Cayuse, Armada Syrah, Walla Walla Valley

Cayuse, Christophe Baron's biodynamic Walla Walla Valley estate, farms five stony vineyards totalling 47 acres at about two tons per acre, mostly Syrah. Single-vineyard Syrahs are Cailloux (10 acres, planted 1997, co-fermented with a little Viognier), En Cerise, En Chamberlin, Armada and Bionic Frog from 4.5-acre Coccinelle. Other cuvées include God Only Knows Grenache, Impulsivo Tempranillo, Widowmaker Cabernet Sauvignon, the Camaspelo and Flying Pig Bordeaux blends, and Edith Grenache rosé. Ferments run in concrete on native yeasts with 20–30% whole clusters, then larger oak and foudres with little new wood. The Syrahs show pepper, black fruit, savoury "burnt earth" and fine tannins.

Region

Walla Walla Valley (The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater), Oregon/Washington

Owner

Christophe Baron

Vineyards

Five vineyards, 47 acres: Cailloux (10 ac), Coccinelle (4.5 ac), En Cerise (10 ac), En Chamberlin (10 ac), Armada (7 ac)

Grapes

Syrah dominant; Grenache, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Viognier

Wines

Cailloux, En Cerise, En Chamberlin, Armada and Bionic Frog Syrahs; God Only Knows Grenache; Impulsivo Tempranillo; Widowmaker Cabernet Sauvignon; Camaspelo; Flying Pig; The Lovers; Edith Rosé; Cailloux Viognier

Style

Biodynamic since 2002; concrete fermenters, native yeasts, 20–30% whole cluster, large oak with little new wood

Website

https://www.cayusevineyards.com

Sources: cayusevineyards.com, lizthachmw.com, thewineindependent.com