97 points Int’l Wine Review
Review Date: 10/2022
The 2019 Cayuse ‘God Only Knows’ is once again a stunning wine from Christophe Baron, made from mostly Grenache that was sourced from the Armarda vineyard, situated on the ancient riverbed of the walla walla river. This immediately grabs your attention with its absolutely gorgeous aromas of raspberries and dark cherries which come together with dried florals, wet stones, spices and hints of grilled herbs all coming together in the glass. This is exudes class and refinement, as it possesses a wonderful silky texture that glides seamlessly across the palate. It continues to thoroughly impress as it displays remarkable overall balance and finesse, along with incredible freshness that persists all the way through the precise finish. This is already utterly captivating in its youth, however it should go on to age beautifully over the course of the next decade and beyond. (JD)

96 points Decanter

Review Date: 03/2023
Full-bodied, with plentiful sweet raspberry fruit. The whole-bunch element is controlled here, it’s embedded into the wine and not excessive. Fresh herbal notes on the nose and palate, this is tightly wound for now but highly promising. Well balanced, not huge or massively concentrated – expect a charming, unoaked wine without excessive alcohol. Very good. (MW)

96 points Jeb Dunnuck
Review Date: 07/2022
The 2019 Grenache God Only Knows is another gorgeous example of this wine that has a style all its own. Revealing a translucent ruby hue as well as a kaleidoscope-like bouquet of ripe cherries, blackberries, forest floor, spring flowers, and charcoal, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a silky, seamless mouthfeel, perfect balance, and a great finish. This exotic, perfumed Grenache is a hypothetical mix of a Grand Cru from the Côte de Nuits and a 100% Grenache Châteauneuf from sandy soils. It should cruise in the cellar for 10-15 years.

96 points James Suckling
Review Date: 08/2022
Aromas of plump red fruit with a wonderful array of herbs and spice. Medium-bodied with bright, well-balanced acidity that carries the fruit effortlessly. Refreshing, fine tannins. So much complexity coming from the ground and whole spices. I like the note of dried roses and violets. A total delight. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Cayuse Vineyards, founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, is the defining force behind the unique terroir of the Walla Walla Valley’s “Rocks District of Milton-Freewater.” Baron, a sixth-generation vigneron from Champagne, discovered the site while searching for stony soils reminiscent of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The vineyard is famously blanketed in massive, ancient basalt cobbles that retain heat and force the vines to struggle, resulting in wines defined by a distinct “savory” profile—often described as having notes of garrigue, smoked meat, and iron. The “God Only Knows” Grenache is sourced from the estate’s Armada Vineyard, a high-density planting that exemplifies Baron’s biodynamic, non-interventionist philosophy. This wine has achieved cult status by proving that Walla Walla can produce Grenache with a structural complexity and “umami” depth that rivals the best of the Southern Rhône.

The 2019 growing season in the Pacific Northwest was marked by a moderate, steady pace that favored finesse over sheer power. After a cool, wet spring that provided excellent soil moisture, the summer temperatures remained consistent and relatively mild, avoiding the extreme heat spikes that can sometimes accelerate ripening too quickly. This allowed for an extended “hang time,” enabling the Grenache grapes to develop deep phenolic maturity and aromatic intensity while preserving their natural acidity and structural balance. Harvest occurred in late September and October under ideal, dry conditions. The 2019 “God Only Knows” displays the signature savory intensity of the Armada site but with a refined, lifted freshness and a silky, crystalline texture that reflects one of the most balanced and elegant vintages in recent years for Cayuse.