2011 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard Washington Red

2011 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard

98 RP

Featured Review

The 2011 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, which comes from a vineyard close to the En Chamberlin Vineyard, offers a classic northern Rhone-like profile of blackberry and black currant fruits, beef blood, iron, liquid mineral and smoked meat. Full-bodied, layered, and fabulously concentrated, with considerable back-end structure, this awesome effort will drink well for over 15 years. I was blown away by these new releases from Christophe Baron and Elizabeth Bourcier last year when I tasted them from barrel, and I’m thrilled (and relieved) to see them show so well from bottle this go-round. These are some of the most exciting new releases out there today. In addition, their 2012s look even better. As I suggested last year, this is one mailing list spot you don’t want to pass up. Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Robert Parker | 98 RP

The 2011 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, which comes from a vineyard close to the En Chamberlin Vineyard, offers a classic northern Rhone-like profile of blackberry and black currant fruits, beef blood, iron, liquid mineral and smoked meat. Full-bodied, layered, and fabulously concentrated, with considerable back-end structure, this awesome effort will drink well for over 15 years.

I was blown away by these new releases from Christophe Baron and Elizabeth Bourcier last year when I tasted them from barrel, and I’m thrilled (and relieved) to see them show so well from bottle this go-round. These are some of the most exciting new releases out there today. In addition, their 2012s look even better. As I suggested last year, this is one mailing list spot you don’t want to pass up.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RP

The first vintage of this 100% Syrah comes from a tiny 1.2ha vineyard planted in 2009 with one vine per stake. It’s part of Baron’s Horsepower project, so-called because he plows the vineyards with Belgian draft horses. The 2011 growing season was the coldest on record, with no heat spikes, a harvest three weeks later than usual and yields down 80%. Yet it has wonderful concentration and layers of earth and savoury mineral flavours, with hints of lavender and smoked meat on the finish. Drinking Window 2019 - 2025.

Decanter | 95 DEC

Floral aromas and tight raspberry fruit flavors are the first impression. Next come notes of wild game, with blood, herb and a bit of liver pâté. Unique, deep and yet somehow delicate, this has impressive complexity for a vineyard's first release.

Wine Enthusiast | 94 WE

(13.6% alcohol; from a densely planted vineyard next to La Paciencia): Good dark red. Deep, musky aromas of strawberry, raspberry, pepper and spices are at once slightly high-toned and precise. Lush and very densely packed on entry, then youthfully imploded in the middle palate, showing terrific inner-mouth tension to its berry, spice and black olive flavors. A strong impression of energy keeps the wine’s sweetness under wraps. This freakishly intense Syrah from young vines should gain in complexity with another four or five years of cellaring. In 2012, Christophe Baron will add a Syrah from the Sur Echalas vineyard.

Vinous Media | 93+ VM

Broad and spicy, with an underlying streak of black olive contrasting with the plum and currant fruit, this sails against refined tannins in a remarkably harmonious package. Offers presence and persistence. Drink now through 2021. 197 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 93 WS

Type of Wine	Washington Red
Varietal	Shiraz/Syrah : Something magical occurred when two ancient French grapes procreated and the varietal of Syrah entered the world of winegrowing. The exact time period of its inception is still undetermined; however, the origin of Syrah’s parentage confirms it was birthed in the Rhone Valley. DNA testing performed by UC Davis has indicated that Syrah is the progeny of the varietals Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, both of Rhone origin. Syrah dominates its native homeland of Northern Rhone and has become one of the most popular grape varietals in the world. Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah have often been confused and misunderstood, some consumers believing them to all be the same grape, while others thinking the opposite. Petite Sirah is actually the offspring of Syrah and Peloursin and though related, is an entirely different grape variety. Its official name is Durif, for the name of the French nurseryman who first propagated the varietal in the 1880s; it is called Petite Sirah in California (due to the resemblance of Syrah, but smaller berries). Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape. Producers in Australia have been labelling Syrah as “Shiraz” since James Busby first introduced the varietal to the continent. The Scottish viticulturist brought Syrah from France to Australia in the middle of the 18th century and labelled the cuttings as “Sycras” and “Ciras,” which may have led to the naming. Most California vintners label their bottlings as Syrah and of course in French style and tradition, the name of the village or area the grape is cultivated dictates the label name. The Syrah grape is at home in Northern Rhone where the climate is cool and the terroir is filled with gravel, schist, limestone, iron, granite and sandy soils. It thrives on rocky, hilly terrain with a southern exposure, due to its need for sunlight. Syrah is a very vigorous grape with a spreading growth habit. The berries are small to medium oval shaped blue-black and tend to shrivel when ripe. Today, Syrah is one of the most popular and widely planted grape varietals in the world, covering almost 190,000 hectares across the earth’s surface. It is the only red grape variety permitted by AOC regulations in the appellations of Hermitage and Cote-Rotie, where it has breathed life into some of the most tremendous wines on the planet. Languedoc-Roussilon has the most surface area planted in France with 43,200 hectares dedicated to Syrah. The varietal is used for blending in Southern Rhone, Provence and even Bordeaux. Syrah has spread worldwide from Australia to California and South Africa to Spain creating the ‘New World’ hype of the varietal. Since the 1990’s, Syrah winegrowing and production has increased exponentially; for example, in 1958 there were a mere 2,000 hectares planted in France. By 2005 that number increased to over 68,000 hectares and today it is well over 70,000. The same holds true for California, Australia and other ‘New World’ producers that have jumped “all in.” World-wide there are approximately 190,000 hectares of Syrah currently being cultivated. The allure of Syrah has taken the world by storm, but is important to note where the hype began. Long before Syrah was being stamped with ‘New World’ or of ‘cult status,’ the tremendous quality of Hermitage was being written about in Thomas Jefferson’s diary. Today, the grape variety can be grown, fashioned, named and enjoyed in a myriad of ways, but the quality of Syrah grape remains the same – incredible.
Country	US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region	Washington : While California definitely owns the spotlight when it comes to excellent American wines, Washington winemakers should certainly not be underestimated. While their traditional focus was set firmly on refreshing, illustrious white wines, they've adopted French red varietals like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since then, they've been achieving excellence in both categories and can compete with the world's most prestigious viticultural titans. Flavor-wise, you can expect a healthy amount of variety when it comes to Washington's finest wines. From acidic and fruity bottles that can shake you up from even the deepest slumber or sadness to rich and ripe powerhouses that command the respect of everyone in the room after as much as a single whiff. Juicy raspberries that gently tickle your tongue, deep and noble blackberries, intense cherries and earthen oak - these are the flavors that characterize this region, despite the presence of an entire orchestral symphony of other aromatic notes. A sampling of fine wine from Washington is a lot like being seduced, so why not uncork one of these bottles for a potential or existing partner? With a drink of this quality, those romantic sparks will turn into a fireworks display, as your emotions are laid bare and intensified, and you make a connection that can last a lifetime.
Subregion	Columbia Valley
Appellation	Walla Walla
Climat/Vineyard	The Tribe Vineyard