Published in February 2011

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the February 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Cayuse 2007 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

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Price $65

In a stunning lineup of Cayuse Syrahs, the En Chamberlin wins by a nose. It’s smooth and silky, with a tongue-bending blend of flavors that include blood and iron, umami and salt, at first overtaking the pure fruit, but adding tremendous depth and power. The endless finish unfolds into a wine with exotic spices and complex layering. — P.G. (2/1/2011)

points

Cayuse 2007 Cailloux Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

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Price $65

The only one of the Cayuse Syrahs that is co-fermented with Viognier, this opens with a stunning, floral bouquet, showing extraordinary depth and texture. The wine has a floral top, a thickly fruity middle and a base with smoke, rock and meat. Still very young, it is already a complete, fully-realized, near-perfect wine with a finish that extends for many minutes… — P.G. (2/1/2011)

points

Charles Smith 2007 Royal City Stoneridge Vineyard Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

Cellar Selection
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Price $140

Depth and texture dominate; it’s all whole-cluster fruit, aged in new barriques. This fine follow-up to the 2006 features a little more delicacy, with a lovely floral component and some earth. The depth is astonishing in the weight and texture and the way the wine plays out across the palate. The finish never ends: a glorious mix of black cherry, earth, herb, spice… — P.G. (2/1/2011)

points

R.L. Buller & Son NV Calliope Rare Tokay (Rutherglen)

Cellar Selection

Price $120

Thick, dark brown and looking as much like molasses as wine, Buller’s Calliope Rare Tokay has a soy-like meatiness to it, a leathery note that adds complexity to its notes of treacle and rancio. Almost too sweet and syrupy, with an endless finish. — J.C. (2/1/2011)

points

Cayuse 2007 Widowmaker Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

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Price $70

This En Chamberlin vineyard offering has never been better. Simply spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon, pure and focused and textural and terroirdriven. A low yield, pure varietal wine, it is immensely concentrated, deeply flavored with cassis, cherry, and berry fruit that is substantial and detailed, with a light dappling of dried herb, chocolate powder, licorice and… — P.G. (2/1/2011)

points

Cayuse 2007 En Cerise Vineyard Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

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Price $65

Aromatic and invited, almost jet black in color, this single-vineyard offering is a pungent mix of blood orange, rosemary and cassis. Dense and focused, compact and layered, it is structured very much like a Cabernet, but with a full palette (and palate) of Syrah fruit flavors. — P.G. (2/1/2011)

points

Cayuse 2007 Bionic Frog Syrah (Walla Walla Valley (OR))

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Price $75

Often considered the iconic Cayuse wine, this bears the cartoonish label with the leering frog, though it is a single-vineyard offering like the others. Initially showing some fat and sweetness, it is supple and textural, with the density that comes from a mix of flavors: pain grillé, smoke, umami, fungus, coffee grounds and dark fruits. A richly organic compendium… — P.G. (2/1/2011)

points

Charles Smith 2007 Heart Stoneridge Vineyard Syrah (Columbia Valley (WA))

Cellar Selection
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Price $120

This initially tastes like young fruit, herbal, with a lot of stem and flower flavors, but with some heat at 16% alcohol. Nonetheless it’s delicious, compact, enormously fruity, focused and flat out amazing. A perfect mix of flesh, fruit, earth, and typicity from this unique vineyard. — P.G. (2/1/2011)

2010 Andeluna Altitud

This is a high-quality Malbec with fleshy berry aromas that veer towards…

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