2022 Cayuse "Impulsivo" Tempranillo

Cayuse Vineyards was founded in 1997 by Christophe Baron, a French vigneron whose winemaking roots trace back to his family’s Champagne house, Baron Albert, established in 1677. After studying viticulture in Champagne and Burgundy and traveling through wine regions around the world, Christophe was drawn to the Walla Walla Valley, where he came across a barren, stone-covered field. While others dismissed it as too harsh for vines, he recognized its resemblance to the cobbled soils of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in his native France.

Guided by the belief that vines must struggle to produce great wine, Christophe planted his first vineyard in the “Stones of the Walla Walla Valley” in March 1997. Many thought it was a reckless gamble, but his vision soon reshaped the region’s reputation. He named his winery Cayuse, a nod to both the local Native American tribe and the French word cailloux, meaning “stones.”

Today, Cayuse spans five vineyards and 47 acres, producing some of the most distinctive and sought-after wines in the United States. What began as a bold experiment in a rocky field has become a benchmark for the Walla Walla Valley, uniting Old World tradition with New World innovation.

"From vines planted to 10 x 4 spacing in 2000, and biodynamically farmed, the 2022 Tempranillo Impulsivo makes one think of Ribera Del Duero in its intensity and richness of balsamic black berry and passionfruit. More new oak is applied (40% new French) for 18 months, which accentuates the inherent tension of the wine's texture and length. The drinking window is long, now through 2042."
-Jeb Dunnuck, 100 Points

Aging: 18 months in French oak, 50% new

Foxcroft Online Price: $145 per bottle*
*This wine is arriving soon; we'll email you when it's ready for pickup