2007 Cailloux Vineyard Syrah

Good full ruby-red. Initially reticent nose shows black fruits, black olive, pepper, wild herbs, dried rose and violet face powder as it opens in the glass; I would have picked this as northern Rhone and been shocked to find I was wrong. Sweet, dense and primary, with intense flavors similar to the aromas. Really remarkably energetic and delineated for Washington syrah, offering outstanding grip and inner-mouth perfume. This somehow saturates the palate while coming off as weightless. Finishes very long and fine, with lingering notes of pepper, herbs and spices. A great vintage for Cayuse's flagship bottling.

The 2007 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard might be the greatest vintage from this vineyard to date, although I think the ’06 and '10 will be longer-lived. Seeing 4-6% Viognier and around 50-60% stems during fermentation, it’s a blockbuster effort that exudes notions of iron, dried blood, pepper, Asian spice and sweet red and black fruits. Full-bodied, supple and sexy on the palate, it has extraordinary purity, a layered, full mid-palate and beautiful depth and tannic structure that comes through on the finish. It’s far from unapproachable today, and I’d happily drink it anytime over the coming decade or more. eRobertParker.com.June, 2015