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Cayuse Vineyards - Walla Walla Flying Pig 2020

USA • Walla Walla Valley • Red

Regular price $5,630.00 tax included
Sale price $5,630.00 tax included Regular price $0.00
Unit price $1,876.66 / unit
Packaging : 3 x 75CL - Cardboard

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Available vintages

Description

  • Country UNITED STATES
  • Region USA
  • Appellation Walla Walla Valley
  • Color Red
  • Alcohol 14
  • Vintage 2020
Cayuse Vineyardsnestled in the Walla Walla Valley to UNITED STATESis a domaine which produces red wines of rare intensity. The Walla Walla Flying Pig 2020 is a vibrant expression of this unique terroir. This wine red It is sought after for its fruity character and aromatic complexity. A must-try for lovers of American wines.
Ratings

Ratings

  • Vinous 94/100
  • James Suckling 94/100
Notes and pairings

Notes and pairings

Tasting notes

The 2020 Walla Walla Flying Pig displays a deep, intense red color. On the nose, it offers a complex bouquet of ripe black fruit, sweet spices, and earthy notes. On the palate, the wine is full and silky, with fine tannins and lovely freshness. The finish is long and persistent, leaving a rich and flavorful aromatic impression.

Food & wine pairings

It will perfectly complement grilled red meats, game birds or a platter of mature cheeses.

Producer

Producer

The vineyard is located in a specific area of the Walla Walla Valley called The Stones of Milton-Freewater. Soils: These are ancient riverbeds filled with smooth basaltic pebbles (the famous "stones"). Thermal Effect: The pebbles store the sun's heat during the day and release it at night, promoting optimal maturation and a very pronounced saline mineral signature. The Unexpected: Unlike the majority of the region which produces powerful and oaky wines, the soils of Cayuse produce "funky", earthy, and incredibly fresh wines. The Philosophy: Biodynamics and High Density Christophe Baron was a pioneer of sustainable viticulture in the American Northwest: Biodynamics: The domaine has been certified biodynamic since 2002. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used; plant-based preparations and respect for lunar cycles are preferred. High Density: The vines are planted very closely together (up to 10,000 vines per hectare for some plots), which forces the roots to plunge deep into the basalt to seek water and nutrients. Franc de Pied Vines: Some plots are planted without rootstock, which is rare and allows for an even purer expression of the grape variety.

Owner and history

Cayuse Vineyards is owned by Christophe Baron, a passionate and visionary winemaker. Originally from Champagne, He was captivated by the unique potential of the Walla Walla Valley and founded the domaine in 1997. His commitment to quality and his rigorous biodynamic approach have made Cayuse Vineyards one of the most respected estates in the United States. The story begins near the village of Charly-sur-Marne, in Champagne, where the very young Christophe Baron roamed the family vineyard with his father and grandfather. He was the youngest member of the family. Champagne Baron Albert, a centuries-old family whose ancestors had been farming the land since 1677.

Vinification and aging

The winemaking of the Cayuse Vineyards "Flying Pig" 2020 reflects Christophe Baron's desire to create a "Right Bank" style wine (dominantly Cabernet Franc and Merlot) that retains the mineral and wild identity of "The Rocks" district in Walla Walla.

Here are the precise details of its winemaking process for this vintage:

Assembly and Origin
The 2020 is a precise blend that highlights the structure of Cabernet Franc:
Composition: 46% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Origin: Mainly the En Cerise vineyard (planted in 1998), characterized by its deep basaltic pebble soils.

Fermentation: The Natural Approach
Yeast: As with all vintages of the domaine, Fermentation is carried out exclusively with indigenous yeasts present on the skin of the grapes.

Tanks: The wine is fermented in concrete tanks (often decorated with stones from the vineyard). Christophe Baron favors concrete for its aromatic neutrality and its ability to promote a pure mineral expression.

Extraction: The extraction is gentle (infusion), seeking to obtain "chalky" tannins rather than raw power.

Breeding: Precision and Discretion
Duration: The wine was aged for approximately 18 to 19 months.

Containers: It rests in French oak barrels (barriques).

New Oak: For the 2020 vintage, the proportion of new oak was limited to approximately 20% to 30%. The aim is to support the structure without ever masking the notes of roasted bell pepper, sage, and graphite typical of the blend.

Philosophy: The wine is made according to the principles of biodynamics (Demeter certification), without fining or filtration, to preserve its silky texture and natural energy.

Discover Cayuse Vineyards

Discover Cayuse Vineyards

The team's opinion

The Cayuse Vineyards "Flying Pig" 2020 is Christophe Baron's fascinating interpretation of a "Rive Droite" (Saint-Émilion) style blend, but transposed onto the burning pebbles of Walla Walla. The name itself, Flying Pig, is a joke by Christophe Baron aimed at those who said he would never succeed in producing a great wine from Bordeaux grape varieties on this basalt terroir. The 2020 vintage, marked by a beautiful concentration, proves once again that the pig does indeed fly.

Wine profile

  • Fruity
  • Complex
  • Spicy