2021 Cayuse Impulsivo en Chamberlin
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Tempranillo Impulsivo is impossibly dark and intense, smoldering up with notes of incense, dried rose, ashen stone, seared meat and black raspberry. It is seductively round and supple with soft textures matched by vividly ripe red berry fruits and a cascade of inner florals. Hints of blood orange combine with salty minerals and fine tannins as the 2021 finishes long and spicy, yet somehow it leaves the mouth watering for more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Another expressive red from this estate, the 2021 Impulsivo (100% Tempranillo) has a great nose of both red and black fruits as well as iron, sandalwood, and violets. A rich, medium to full-bodied, structured wine on the palate, it has building tannins, a nicely balanced, layered mouthfeel, and plenty of meaty, gamey, umami character on the finish. It will benefit from just a few years in the cellar and will evolve for at least two decades.
Admittedly, I’m a lover of Tempranillo from Spain. While this is nothing close to the Rioja expression, the 2021 Impulsivo does have plenty of admirable qualities, possessing a generous profile of dusty, dark red fruit, with aromas that slowly release from the glass with elements of beef broth and sour plum reduction. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shows considerable weight and texture before displaying silky tannins with a delightful umami essence. After last year’s vintage, I’m happy to say this bottling is back on track and firing on all cylinders. The wine aged 18 months in 50% new and neutral French oak demi-muids, foudre and barrels. 4,824 bottles produced.