Ratings & Tasting Notes:
95 points Vinous
Review Date: 12/2024
The 2021 Camaspelo opens with a mentholated freshness, blending blackcurrants with dried herbs, tobacco and split pine. It washes across the palate with velvety textures offset by a core of tart red and black fruits as rosy inner florals and fine tannins mingle toward the close. The 2021 finishes structured, long and youthfully dry with hints of cocoa and steely minerals that linger on. More time in the cellar will pay dividends. (EG)
95 points Wine Enthusiast
Review Date: 07/2024
Cabernet Sauvignon-driven, the Camaspelo opens with dried cherry and orange-pith aromas that complement a background note of freshly sliced jamon. Acidity and tannins are of the silky variety, with cherry phosphate, dark-chocolate and rooibos tea flavors that take their time finishing. (MA)
Cult Wines International Notes:
Cayuse Vineyards, founded in 1997 by the visionary French vigneron Christophe Baron, is an iconic cornerstone of the Walla Walla Valley. Baron was captivated by a desolate patch of land covered in “galets”—massive, smooth basalt cobblestones that reminded him of the stony terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. He became the first in the modern era to realize the potential of these rocky riverbeds, naming his estate after the local Cailloux (stones) and the Cayuse Native American tribe. The estate is farmed entirely by biodynamic principles with a strict minimal-intervention philosophy. While famous for Syrah, Baron also excels with Bordeaux varieties, exemplified by Camaspelo. Named after a historic Nez Perce chief, this blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon mixed with Merlot, sourced largely from the stony Cailloux and En Cerise vineyards, resulting in a remarkably savory, Old World-style interpretation of Washington fruit.
The 2021 growing season in the Walla Walla Valley was defined by extreme, historic heat and incredibly low yields, resulting in fruit of monumental concentration. The vintage was shaped by an unprecedented “heat dome” in late June, which accelerated the vine cycle and kept berry sizes remarkably small with thick skins. While the conditions demanded rigorous vineyard management, the ancient stones of the Cayuse vineyards provided their signature radiant heat, allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to reach a state of opulent, flawless phenolic ripeness. Harvest arrived exceptionally early to preserve the natural, vibrant acidity needed to balance the vintage’s deep power. The 2021 Camaspelo is a stunning success, marrying the estate’s signature savory complexities of fire ash, peat, and brine with a core of explosive, dark fruit that reflects the sheer intensity of a remarkable sun-drenched year.
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.
