Cayuse Syrah “Cailloux” 2022 — Tasting Notes

• On the nose: exploding florals (think honeysuckle, jasmine) and bright citrus lift (like pink grapefruit blossom), layered over darker aromas — roasted figs, smoked meats, and seaweed. 

• In the mouth: plush, generous fruit — boysenberry, blackberry — with savory accents of black olive, crushed herbs, and dark cocoa. 

• Texture & structure: built with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a mineral backbone (“stony” notes, crushed stone, gravely texture) that adds energy. 

• Finish: long, complex, layered — the finish brings out cracked pepper, earthy tones, dark fruit, and lingering florals. Opens well now but will gain depth with bottle age. 

🌱 Why Cailloux is Special & What Makes This Vintage Stand Out

• Terroir: The Cailloux Vineyard is known for its “stone-strewn” soils — lots of pebbles, fractured basalt, and well-drained ground. That rocky minerality shows through in the wine. 

• Blend technique: This Syrah is co-fermented with a small percentage of Viognier (around 5-6%) which adds floral lift and brightness without overwhelming the core Syrah character. 

• Vintage notes: 2022 is being praised as controlled yet expressive — lots of tension between ripe fruit and savory / earthy tones. Good structure, very promising for aging. Community feedback also notes that while it’s enjoyable now (especially with decanting) it will reward patience.