Cayuse Armada Syrah 2021

Cayuse Armada is a Syrah from the Walla Walla Valley, made by Christophe Baron, who trained in Bordeaux and Champagne before setting up Cayuse on a bed of riverbed cobblestones that reminded him of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Those round, fist-sized stones are the heart of the wine: they drain hard and force the vines to struggle, while soaking up the day's heat and releasing it overnight, which drives full ripeness and the dark, savoury character Walla Walla Syrah is known for. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, and the wine is aged 12 months in foudres, large old oak vessels that let the wine breathe and round its tannins without adding the vanilla and toast of new barrels, keeping the focus on fruit and place. The colour is deep, almost opaque purple. The nose is intense, with ripe plum and dark berries over black pepper, olive, smoke and a leathery, savoury note. The palate is full and concentrated, the tannins ripe, the finish long and peppery. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted, with grilled red meat or game.