A good excuse to watch the Vikings Game and drink some really good wines. I recommend forming your own group of like minded wine drinkers in 2020 and expand your wine knowledge through tasting. The advantage of everyone bringing a bottle is you get to taste several more expensive wines without forking out big money. If a local wine educator put something like this together you would be paying $150 to $200 per person.
The Wines
2010 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses – France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru (1/11/2020)
Great showing. Love seeing the synthetic cork closure. Minerals, shells, lemon and spice. Polarizing acidity and medium plus finish. This wine should age for another 5 years however it is excellent now so unless you have several bottles left drink on the shorter end of that time frame. Wow my note from 15 said too young and revisit in 4 years. Well five close enough. (93 points)
2008 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Homer Shea Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (1/11/2020)
If you are looking for Oregon classic Pinot character you are in the wrong place. This is a big style Pinot and was more concentrated than the two Cayuse wines. Cranberry, smoked meats, pepper and dark fruits. Almost Syrah like and not talking about the elegant versions you would find from Cayuse or Northern Rhone. I would avoid this if you are looking for balance and acidity. Looks like almost all the notes same the same thing which is big wine. (91 points)
2012 Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (1/11/2020)
Decanted this wine 2.5 hours. This definitely was tight on the opening so decanting is a must. Beautiful wine with floral, stone, white pepper, olives, gravel, sour cherries and blueberries. Very elegant and medium plus finish. Does not have the funk quality of other Cayuse wines I have sampled. Purchased bottle at Chicago Wine Company. This wine will benefit from another 5 to 10 years in the cellar. 94-96 points (94 points)
2014 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley (1/11/2020)
Decanted 2 hours. Also did not posses the classic funk. White pepper, violets, raspberries, minerals, graphite and earth. Very Northern Rhone like and drinking exceptionally well right now. This has aging potential and could go through 2030. (94 points)
2001 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de mon Aïeul – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (1/11/2020)
This wine was bigger in style than the 2 Cayuse wines hence last in order of the tasting. Black pepper, spice, dark fruits, earth and minerals. Not for the faint at heart. Medium to long finish. Should drink these up over the next few years as the acidity has faded. Solid wine. (92 points)
Love Cayuse Wines!