2007 Cayuse Syrah Armada Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2007 Syrah Armada Vineyard is simultaneously one of the most youthful wines in this tasting and also the most complete, unfurling in the glass with a savory bouquet of black truffle, bitter chocolate, cassis and other dark fruits. On the palate, the wine is both more expansive and more incisive than the 2008, its lavish, textural attack segueing into a deep, stony and layered mid-palate. The finish is sapid, even saline and very long. Aged in demi-muids, one of which is new, the 2007 finished up with 14.2% alcohol. Baron is planning to release a small tranche of library wines this June, so members of the Cayuse mailing list shouldn't hesitate to snap up a few bottles if they can.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Deep, bright red-ruby. Pungent aromas of black pepper, smoke, flint and dark raspberry. Super-silky and concentrated, with a texture that's simultaneously chewy and seamless. The intense blackberry flavor is lifted by strong black pepper and garrigue notes that carry through to the extremely long, gripping finish. This syrah's lovely combination of sweet dark berry fruit and saline character makes it a very satisfying and complex drink.
A big, meaty Syrah, the 2007 Cayuse Armada Vineyard sports gamey aromatics of peppered steak, cedar, bacon and assorted butcher shop notes. Edgy underlying minerality comes out with air. On the palate the wine is medium to full bodied with firm, focused texture, impressive fruit and a long finish. This should drink well over the next 10 to 12 years.