En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah

Produced: 2002 - present

Professional reviews and tasting notes from prior vintages added as published (scores within parentheses indicate barrel samples):

2021

96 Points. Olives in brine, chiles, pink and green peppercorns and charred rosemary on the nose. Follows through to a meaty, smoky and seriously savory palate. Some iron and rust. Medium- to full-bodied with grip and tension. Brooding. Around 70% whole cluster. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best after 2027. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

2020

96 Points. The 2020 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is youthfully restrained, with a savory blend of cured meat, bacon fat, exotic spice and candied orange. This is savory, nearly sultry in style, with a salty flourish up front giving way to violet-laced black fruits and sour citrus. The 2020 finishes tannic and with a bitter tinge, leaving a chalky coating on the palate as tart blackberry notes fade. Today, the En Chamberlin holds its power in reserve. There is a very bright future here. —Eric Guido, Vinous

96 Points. The 2020 En Chamberlin Vineyard from Cayuse is a scintillating 100% Syrah that is aged for 18 months in 15-20% new French oak barrels. More red and blue fruit dominated at first but quickly moves to more meaty and salty components like black olive tapenade and black-peppered salumi. I love the lustrous and smooth palate that ends with that perfect level of funk that I find in wines made in the area. Just 408 cases were crafted. Highly recommended. —Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

96 Points. ...the nose is absolutely popping with bright red cherry and red raspberry, garrigue and stony notes alongside shades of charcuterie. The palate comes off very polished and viscous with serious verve and a gorgeous core of red and dark fruits. With more air this becomes more stony and savory, with salted green olive and white pepper notes as this beauty is going to gratify now and over the next few years. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

95 Points. Ripe black raspberries, iodine, spring flowers, gamey meats, and pepper all emerge from the 2020 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard, a deeper, broader, medium to full-bodied Syrah with ripe, rounded tannins, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length. This meaty, gamey, complex, classic Cayuse Syrah is already approachable today but will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 15+. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

95 Points. Roasted thyme, gravy, salted plums, porcini mushrooms, mocha, black pudding and charred bark on the nose. Intense, ashy and meaty, with a medium- to full-bodied palate containing powerful smoky elements, all underpinned by firm and tight tannins. From biodynamically grown grapes. Try in 2024. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

2019

99 Points. And my top choice of the range this year is the 2019 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard. It has an impressive array of aromas on the nose with nuances of a butcher shop, dusty dark-fruited essence, sausage, sawdust and elegant purple flowers. The wine is a masterclass in the expression of site, with a focused frame of black raspberry and blackberry fruit tones and spicy and meaty flavors that sway with a savory essence. Medium to full-bodied, the wine continues to grow in complexity, revealing layers as it somersaults to a long, winding and ever-evolving finish with lasting flavors of bacon brulé... I can’t put down my glass. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

99 Points. Gorgeous Bing cherry and blueberry fruits as well as tobacco, peppery herbs, iron, and mushroom notes all emerge from the 2019 En Chamberli,in another medium to full-bodied, incredibly seamless, flawlessly balanced Syrah in the lineup. I love the overall mix of savory, classic Rocks style with its beautiful core of fruit, and it has incredible tannins, beautiful balance, and a great, great finish. Flirting with perfection, this straight-up incredible Syrah will evolve nicely for 25 years or more. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

97+ Points. Dark, brooding almost animalistic in the glass, the 2019 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard grumbles up with a savory mix of plum sauce, sage and scorched earth. While silky and supple on the palate, it slowly saturates with mineral-laden dark red berries complicated by green olive and savory spice; yet through it all, an inner sweetness keeps me coming back for more. This tapers off structured, potent and long, teasing the senses with a reverberation of residual acidity, as hints of salted licorice and spiced citrus peels slowly fade. En Chamberlin is youthfully poised and possesses an Old-World feel. Lose your bottles in the cellar for a number of years. The 2019 is a sultry showstopper! —Eric Guido, Vinous

97 Points. A wine with dimension and detail, this Syrah is both structured and polished, with raspberry and blueberry flavors framed by river rock, black olive and bacon fat accents as this builds tension and richness toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator

96 Points. An intriguing nose of hot stone, rosemary and sliced plum. Medium-to full-bodied with soft tannins. Excellent spiced, herbal complexity. Pure, ripe red and black fruit that’s expertly balanced and expressive. Delicious finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

96 Points. Seriously good right now, the 2019 En Chamberlin Syrah was first produced in 2002, this is already beautifully evolved on the nose with burning cedar, cran-cherry, cigar box and Kalamata olives that all meld in the glass. Soft and downright delicious once on the mouth... this shows dense wild blackberry, smoked meats, worn leather and gravel tones that make this impossible to resist right now. Give this about 30 minutes of air and watch it unwind. Drink 2022-2032. —Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

2018

99 Points. Lots of Graves-like smoked earth, tobacco, and cold fireplace notes emerge from the 2018 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard. It shows more classic gamey Syrah notes with air, offering ample amounts of bloody blue fruits, iron, and peppered meat nuances. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and nicely concentrated on the palate, with gorgeous tannins, it has the purity and elegance that's the hallmark of the vintage, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's just another spectacular, singular Syrah from this estate that will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 20+ years. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

97 Points. The 2018 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is a blockbuster wine that is already showing brilliantly in its third year. The nose is decisively filled with charcuterie tones alongside orange rind, bacon fat, black currants and black olive tapenade. The palate is dense and chewy, delivering smoky and savory tones, beautiful tension and gobs of mouthwatering acidity. The freshness and weight of the wine really entice. This beautiful wine has another decade to go. —Owen Bargreen, Vinous

96 Points. An intense, richly flavorful red with aromas of dried violets, raspberries, currants, porcini, barbecued meat, cloves and cumin. It’s full-bodied and chewy with tight, sleek tannins framing a concentrated, spiced and earthy core. Chocolate. Keeps going. Try from 2022. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

95+ Points. Boasting a firm, dense and serious nose, the 2018 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard expresses notions of peppered beef jerky, cured venison, roasted plum and wilted lavender in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is sturdy and broad with elements of crème de cassis, bone broth, impressive mineral tension and healthy tannins that grip the gumline. It concludes with a long, lingering and subtly smoked finish… Let this one rest for another year in the cellar before opening, and drink through the next decade and a half. Decanting is recommended. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

95 Points. A distinctive style, showing richness and detail, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors gathering accents of crushed rock and smoky white pepper on the way to polished tannins. Drink now through 2030. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator

2017

97 Points. The 2017 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is unmistakable on the nose, boasting an intensely framed Syrah that offers up generous and juicy dark fruit, framed by meaty, umami and savory expressions of olive tapenade, black pepper and charcuterie before drifting back to aromas of violets and lavender. Full-bodied and firmly structured, the wine is built like a tank, revealing layers of complexity and elegance that are supported by fine-grained tannins and rocky minerality across the mid-palate. With power and finesse, the wine somersaults in the mouth, before leading to a long, impressive conclusion that continues to develop in length. Only 365 cases were produced of this stellar wine. Yum! —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

96 Points. This red shows lots of smoked meat and spices, as well as dried-strawberry and raspberry character. Full-bodied, yet not overpowering, with creamy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Tightens at the end. Shows focus and intensity. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

95 Points. More tapenade, dried herbs, chocolate, sweet mulch, and sweet black fruits emerge … a medium to full-bodied, ripe, powerful 2017. With building tannins, a plump, expansive mid-palate, plenty of classic Rocks funk… —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

94 Points. Shows fine detail and expression, with vibrant blueberry and raspberry flavors, accented by bacon fat, crushed stone and olive notes that gather richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2029. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator

2016

97 Points. The 2016 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard has a black-fruited nose with dense aromatics that are heady and smoky. This has a big-shouldered expression on the palate, with a richly structured focus that seems to have no end. Robust and generous, the black-fruited core lingers on the extended finish with the weight of a masculine wine. A whole minute has passed, yet the dense and chewy expression remains on the palate with ripe tannins, black olives and smoked blackberries... it's your lucky day when you end up with some in your glass. —Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate

97 Points. Incredibly northern Rhône-like, with beautiful raspberry, crushed flowers, smoked meats, and fireplace notes, the 2016 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is full-bodied, fleshy, and incredibly sexy on the palate, with serious depth of fruit. It’s a gorgeous, Côte Brune-like effort to drink over the coming 15-20 years. —Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

97 Points. The aromas are exuberant, with a seemingly endless list of savory notes that include mineral, funk, potpourri, freshly ground black pepper, firepit, black olive and smoked ham, revealing more on each swirl. Intensely rich but still elegant, graceful savory and floral flavors follow. The savory and potpourri-filled finish goes on for 60-plus seconds. It's an accomplishment. It's irresistible now but will be best after 2025 with a long life in front of it. —Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

94+ Points. …Smoky aromas of raspberry, cherry, cured meats, soy sauce and chimney soot, accented by spices and flowers. Plush on entry, then surprisingly penetrating in the middle palate… This salty, thick, impressively dense wine boasts impressive energy … Finishes classically dry, with rising, palate-staining chocolate-truffle length and a treble note of red licorice… —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

94 Points. This has a very expressive feel with a mix of sweet and savory notes, including leather, game, blackberries, pepper and a hint of balsamic. The palate has roundness that really charms and delivers a smooth, layered and curvaceously seductive feel. Spicy and meaty. Drink now or hold. —James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

94 Points. Elegantly structured, yet plump with personality, showing expressive raspberry, bacon fat and crushed rock tones that glide on the long finish toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2027. —Tim Fish, Wine Spectator

2015

(96-98) Points. Tasting like a top Côte Rôtie from the Côte Brune side of the appellation, the 2015 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard just screams “Syrah!” with its huge nose of tapenade, pepper, bloody meat and dark fruit. Despite the masculine style on the nose, it’s silky and polished on the palate, with fine tannin, no hard edges and blockbuster length. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

2014

96+ Points. The 358-case 2014 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard (100% Syrah aged in 10-15% new 600-liter barrels) is a downright meaty, peppery effort that's reminiscent of walking into a butcher shop in the South of France. Wood smoke, black cherry, teriyaki and layers of peppered meat give way to a rich and layered yet still fresh and lightly textured beauty. With fine tannin and an inherent elegance on the palate, give bottles 2-3 years to fill out and drink over the following decade. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

2013

96 Points. A wine that continued to change and develop in the glass was the 2013 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard, which is the smallest production cuvee of the 2013 single vineyard releases (there’s 340 cases). Notes of smoke, charcuterie, black olives, black pepper and violets all emerge from this complex, layered, full-bodied beauty that has fine tannin, a seamless, elegant texture and beautiful length. Give bottles a few years and drink through 2033. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

95 Points. Good dark red. Kinky, wild, Old World scents of elderberry, bacon fat, game and flint. Wonderfully silky, round and glyceral but also extremely youthful, offering flavors of raspberry, brown spices, rare steak and smoky minerality; not a floral style. Finishes fleshy, broad and extremely long, with plush, harmonious tannins. —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

93 Points. Generous, round and expressive, open-textured and distinctive, with smoky dried blueberry and tapenade flavors, balancing harmoniously against nubby tannins on the long finish. Drink now through 2023. 340 cases made. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2012

96 Points. The dark ruby, opaque 2012 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard is a classic example of this vineyard. Gamy, complex and nuanced, with lots of olive tapenade, ground herbs, charcoal and wood smoke, as well as a beautiful core of dark fruit, it has full-bodied richness, building tannin, and a light, elegant texture. One of the more approachable 2012s from Christophe, it still doesn't lack for tannic grip. It offers plenty of pleasure now, but should have 15 years or more of longevity. —Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

94+ Points. Medium bright red, a bit less saturated than the Cailloux and en Cerise. Extravagant varietally expressive aromas of raspberry, charred meat and duck fat. Dense, thick and plump but also quite firm, with multidimensional flavors of raspberry, blackberry, black cherry and licorice saturating the palate and building slowly on the very long back end. Boasts a lovely restrained sweetness, as well as more lift than some recent decadent vintages for this bottling. —Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

93 Points. Tapenade, sassafras and tarry aromatics and flavors combine to give this richly decadent style extra depth, centering on black cherry fruit at the core. Has great presence and a distinctive profile. Drink now through 2022. 349 cases made. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2011

95+? Points. Explosive aromas and flavors of raspberry, smoked meat, woodsmoke, bacon fat, truffle and black olive, along with notes of minerals and bloody steak. Densely packed but juicy and almost magically light on its feet, with strong smoky minerality contributing to the impression of inner-mouth tension. Like a great Cote-Rotie in its sappiness and spicy lift. Finishes with a whiplash of flavor and subtle building length. –Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

95 Points. Almost always the most wild and exotic, the 2011 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard doesn’t disappoint with its iron, peat moss, flowers and blackberry and currant-style fruit. Savory, medium to full-bodied, nicely structured and with notable structure, it should be at its best from 2018-2028. –Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

94 Points.Dark and brooding, this offers a roiling mix of smoke, tarry blackberry, lavender and tapenade flavors, lingering on the expressive finish against polished tannins. Not at all heavy. Think roasted lamb. Drink now through 2021. 339 cases made.–Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2010

96+ Points. A 100% Syrah and always the most exotic and wild of the lineup, the 2010 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard has the Cayuse peat moss, iodine, underbrush, olive brine and gamey qualities on full display. Blossoming in the glass and showing a core of sweet fruit, it has a rich, substantial feel on the palate with a concentrated, full-bodied mouthfeel, brilliant mid-palate depth and a focused, detailed finish that carries ample finely polished tannin. Very gamey and bloody on the palate, this singular beauty will be better in another year or three and thrill for 15 years or more. Drink now-2025. –Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

96 Points. Supple, expressive and round, layering black currant, dark plum, black tea, tamarind and black olive flavors over a sensuous bed of plush tannins. Shows intensity and presence. Drink now through 2020. 316 cases made. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2009

99 Points. In a vintage that produced the finest overall lineup of Cayuse wines to date, it may seem a little nit-picky to score some higher and some lower. But the En Chamberlin deserves first place again. Brilliant aromatics of smoked meat, bacon fat and otherworldly roasted accents seduce instantly. Once on the palate, the silky, balanced, near-perfect mix of umami and fruit, plus licorice, cassis, coffee liqueur and black tea notes suggest it’s as decadent as it is delicious. –Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast

97 Points. Smoky evocations of peat and black tea along with pungent, well-hung gaminess are what first tweak the nose from Baron’s 2009 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard, followed by high-toned candied lemon and orange rind; bittersweet distilled floral essences; and evocations of kirsch and framboise eau de vie, a wealth of aromatic constituents that may well arise from the relative coolness and long hang time of this site. Bourcier suggests that there might be something about the 2009 growing season that particularly favors this vineyard, and it sure tastes that way to me! Its soaring and penetrating smoky and high-toned intensity seems to billow across the palate, where dark cherry and plum preserves mingle with marrowy rich meaty savor. Salt and crystalline impingements so vivid one seldom associates their like with red wine, lead to a finish that leaves my mouth tingling and my salivary glands helplessly stuck wide-open. (“Long hang time:” could have been a reference to my tongue on Chamberlin.) Above all, this wine is just plain mysterious, not only in the intrigue of its flavors, but in engendering wonder as to how it manages to taste as it does. Baron’s response to that thought is (no doubt but half in jest): “The monks and nuns of Cayuse need their own thousand years to figure that out!” Follow at least one or two bottles – assuming you’re lucky enough for this to be possible – well into their second decade. –David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

96 Points. Rich and velvety, offering a complex mouthful of dark plum, blackberry, black olive, smoke and spice flavors that persist on the long, expressive finish. Offers depth and subtlety to go with its power. Drink now through 2019. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

95(+?) Points. Good medium red. Knockout nose combines blackberry, smoke, crushed-rock minerality, tarragon and spices; reminded me of La Landonne. Incredibly sweet, fat and deep but given a firm edge and an intense spiciness from the fermentation with stems (Baron used 30% to 40% whole clusters for his 2009 syrahs). At once opulent and succulent. The rising, very long finish displays subtle, suave, dusty tannins and uncanny sweetness of fruit. Wow! –Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

2008

98 Points. The 2008 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah offers up notes of tar, licorice, earthy minerals, blueberry, and blackberry. Dense and powerful on the palate, this appears to be Baron's take on Hermitage. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

96 Points. A huge wine, fat with the characteristic Cayuse funk, and accented with plenty of meaty asphalt. Potent and powerful, bursting with berries and plums, scented with the aromas of earth and sweet (not dried) herb, chicken stock and flavors that run through the same exotic range. Round and full, forward and balanced, drinking well and maybe just a bit rounder than its brethren. –Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast

93 Points. Bright, deep ruby-red. Captivating aromas of boysenberry and mocha. Dense, sweet and savory, with exotic flavors of candied blackberry, hickory-smoked meat and leather. The thickness of this syrah is nicely leavened by harmonious, ripe acidity. Finishes with perfectly integrated acidity and palate-staining richness. –Steven Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

2007

100 Points. In a stunning lineup of Cayuse Syrahs, the En Chamberlin wins by a nose. It's smooth and silky, with a tongue-bending blend of flavors that include blood and iron, umami and salt, at first overtaking the pure fruit, but adding tremendous depth and power. the endless finish unfolds into a wine with exotic spices and complex layering. –Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast

98 Points. The 2007 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is even more complex aromatically with its notes of crushed stone, smoked meat, espresso, truffle, blueberry, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, ripe, intensely flavored yet elegant, it has a 60-second finish that is pure silk. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

94 Points. Supple, silky and tightly focused, offering a sleek mouthful of juicy plum, blackberry and licorice flavors, picking up mineral notes of wet slate and crushed brick as the finish sails on and on. This is almost delicate in its deft balance, but has great intensity. Drink now through 2020. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2006

98 Points. The 2006 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is even more complex aromatically (perhaps kinky is a better word) with its notes of crushed stone, smoked meat, well-aged game, blueberry, and black raspberry. Full-bodied, ripe, intensely flavored yet elegant, it has a 60-second finish that is pure silk. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

93 Points. Silky and distinctive, showing earthy, spicy overtones to the central theme of boysenberry and pomegranate fruit, centering on cherry as the finish lingers enticingly. There's a beautifully polished texture. Best from 2011 through 2018. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2005

98 Points. The 2005 Syrah En Chamberlin is opaque purple with notes of bacon, meat, and blueberry. Totally seamless on the palate, there is plenty of craftily concealed tannin. The wine can be enjoyed now but will be so much better with another 6-8 years of cellaring. Dense and packed, the finish lasts for well over a minute. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

94 Points. The Cayuse 2005 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard – from what Baron describes as “a normal vintage for Washington: not too hot, but ripe; (En Chamberlin Syrah having been) picked the third week of September; and the first at our new facility and with indigenous yeasts” – features strongly bittersweet, medicinal iodine- and alkali-tinged herbal and dark berry essences along with savory, smoky evocations of roasted poultry pan drippings. Its diversity; seamlessness; almost oily richness of texture; and finishing crescendo are utterly striking... –David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate

94 Points. Smooth and velvety, with a definite black olive note weaving through the blackberry, plum and white pepper flavors, which keep growing as the finish persists. Deft and filled with personality, this has plenty of power to age gracefully. Drink now through 2015. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2004

97 Points. The 2004 Syrah "En Chamberlin Vineyard" is Cote-Rotie-like in its racy style. Beautifully perfumed with aromas of bacon, sausage, truffle, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur, this super-concentrated effort is impeccably structured for the long haul. It has enough succulence to provide pleasure now but it merits 8-10 years in the bottle to fully express itself. Patient pleasure-seekers will enjoy this wine through 2040. –Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

94 Points. Superpolished, big and ripe. A lavish mouthful of cherry and plum, with a whole shelf of fresh spices that sail on and on. An earthy note adds interest to the aromas, and a distinct mineral undertone emerges strongly as the finish persists beautifully. Drink now through 2014. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

2003

92 Points. Ruby-red. Knockout nose combines dark berries, gunflint, coffee, smoked meat and a floral element. Densely packed and tactile, with a slightly salty character to the blackberry and floral flavors. A distinctly Old World style of syrah that conveys a high- pH mouth feel. –Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

92 Points. Sadly, there are but 369 cases of the outstanding 2003 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard. This wine’s aromas soar from the glass, displaying black raspberries, spicy tangerine skins, and horse sweat. Medium to full-bodied and suave, it coats the taster’s palate with deep layers of satiny cassis and leather-like flavors. In addition, this outstanding effort reveals a lengthy, fruit-filled, silky finish with notes of horse hide and black raspberries. Drink this wonderful Syrah over the next 5-6 years. –Pierre Rovani, The Wine Advocate

94 Points. Plush and dense with exotic spice and stone overtones to the plum and cherry flavors, a mouth filling red that coats the palate with soft, silky tannins and then drenches it with flavor. The finish sails on and on. Best from 2007 through 2015. –Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

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