Ratings & Tasting Notes:
97 points Jeb Dunnuck
Review Date: 05/2021
A beautiful as well as a classic expression of this cuvée, the 2018 Syrah Armada Vineyard reveals a medium ruby/plum color that’s almost translucent. This is followed by a big, exotic, Rocks-driven nose of blackcurrants, sweet mulch, violets, bacon fat, charcoal, and exotic spices (among other things). Incredibly complex aromatically, with plenty of savory herb, graphite, and earthy notes, it nevertheless has a wonderful core of sweet fruit. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with ripe tannins, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and terrific balance, it opens up nicely with air and will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age. It’s capable of evolving for two decades. This is a hard mailing list to crack, yet winemaker Christophe Baron continues to deliver the goods, releasing singular, exotic, incredible wines from his bevy of single vineyards in the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley.
97 points Vinous
Review Date: 10/2021
The 2018 Syrah Armada Vineyard is a stunning showing from this warm vintage. The nose comes off very earthy, presenting peat moss and forest floor alongside a core of hoisin sauce and huckleberry. The palate shows mouth-coating tannins, bright acidity and a brilliant collection of wild blackberry, black currants, smoked meats, white pepper and gobs of minerality. The combination of verve, earthy tones and black fruits is brilliant. (OB)
Cult Wines International Notes:
Cayuse Vineyards, established in 1997 by Christophe Baron, is a foundational estate in the Walla Walla Valley, renowned for its radical, terroir-driven philosophy. Baron, a native of Champagne, famously discovered an ancient, cobble-covered riverbed in the Milton-Freewater Rocks District that mirrored the legendary soils of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Armada Vineyard, planted in 2001, serves as the heart of his high-density, biodynamic viticulture. By forcing vines to struggle within these basalt-rich, stone-heavy soils, Baron captures a distinct, savory “umami” profile that has redefined American Syrah. Minimalist cellar practices, including the use of neutral Rostaing puncheons and indigenous fermentations, ensure the wine remains a pure, unadulterated expression of its stony origins.
The 2018 growing season in the Walla Walla Valley was a classic, balanced year that provided the ideal conditions for Armada’s unique micro-terroir. After a standard winter, the region experienced a warm spring that encouraged healthy, even bud break and flowering. A sustained, temperate summer—free from the extreme heat spikes that can strip Syrah of its aromatic complexity—allowed the grapes to develop deep phenolic ripeness while retaining the hallmark vibrant acidity and “mineral nerve” of the site. The slow, steady accumulation of flavor precursors during the long, cool nights of late summer ensured that the 2018 harvest was both physiologically mature and structurally elegant. This resulted in a Syrah of remarkable depth, showcasing an expansive, savory character and a lifted, focused tension that is characteristic of a truly harmonious vintage.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Outstanding condition.
Please note: The condition of the bottle you will receive is accurately reflected by the one shown in the images.
