious nose, the 2018 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard expresses notions of peppered beef jerky, cured venison, roasted plum and wilted lavender in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is sturdy and broad with elements of crème de cassis, bone broth, impressive mineral tension and healthy tannins that grip the gumline. It conclude with a long, lingering and subtly smoked finish. The wine aged for 19 months in mostly neutral French oak. Let this one rest for another year in the cellar before opening, and drink through the next decade and a half. Decanting is recommended. Just over 5,200 bottles were filled.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A distinctive style, showing richness and detail, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors gathering accents of crushed rock and smoky white pepper on the way to polished tannins. Drink now through 2030. 435 cases made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $133
Christophe Baron is not only a great friend of the shop; he also makes some of the most in-demand wines in North America. His Horsepower wines all come from estate vineyards which are farmed biodynamically using, you guessed it, horses. Planted at extremely high density, some are even grown on stakes rather than wires, as a throwback to the original farming techniques of the Rhone. No expenses are spared in making these wines and the yields from the dramatic vineyards are extremely low. These are outstanding wines that will be talked about, and enjoyed, for decades.

Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 96+ points
“Exploding from the glass with elements of white peppercorn, spiced potpourri, black raspberry, dusty leather and cherry compote, the 2018 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard offers elegant earth tones of cedar, cigar box and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, the palate possesses a fantastic mineral tension with a soft stemmy essence that sways with exotic red and purple flowers, baked clay and freshly crushed peppercorn. The wine lingers with persistence over the elongated finish, offering notes of graphite and bitter black tea. The wine rested for two years in neutral demi-muids and foudre. With the beautiful lineup of Syrahs, Horsepower Vineyards is quickly becoming known for another powerhouse Rhône variety: Grenache. Almost 3,400 bottles were filled.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $199
Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points
“Showing with a deep ruby core that fades to a purple edge, the 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard explodes from the glass with pronounced smoky aromas that waft with delicate notes of dark chocolate-covered blackberries, then show hints of roasted coffee bean, notions of petrichor, baked earth and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegantly powerful, showcasing a balanced chassis of youthful tannins that evolve with the complex nature of the wine. There is a velvety firmness to the mid-palate before moving onto an elongated finish that grows in complexity and amplitude as the expression resonates harmoniously, confirming yet another blockbuster Syrah from the ever-so-talented Christophe Baron. Only 386 cases made.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “[#69 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020] The aromas explode from the glass, with notes of fire pit, potpourri, black olive, wet stone, dried porcini and stone. The palate is sumptuous, layered, elegant and intensely flavorful, showing abundant savory notes. A lingering black olive and earthy finish caps it off. Best after 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points “The 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard is more wound up and tight, with backward notes of chocolaty black fruits, toasted spice, mulled plums, cured ham, and sweet mulch all developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with plenty of tannins, this is one 2017 that’s going to reward bottle age. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years if possible, and it should see its 20th birthday in fine form. This is certainly for those who like a big dose of funk in their Syrah!”

No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($139.95) $119 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“Rose petals, forest floor, spring flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, and loads of spice all emerge from the 2017 Tempranillo. It almost reminds me of a Cote Rotie with its feminine, floral, complex bouquet. Nicely textured on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness, it has great tannins, perfect balance, and just has everything in the right places. It benefits from air, so give it a decant if drinking any time soon. It’s going to evolve gracefully for 15-20 years or more.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Tempranillo la Paciencia shows a solid ruby core and wafts from the glass with aromas of cassis, wild strawberry, baked earth and leather. Medium to full-bodied, the wine has a firm dustiness similar to hot river rocks, then shows lifting, fine-grained tannins that complete the complex yet balanced structure. The Tempranillo ends with an elegant, lingering finish, showing crushed violets and soft savory spiciness before swaying back to expressive fruit tones. Only 313 cases were created.”

Shop the complete collection of wines from Christophe Baron on our web store now!

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