{"product_id":"cayuse-vineyards-horsepower-high-contrast-vineyard-syarah-2023-walla-walla-oregon","title":"Cayuse Vineyards Horsepower High Contrast Vineyard Syrah 2023 (Walla Walla, Oregon) - [JD 100] [OB 97] [VM 96] [JS 96] [WS 95]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Winery:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHorsepower Vineyards is Christophe Baron's return to the farming traditions of his family's Champagne vineyards. Located in the Stones of the Walla Walla Valley, the estate uses draft horses to cultivate tightly spaced vineyards that tractors cannot readily navigate. Baron, who also founded Cayuse Vineyards, farms Horsepower biodynamically, without herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, chemical insecticides or fungicides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Vineyard:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHigh Contrast Vineyard follows the contour of the ancestral Walla Walla River and includes three acres of Syrah and one-third acre of Viognier. The vines are planted one per stake at a density of 3,555 vines per acre. The vineyard's name reflects the meeting of the valley's ancient cobblestones and surrounding silty loam. Horsepower has produced its High Contrast Vineyard Syrah since 2016.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRatings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I really loved this wine in 2022, and I love it just as much, if not more, with the 2023. Inky, dark, and brooding, the 2023 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard excels at capturing a wild place in a long vintage, with bright underlying acidity that complements the high-toned red fruit and citrus. There's grip to the tannins and tension for days, but the white and black pepper is what really captures its varietal perfection beside the beautiful perfume and undeniable complexity. This should age for decades; enjoy 2028-2043.\" -Virginie Boone (Apr 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - Owen Bargreen:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The 2023 Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this location that is set on both ancient cobblestones and silty loam soils. Stored for 15 months in natural oak, this shows good nerve on the mouth, loaded with stony character alongside sea salt dusted smoked meats, green peppercorns and shades of cassis and Arabica bean alongside loamy soils and Parma ham. Very meaty and stony, this is a gorgeous rendition of the wine that will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2025-2033.\" (Nov 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Vinous Media:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The 2023 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard starts out coy in the glass, wafting up notes of sweet smoke and violet pastille. Coaxing reveals a darker core of black cherries, cloves and cedar spice box. This wine is seductive in texture, silken and nearly weighty, with a solid core of ripe wild berry fruits for balance, all complicated by hints of tart citrus toward the close. It finishes with excellent length and poise, structured yet not severe, leaving nuances of tart blackberry and licorice to linger incredibly long. Drinking Window: 2028-2039.\" -Eric Guido (Jul 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - James Suckling:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Rich and savory, with aromas of umami, iron, graphite and grilled meat. Super minerally and intense, with lingering flavors of cocktail bitters and grapefruit pith. Drink or hold.\" (Apr 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - Wine Spectator:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A Syrah with verve and detail, this red offers handsome flavors of blackberry and blueberry framed by black olive, crushed stone and licorice notes that gather tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2037. 465 cases made.\" -Tim Fish (Nov 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInternational Wine Report:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ancient cobblestones and silty loam lend the 2023 High Contrast Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, its striking tension, framing a wine of formidable depth with uncommon lift. Raised for 15 months in neutral French oak, it opens with crushed basalt, charcuterie, black olive, roasted herbs, dusty earth, and a cool marine salinity that keeps its dark profile incisive rather than heavy. The palate is saturated yet finely drawn, delivering blackberry preserve, smoked plum, iron shavings, and cured meat flavors over a nervy spine that gives the wine both precision and drive. Its meaty savor and mineral character feel inseparable from the site, while the texture remains polished and persistent, carrying the concentration without excess weight. Serve it with cumin-rubbed lamb shoulder and charred eggplant, where the wine’s smoky, savory depth and stony energy will meet the dish perfectly while its freshness clears the richness. This is a profound young Syrah with the structure and pedigree to evolve gracefully for at least 15 years or more with proper cellaring. Highly recommended.\" -Jeremy Young\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MONTEREY BAY WINE COMPANY","offers":[{"title":"750 mL","offer_id":67680353419629,"sku":null,"price":149.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0481\/8940\/7391\/files\/horsepower-high-contrast-syrah-bottle_f680477c-ad08-4b00-ad0a-49748a6a17e0.png?v=1792024366","url":"https:\/\/artisan.wine\/products\/cayuse-vineyards-horsepower-high-contrast-vineyard-syarah-2023-walla-walla-oregon","provider":"Artisan W\u0026S","version":"1.0","type":"link"}