Cayuse Vineyards : Cailloux Vineyard Syrah 2016

A Stunning Biodynamic Syrah from Walla Walla Valley

Cayuse Vineyards is an estate in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington State, founded by Cristophe Baron, originally from the Champagne region, in 1997. The property was named after the French term for "stones," in reference to the characteristic stony terroir found here. Today, the estate includes 60 acres in total, divided into 5 vineyards, all of which have been certified biodynamic since 2002. The 10-acre Cailloux Vineyard was the very first of the five, purchased and planted in 1997 with Syrah and Viognier vines. These vines stretch deep into cobblestone soils, which provide great water drainage and few nutrients for the roots to consume, forcing the vines to struggle to produce a small yield of fruit. Because of this struggle, the resulting fruit is quite concentrated and aromatically complex. The Cailloux Syrah 2016 by Cayuse Vineyards includes a small amount of co-fermented Viognier and is aged 100% in puncheons.

The Cailloux Syrah 2016 by Cayuse Vineyards is another stunning vintage of the estate's flagship Syrah, revealing beautiful aromas of plums, smoky ash, violet petals and black pepper on the nose. On the palate, this biodynamic Syrah is very rich, full-bodied and opulent, with a generous mid-palate and a bright acidity perfectly balanced with smooth, elegant tannins. The finish is absolutely gorgeous: very persistent with a bewitching mineral salinity.