Cayuse, En Chamberlin Tempranillo Impulsivo, Walla Walla Valley

Third time tasted since 2018 and last bottle of this vintage. Still dark garnet and opaque, no browning at the edges. The nose is pure blackberry, without the roasted meat of their syrahs. The flavors are full-bodied and concentrated, also mostly blackberries, without much complexity or elegance. Moderate tannin is present but doesn't hinder the fruit. A bit bitter on the late palate and long aftertaste. Probably won't get any better; drink over the next year or two.

2011 vintage

ESTG does Blind Triples (Newcastle, WA) : Peppery, spice cake, sweet.

2011 vintage

This is Tempranillo but very much like their syrahs. Immediate pronounced aroma of grilled steak, earth, mushrooms, black fruits. Garnet and opaque but a hint of brown at the edge. Rich and full, meat and blackberry flavors, coats the palate, nicely balanced, with tannins resolved. Very long finish, with some anise. At its peak, ready to drink, will probably stay there for a few more years. Ric

2011 vintage

"This smells like meat," my wife said upon sniffing her first glass--always a harbinger of damn good times. This is alive with umami for sure; less spicy and stone-y than anything in Cayuse's Rhône line-up, but a softer (furrier?) kind of savory. I'm getting venison, I'm getting porcini. I'm getting a round, silky mouthfeel that reminds me of foie gras. I'm getting deep, dark fruit--blackberry SEEDS??--and an herbaceous tingle, almost like camphor. Those herbs really start to creep up through …

2011 vintage

Fortunately, my last bottle was like the last one, not the one prior to that. This, like the last, was singing upon opening. Dark ripe and intense, with gamey, meaty smokey more typical of Cayuse syrahs. Smooth and ripe on the palate with soft tannins, still juicy acidity. Lots of dark cherry and blackberry fruit, some meat, dark chocolate, but lacking a little on the finish. Very good, but not quite excellent.

2011 vintage

Tasty wine.

2011 vintage

Interesting scents of copper penny, rosehip, blueberry, beef juice and hot stone, plush with full body, blueberry, raspberry, leather, juicy cherry and cigar paper hints on the palate, fascinating, dark, drinking well now, complex

2011 vintage

This was better than the last bottle. Nicely expressive on opening, decanted a glass and poured another. Nice forward sweaty, meaty, dark cherry and blackberry fruit. Palate is full bodied, tannins are nicely resolved, some chocolate, some meat, some smoke, mushroom. This is really complex and interesting, especially on the palate, well rounded and delicious as well. Really excellent.

2011 vintage

Drinking well. Time to drink up.

2011 vintage

Drinking well.

2011 vintage

Drinking well. 2011 produced some interesting variations to the wines from Walla Walla.

2011 vintage

As delicious as the last bottle! Wonderful nose and palate with layers of dark fruit, minerality, and earthy notes that culminate in a silky smooth finish.

2011 vintage

Really nice Tempranillo and ready to drink.

2011 vintage

I will agree with the previous comments, this wine didn't have the exuberance of previous vintages I've tried. The funk was there, but it lacked the elegance and complexity. Not even close to the 2006 or 2008.

2011 vintage

A little disappointing to be honest. Lacking the exhuberant funk of other vintages. Was nicely ripe with good colour and deep fruit, just not singing. Slight funkiness, animal, sweat, leather on the finish. Maybe needs a little time.

2011 vintage

Wonderful nose and palate with layers of dark fruit, minerality, and earthy notes that culminate in a silky smooth finish.

2011 vintage

Similar notes to last summer. Flat out delicious. I think I will wait a good year before popping another.

2011 vintage

I didn't like this , too astringent , maybe it was off. I loved my prior few cayuse experiences but unfortunately not this one.

2011 vintage

Popped and poured (unfortunately). So tight and young (minds out of the gutter, gentlemen). Coiled up and ready to spring forth in about 5-7 years. Woodsmoke and plum on the nose with a healthy kick of structure in the mouth. Not tannin, mind you, but acid and verve from the cold vintage. This will take some time to unwind but when it does it could possibly be the best Impulsivo to date. 94++pts

2011 vintage

Wonderful Cayuse nose with layers of dark fruit, floral, and earthy notes on the palate which culminate in a silky smooth long finish. Paired beautifully with tapas from Meson Sabika.

2011 vintage

Wow is the best description. This is a wildly concentrated wine with a medium length finish, truncated a bit from the cool year perhaps? Or maybe it is just a baby, hard to say. '11's are tricky that way. I picked up a blast of iodine and wet leather (an interesting Friday night this will be!). Earth and crushed cherries. This went great with a wagyu burger. I think this will evolve for 5 years minimum but is tasting great …

2011 vintage

Drinking really well right now, dark fruit, squid ink but a more elegant style then previous vintages. If drink over the next five years

2011 vintage

Took this to Keen's Steakhouse and decanted and drank over the meal (porterhouse for 3 and sides). The nose was really humming right out of the gate. Very nice. Classic Cayuse funk but a lot of fruit as well. Went great with the steak, agree with others that this is the best Tempranillo being made in the U.S. Definitely can use some time, but this was complex and lots of layers, yet easy to drink and so smooth.

2011 vintage

Almost not fair to rate yet, as it was clearly way, way too young. It was completely closed and not giving much of anything other than some faint hints of what will be a typically good Cayuse nose. On the palate, again lots of hints of something that could be excellent, but not open for business yet.

2011 vintage

CORAVIN ACCESS #1 (MY VERY FIRST CORAVIN ACCESS) What better wine to be my first Coravin access at home. So so young, but couldn't wait to sample this Cayuse. Cloudy rich purple color with slight burgundy hue at rim. Nose is very complex. A lot going on. Savory smoked meat, rustic dirty red berries, smoke, tons of earth, dirty dirty spice and serious Cayuse funk. Stewed vegetables, radish, tomato and roasted red peppers. Again, really layered and complex. Some bitter …

2011 vintage

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Cayuse, En Chamberlin Tempranillo Impulsivo, Walla Walla Valley

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