2016 Cayuse Camaspelo Washington Red

2016 Cayuse Camaspelo

97 JD

Featured Review

The 2016 Camaspelo is a rock star of a wine and possibly the finest vintage to date. Crème de cassis, crushed flowers, lead pencil, sandalwood, and ample minerality all emerge from this awesome 2016 that has incredible complexity. Reminiscent of a great vintage of Chateau Margaux with its complexity, elegance, and balance, it's medium to full-bodied, silky, and pure on the palate, with a beautiful, layered, seamless profile that's going to age for 20-25 years. Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JD

This has attractive cassis and blueberry aromas with a gently spicy kick from a small amount of tempranillo. The palate has a very modern feel with a build of fresh, ripe, purple and blue fruit and silky tannins. Again, it is the tempranillo that dresses this up on the palate. Clever wine. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and tempranillo. Drink or hold.

James Suckling | 94 JS

The 2016 Camaspelo has a hearty Cabernet core and mineral edge on the nose that is covered in red and black fruits—cassis, blackberry and red cherry skin—and dusty florals. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is spicy on the palate, with structured tannins that build in complexity and continue to evolve, leading to the long, lingering finish with a soft oak flavor. This is an incredibly cellar-worthy and delicious wine. Well done! Only 354 cases were made.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RP

Good dark red. A touch of menthol reduction to the aromas of cassis and blackberry. Savory and concentrated but a bit youthfully musclebound, conveying an impression of medicinal reserve to its flavors of wild raspberry compote, scorched earth and truffle. A bit less precise than The Lovers but this is still clenched and is not yet showing its inherent complexity. An element of restrained sweetness comes as a pleasant surprise with aeration. Most impressive today on the long, ripely tannic, still-brooding finish. This Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend will need patience. (13.6% alcohol).

Vinous Media | 92 VM

The aromas are subdued out of the gate, with notes of earth, tobacco, fresh herb, funk, cassis bud and spice. The palate brings a sense of layering and detail.

Wine Enthusiast | 91 WE

Type of Wine	Washington Red
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
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.

Producer	Cayuse : The Domaine of Cayuse is located in the Stones of the Walla Walla Valley, where it is said “The Stones hold the secret.” Over the past twenty years, Christophe Baron has made it his mission to carve out food-friendly wines of incredible depth and character from the almost mythical plot of treasured, and now historic land. The young and impetuous, French Vigneron visited the little-known town of Walla Walla and fell in love with its seemingly useless stone covered farmland. There were many who doubted such a venture could turn bountiful. However, that is simply just what happened, silencing the nay-sayers; who are probably still trying to allocate some of his highly sought after wines. Cayuse produces 3,500 cases of a multitude of varieties; Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Tempranillo and Viognier. The varietals hail from five different vineyards - Cailloux, Coccinelle, En Cerise, En Chamberlin, and Aramada. The vineyards and their locations are important to the identity of the wines themselves as their true fingerprints are in the minerality. Each wine is true to the unique terroir of the vineyards. Christophe says, “You want to taste the place.” So… do the stones hold the secret, as a brash, young visiting vigneron believed? Christophe probably deserves more credit himself for his farming methods: which is biodynamical, completely free of chemicals, pesticides and fungicides. His efforts at cultivating the land to develop healthier soil is astounding. But, then again, there is an allure in mythical stories.