2016 The Widowmaker

Dark, bright red. Black fruits, licorice, bitter chocolate, dried herbs and black pepper on the nose, with a floral topnote emerging with aeration. Suave, brisk, inviting wine with terrific inner-mouth energy and lift but no hard edges to its flavors of dark raspberry, black cherry and licorice. This is very young and backward today but in a distinctly elegant style, with nothing out of place. Shows a sexy Rocks salinity that's enlivened by spices and jasmine. Obviously oaky on the back end but finishes classically dry, with excellent rising persistence. (13.8% alcohol; aged in 50% new demi-muids and 50% neutral barriques and demi-muids )

This has a straight-shooting cabernet feel with deep cassis and blackcurrants, as well as sweeter blackberries on the palate that marry well with some sweeter oak. The balance is impressive here, as is the sustained fruit. Drink in the next six years.

Coming all from the En Chamberlin Vineyard and 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard has classic crème de cassis, graphite, smoke tobacco, and smoked earth notes as well as a thrilling floral, exotic quality with time in the glass. This full-bodied, deep, silky wine has no hard edges, beautiful tannins, and a remarkable, profound elegance and purity. After a catastrophe with their 2015s due to a cork issue, Cayuse is certainly back on top with these latest 2016s. This is a great vintage for Cayuse and they’ve knocked it out of the park with both their Rhone and Bordeaux variety releases.