Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2021

That Crazy Frenchman - Christophe Baron

Cayuse Vineyard’s winemaker, Christopher Baron, a Champagne native, raised by a family of vignerons, had a hankering for somewhere perfect to plant Pinot Noir. He traveled all over the world to find his ideal site, and he found a neglected cherry orchard in Walla Walla, Washington that was littered with stones. These baseball size stones covering the soil reminded him of Châteauneuf-du-Pape changing his dream to plant Syrah.

Now, his five specific vineyards cover 41 acres produce mainly Syrah along with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Roussanne, Tempranillo and Viognier. Now owning three brands: Cayuse, Horsepower, and No Girls, all wines are made from each estate vineyard that practices bio. These are some of the most highly sought-after, professional palate impressing wines ever to come out of Washington.

The fruit for Bionic Frog is sourced from Cayuse’s Coccinelle Vineyard.  Coccinelle is the French word for “ladybug,” and this 4.5-acre was first planted in 1998. 

The Wine Advocate 98+ points

James Suckling 97 points