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: 2016 Cayuse "Impulsivo" Walla Walla Valley Tempranillo

2016 Cayuse "Impulsivo" Walla Walla Valley Tempranillo

SKU #1390808 98 points Jeb Dunnuck

Outer quote mark The 2016 Impulsivo is all Tempranillo comes from the En Chamberlin Vineyard and was brought up in 50-60% new French oak. It's a deep ruby/purple-colored effort and reveals a stunning bouquet of cassis, black cherries, smoked earth, gravelly minerality, and cedary spice. Still tight, backward, and vibrant on the palate, it another one of the 2016s that's going to need 3-4 years of bottle age. (JD) 98+ Inner quote mark (4/2019)

95 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark With only three acres dedicated to Tempranillo, the 2016 Impulsivo comes from the En Chamberlin vineyard. The nose is scented of red fruits—spiced red plums and dark cherries—with an oaky and mineral core. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and precise, with balanced tannic structure and ripe, juicy richness across the mid-palate, finishing long. This wine will age well, as it shows power and a soft, silky elegance on the finish. (AM) Inner quote mark (12/2019)

94 points Decanter

Outer quote mark Cayuse is certainly out of the ordinary. It's a biodynamically-farmed Tempranillo by French-born Christophe Baron, who recognised the valley's Chateauneuf-du-Pape-like stones were ideal for vine growing assisting with temperature control in the hot days and cold nights. The wine is fermented in concrete which contributes to the fleshy mouthfeel. A rich, dark, powerful wine with tannins needing time in bottle to tame. A stylistically bold version among New World Tempranillos. (SJE) Inner quote mark (4/2020)

94 points James Suckling

Outer quote mark The inherent, spicy feel of the Syrah from the same vineyard is here, as is the delivery of sweeter and more savory characters in tandem. The blue fruit and cassis are strong and there’s a lemon-zest edge to the nose, too. The palate builds in very fresh and fleshy, long mode and carries a wealth of richness. Balanced tannins hold the fruit fresh and long. Inner quote mark (4/2019)

93 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark The chimney, funk, earth, mineral, fresh tobacco, peat and spice aromas draw you into the glass. The fruit and savory notes are elegant but flavorful, with a long finish capping it off. The balance is impressive. (SS) Inner quote mark (10/2019)

92 points Vinous

Outer quote mark Good full red. Musky aromas of raspberry, cherry, redcurrant and mocha complicated by a hint of meat and some oak spices. Darker and smokier than the Tempranillo that Elizabeth Bourcier makes under the No Girls label, with robust dark fruit, meat and mocha flavors calling out for food. "An asado wine," says Bourcier. I think of this as Ribera del Duero-like in style, vs. the No Girls' Rioja. A bit less fun in the early going--as well as more tannic--than the No Girls example but still quite juicy and light on its feet. (ST) 92+ Inner quote mark (12/2019)

K&L Notes

Jay Miller for Wine Advocate on Cayuse: "A cult of personality seems to have developed in Washington over the past couple of years. Whenever the name Christophe is mentioned, everyone immediately knows of whom you are talking. The man himself, Christophe Baron, continues to find new and interesting things to do... some of the finest parcels of Tempranillo and Grenache grown in the USA are on this estate." (08/2010)

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2016 Cayuse "Impulsivo" Walla Walla Valley Tempranillo

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Varietal:

Tempranillo

- A very important red grape varietal that's native to Northern Spain, grown across the north and central regions of the country. Low in acid and alcohol, with subtle strawberry, leather and tobacco notes, the grape responds well to oak aging and plays particularly well with others. Tempranillo is an important component, when combined with Garnacha, Mazuelo, Viura and Graciano, of Rioja, with the best examples coming for the cooler, higher-elevation regions like Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. It is also grown in significant quantities in the Ribera del Duero where it is called Tinto Fino and Penèdes where it is called Ull de Llebre o Ojo de Llebre. Tempranillo hasn't gained a particularly strong foothold outside of Spain, achieving some success under the name Tinto Roriz in Portugal. There it is used as a component of Port and in the table wines of the Ribera del Duero and the Dão.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

Washington

- Washington has become one of the most important wine producing states in the United States, and development continues to grow rapidly. In 1969, when California was exploding as a wine producer, Washington had only two wineries, but by 2000 that number had passed 100. Most of Washington's grape crop goes to uses other than wine. Merlot and Chardonnay have been the most successful in Washington. It's interesting to note that Washington's prime wine regions are located at 46° north, along the same latitude as the legendary French wine districts of Bordeaux and Burgundy. During the summer, Washington averages more than two hours more sunlight each day compared to California.