Cayuse Vineyards
Bionic Frog Walla Walla Valley Syrah
Walla Walla Valley, Oregon/Washington, USA
This is now the second time in the past year that I have been able to sample the 2012 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah. Wild blackberry compote and Umami tones combine with green olives and Hoisin sauce with smoked duck on the nose. The gorgeous aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Once on the palate the seamless texture really impresses. Layers of roasted figs and boysenberry collide with minerals, lemon rind, smoked brisket, milk chocolate and dried sage with a light dusting of white pepper on this complex palate. This is extremely complex and delicious Syrah to sit and deconstruct. Either way, if you are sitting with this wine, consider yourself very lucky. Still fresh and vibrant, with good weight, the 2012 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah will enjoy at least another eight years ahead of it. But why wait? Drink 2020-2028- 98
This is now the second time in the past year that I have been able to sample the 2012 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah. Wild blackberry compote and Umami tones combine with green olives and Hoisin sauce with smoked duck on the nose. The gorgeous aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Once on the palate the seamless texture really impresses. Layers of roasted figs and boysenberry collide with minerals, lemon rind, smoked brisket, milk chocolate and dried sage with a light dusting of white pepper on this complex palate. This is extremely complex and delicious Syrah to sit and deconstruct. Either way, if you are sitting with this wine, consider yourself very lucky. Still fresh and vibrant, with good weight, the 2012 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah will enjoy at least another eight years ahead of it. But why wait? Drink 2020-2028- 98
Nov 29th, 2020
A baby. Funk for sure but this one is tolerable to me (others not)
A baby. Funk for sure but this one is tolerable to me (others not)
Nov 26th, 2014
Four hour decant. Wild wine. Very balanced but all flavors dialed up to 11. Plum, blackberry, hoisin, hoisin beef stock. Finish is incredibly salty and smokey…almost like a drop of laphroig or ardbeg made it’s way into the glass.
Four hour decant. Wild wine. Very balanced but all flavors dialed up to 11. Plum, blackberry, hoisin, hoisin beef stock. Finish is incredibly salty and smokey…almost like a drop of laphroig or ardbeg made it’s way into the glass.
Dec 19th, 2021
"Let's play the what do you smell game." "Craziness, Iron'y leather, not any fruit, well water iron, metallic, insta-headache, I don't know..." "Palate is stewed fruit, or dried, is this tannin-less Syrah? Wtf is this? "Dude, you don't have to be fancy about it"
"This is the most expensive bottle I've opened all month. Please let me go through the pomp and circumstance."
"Let's play the what do you smell game." "Craziness, Iron'y leather, not any fruit, well water iron, metallic, insta-headache, I don't know..." "Palate is stewed fruit, or dried, is this tannin-less Syrah? Wtf is this? "Dude, you don't have to be fancy about it"
"This is the most expensive bottle I've opened all month. Please let me go through the pomp and circumstance."
One of the best vintages. Decanted for an hour, it just got better. Fantastic with steak, it added a smokiness to it. Love funk on the nose. Such a BIG wine.
Edit: not good the second day (only had a tiny bit left but still)
One of the best vintages. Decanted for an hour, it just got better. Fantastic with steak, it added a smokiness to it. Love funk on the nose. Such a BIG wine.
Edit: not good the second day (only had a tiny bit left but still)
Aaahhh the Frog (took 2 lifetime's plus 15 years to get a 3 btl allocation). 1 hour decant. A formidable inky deep purple. On the nose: plum, earthy, dark cherry, smoke, some of that Cayuse funk. Taste: ...dark cherry, minerals, iron, raspberry, spicy smoked meat.....full body and dense with fine tannins and a nice long finish. Wow.
Aaahhh the Frog (took 2 lifetime's plus 15 years to get a 3 btl allocation). 1 hour decant. A formidable inky deep purple. On the nose: plum, earthy, dark cherry, smoke, some of that Cayuse funk. Taste: ...dark cherry, minerals, iron, raspberry, spicy smoked meat.....full body and dense with fine tannins and a nice long finish. Wow.
Nov 17th, 2019
Mmm, the stink is on!
Love the nose on the Washington Syrah’s, this is probably the best I’ve had, so stinky but so smooth!
Mmm, the stink is on!
Love the nose on the Washington Syrah’s, this is probably the best I’ve had, so stinky but so smooth!
2012 Cayuse "Bionic Frog" Walla Walla Valley Syrah. In honor of my finally having made the grade to be blessed to receive a Frog allocation from Mr. Baron, I thought I’d celebrate by pulling the cork on this beast which was gifted to me by the most generous and revered wine Connoisseur, the man with the palate I so very much respect, the Rake of the Left Coast, the right honorable Mr. Bill Bender (@Bill Bender) First off, I find the Bionic Frog in general to be one of the most hedonistic, completely over the top and playful expressions of Syrah on the planet which of course, places it squarely in my wheelhouse. Still the most unique wine in the Cayuse lineup, and arguably one of the most sought after Syrah’s around. And now on to this vintage in particular, which none other than the esteemed Jeb Dunnuck(the one reviewer who I find to have a palate most closely aligned with my own) described with the enticing phrase “flirts with perfection.” Opaque, impenetrable ink blue in the stem. Wild, typical stoney Cayuse aromatics of black olives, bacon fat and dark fruits with notes of violets and lavender. A combination savory/sweet palate with olive tapenade, mushrooms and tar combined with sweet black plums and blueberry compote. Super rich, lush mouth feel. Dense concentration. Amazingly pleasing salinity on the lengthy finish. A full-throttle Porsche Cup Car lap of Road America, complete with The Kink, wine experience. (A track day we need to reprise soon Chuck). Sensory overload in the best way possible! The Frog knows!
2012 Cayuse "Bionic Frog" Walla Walla Valley Syrah. In honor of my finally having made the grade to be blessed to receive a Frog allocation from Mr. Baron, I thought I’d celebrate by pulling the cork on this beast which was gifted to me by the most generous and revered wine Connoisseur, the man with the palate I so very much respect, the Rake of the Left Coast, the right honorable Mr. Bill Bender (@Bill Bender) First off, I find the Bionic Frog in general to be one of the most hedonistic, completely over the top and playful expressions of Syrah on the planet which of course, places it squarely in my wheelhouse. Still the most unique wine in the Cayuse lineup, and arguably one of the most sought after Syrah’s around. And now on to this vintage in particular, which none other than the esteemed Jeb Dunnuck(the one reviewer who I find to have a palate most closely aligned with my own) described with the enticing phrase “flirts with perfection.” Opaque, impenetrable ink blue in the stem. Wild, typical stoney Cayuse aromatics of black olives, bacon fat and dark fruits with notes of violets and lavender. A combination savory/sweet palate with olive tapenade, mushrooms and tar combined with sweet black plums and blueberry compote. Super rich, lush mouth feel. Dense concentration. Amazingly pleasing salinity on the lengthy finish. A full-throttle Porsche Cup Car lap of Road America, complete with The Kink, wine experience. (A track day we need to reprise soon Chuck). Sensory overload in the best way possible! The Frog knows!
Aug 25th, 2018