Cayuse Cailloux Vineyard Viognier 2017
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Christophe’s first Walla Walla Valley vineyard, this 10-acre plot was Cayuse's first vineyard planted in the stones of Milton Freewater in 1997, and produces the flagship Cailloux Syrah.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Viognier Cailloux Vineyard was fermented in a mix of concrete and stainless steel, and was brought up with no oak, which is a stylistic change that started in 2010 or 2011. It has beautiful purity and freshness, with attractive tart pineapple, pear, white flower, and a gorgeous salinity on the finish. Medium-bodied, so pure and seamless, it's a thrilling Viognier.
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James Suckling
A rich and ripe style with plenty of apricot and peach-pastry and a richly flavored palate that is delivered with very silky, smooth texture. This is all concrete egg and stainless steel and no oak. Holds the freshness well. Drink now.
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Wine Enthusiast
Outrageous aromas of freshly cut white peach, nectarine, wet stone and honeysuckle lead to intensely flavorful peach and apricot notes that retain a sense of deftness. The finish persists an easy 30 seconds. It brings impressive energy, balance and intensity. To those who don’t believe minerality exists, this wine serves as a counterpoint to the argument.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Viognier Cailloux Vineyard doesn’t see any oak during fermentation or élevage. Dusty florals with soft peach and fresh lemon tones can be found on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, the wine shows more mineral tension on the palate and focuses on precision and balance, which tames some of the Viognier's naturally robust structure so that the expression is not overdone. It ends with a long and thoughtful finish, showing impressive restraint and finesse. Only 151 cases were made.
Other Vintages
2019-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker -
Jeb
Dunnuck
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
An adventure in the new world
Christophe Baron grew up among the vineyards and cellars of his family's centuries-old Champagne house, Baron Albert. His sense of adventure, however, led him to become the first Frenchman to establish a winery in Washington State.
While visiting the Walla Walla Valley in 1996, Christophe spotted a plot of land that had been plowed up to reveal acres of softball-sized stones. This stony soil, this terroir, was just like that of some of the most prestigious French appellations. The difficult ground would stress the grapevines, making them produce more mature, concentrated fruit.
He named his vineyard after the Cayuse, a Native American tribe whose name was taken from the French cailloux--which means, rocks. Hours of back-breaking work later, Cayuse Vineyards has become five vineyards encompassing 41 acres.
The majority is planted with Syrah, and the rest dedicated to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, Tempranillo and Viognier. All of the vineyards are planted in rocky earth within the Walla Walla Valley appellation. Cayuse was the first winery in Washington State to use biodynamic farming methods.
Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.
Responsible for some of Washington’s most highly acclaimed wines, the Walla Walla Valley has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years and is home to both historic wineries and younger, up-and-coming producers.
The Walla Walla Valley, a Native American name meaning “many waters,” is located in southeastern Washington; part of the appellation actually extends into Oregon. Soils here are well-drained, sandy loess over Missoula Flood deposits and fractured basalt.
It is a region perfectly suited to Rhône-inspired Syrahs, distinguished by savory notes of red berry, black olive, smoke and fresh earth. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot create a range of styles from smooth and supple to robust and well-structured. White varieties are rare but some producers blend Sauvignon Blanc with Sémillon, resulting in a rich and round style, and plantings of Viognier, while minimal, are often quite successful.
Of note within Walla Walla, is one new and very peculiar appellation, called the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. This is the only AVA in the U.S. whose boundaries are totally defined by the soil type. Soils here look a bit like those in the acclaimed Rhône region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but are large, ancient, basalt cobblestones. These stones work in the same way as they do in Chateauneuf, absorbing and then radiating the sun's heat up to enhance the ripening of grape clusters. The Rocks District is within the part of Walla Walla that spills over into Oregon and naturally excels in the production of Rhône varieties like Syrah, as well as the Bordeaux varieties.