“...this showed captivating aromas of raspberry, smoke and underbrush and a
silkiness of texture that reminded me of a big Burgundy.”
—Stephen Tanzer,
International Wine Cellar

Cailloux Vineyard Syrah

Produced: 1999 - present

Professional reviews and tasting notes from prior vintages:

2008

The 2008 Cailloux Vineyard Syrah contains 4% Viognier. Expressive game, bacon, and blueberry aromas are given uplift by the Viognier component. This savory, rich, lengthy Syrah can be enjoyed now and over the next 10-12 years. 97 Points.
–Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Polished, refined in structure and exuberant in flavor, bursting with cherry, smoke, paprika and tar character, finishing with a mineral edge. This has a steely balance behind the open texture, and the finish just rolls and rolls. Drink now through 2020. 95 Points.
–Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

Dark, bright red-ruby. Musky, smoky aromas of blackberry, black cherry, brown spices and licorice. High-pitched and taut on the palate, with lovely verve and focus to the dark berry and violet flavors. This gripping young syrah is most impressive today on the very long finish, which features noble tannins and outstanding cling. 94 Points.
–Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Rated Number 1 by Seattle Metropolitan magazine (September 2011), Washington’s 100 Best Wines. In the late 1990’s Christophe Baron set about making a series of highly rated syrahs that would transform the Washington wine industry. Today he is still a syrah maker in a class by himself. Case in point: this intensely aromatic wine with floral and savory notes, minerality, light funk, saline, and black olive juice. 97 Points.
–Sean Sullivan, Seattle Metropolitian

2007

The saturated purple 2007 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard contains 4% Viognier in the blend. It displays a Cote-Rotie-like nose of smoked meat, olives, herbs, game, and bacon. Layered, plush, and super-rich, this full-bodied, pleasure-bent effort has exceptional length. Difficult to resist now, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years. 97 points.
–Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Strong notes of tar, hot stone and licorice weave through the rich, dark plum, mulberry and currant aromas and flavors. A complex, beautifully knit wine that lets its flavors sail through a long, compelling finish. Best from 2012 through 2020. 95 Points.
–Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2006

The first of the Syrahs is the saturated purple 2006 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard (with 4% Viognier in the blend). It displays a Cote-Rotie-like nose of smoked meat, game, and bacon with a dollop of burnt sugar and blueberry making an appearance. Layered, plush, and super-rich, this full-bodied, pleasure-bent effort has exceptional length. Difficult to resist now, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years. 98 points.
–Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

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. Best from 2011 through 2018. 95 Points.
–Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2005

The normal cuvee of 2005 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard has an alluring perfume of spice box, meat, game, and blueberry compote. Opulent yet elegant, this hedonistic effort will benefit from 4-6 years of cellaring and provide pleasure through 2020. 97 points.
–Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Distinctly spicy, with a panoply of dusky, sweet and savory spices that wrap around a tight core of blackberry fruit, veering toward black tea on the finish. It all hangs on a lithe, supple structure that's more elegant than most Syrahs. Best from 2010 through 2015. 93 points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2004

Syrah is the principal raison d’etre at Cayuse Vineyards. In a typical vintage five are produced beginning with the 2004 Syrah “Cailloux Vineyard,” a cuvee co-fermented with 4% Viognier. It delivers a splendid nose of lavender, leather, meat, and blueberry jam. This is followed by a wine with great flavor already exhibiting complexity. It could use a bit more depth but that is a minor matter. This beauty can be enjoyed through 2025. 93 points. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Supple, open-textured and immensely appealing for the balance of distinctly mineral-accented plum and cherry flavors against subtle touches of coffee, wet earth and oak. Drink now through 2014. 92 points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2003

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. 92 points. –Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

Viognier (4%) was co-fermented with Syrah to produce the candied blackberry, leather, and sweat-scented 2003 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard. Medium to full-bodied and broad on the attack, this black fruit-filled wine tightens to reveal a bright, slightly tangy finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. 92 points. –Pierre Rovani, The Wine Advocate

Incredible fruit intensity. Cranberry, pomegranate and cherry meet rock, gravel and pepper. Lovely focus and purity; it’s concentrated and tight, with a minerality that is compelling and distinctive. The best yet from Cailloux. Syrah is co-fermented with 4 or 5% Viognier. It’s a world-class effort, still quite young and tight, but built for beautiful aging. 95 points. –Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast

Lithe, supple style has a lovely range of spicy plum and cranberry flavors on a silky frame, a seductive wine that hints at stony notes as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2015. 91 points. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

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