Like Ron, I have drank many a Cayuse and No Girls but have also drank several of the Horsepower wines. I agree with his comparison to the Frog, as these wines are way more in the savory, mineral, and little fruit category. Here are some of my notes, which may help you get a gauge on the wines.
2011 Horsepower Tribe Syrah – From bottle at the Release Weekend. Christophe was nice enough to offer us a glass of the Horsepower wines. This syrah was otherworldly already. Deep, animalistic, savory, grippy. It essentially grabbed you by the balls and squeezed. Wildness ala the very best Cornas. Stunning bottle. 97+ pts.
2011 Horsepower Sur Echalas Grenache – Christophe asked us if we wanted a glass of the Horsepower Grenache…F%ck yes! Cannot disagree with Darren. Red fruits galore, charcuterie, freshly ground pepper, lively bursts of freshness. Extremely expressive for such a young wine. These Horsepower wines are going to give such a unique experience…one that is hard to find elsewhere. 96+
2011 Horsepower Sur Echalas Grenache – Decanted for two hours. Completely blown away by this wine. As good as domestic grenache can get. I have to be honest and say that I was much more excited about the Horsepower syrahs (those have been damn good, too!), but this wine has me rethinking that. Gorgeous nose of red fruits immediately makes the hair on your arms stand-up (for Dale…hairs on his back). Medium-bodied with that unmistakable Christophe structure (je ne sais quoi?) that harmoniously brings every component together. Can’t wait to give the 12 a spin. 97pts.
2011 Horsepower Tribe Syrah – Popped and let sit in the glass for an hour or so while we ate apps and salads. Blockbuster right out of the gate with aromas of violets, basil, fennel, and dark cherry followed by hints of black pepper and olive in reserve. Medium-weight in the mouth revealing crushed blackberries, black olive, dark plum. Taut on the finish with an ever so light hint at some smooth tannins. Surprised it was so well integrated for its age but has the chutzpah to merit years of sleep. World class. 97pts.
2012 Horsepower Sur Echalas Grenache – Decanted for 2 hours. This unique domestic grenache has some stuffing. Not nearly as funky as the GOK can be, this wine was laser focused and lithe teaming with red currant and bright cherry fruit. A chalky minerality brought everything into focus while balancing out the fruit. Possessing a heightened complexity that distinguishes this wine from your ordinary, or even good domestic grenache. Will continue to improve in the coming years which is scary. 96pts.
2012 Horsepower Tribe Syrah – Decanted for two hours. This is a caveman’s wine. This is a Paleo and Atkins diet wine. This is a wine crafted for a T-Rex. This wine is a 48oz. Peter Luger porterhouse steak. This is a Medieval Times eat your meat off a leg bone wine. A blood suckers wine. This is not a namby-pamby vegan or vegetarian’s wine. This is not a suburban soccer mom pumpkin spice wine. This is not a 1999 98-point Parker Australian Shiraz ooze monster. This is a Pizza Hut meat lover’s wine that should have a warning sticker on the label that reads, “Meat Only…No Fruits Allowed!” I’d love to hand a glass of this wine to a vegan/vegetarian and ask them to describe what they are smelling. I think they’d lack descriptors because this wine smells only like various types and preparations of meat. Grilled, smoked, sauteed, fried, even a la plancha. A carnivores delight, this wine is. This wine is not for the masses and I wouldn’t presume to serve it to friends at a Saturday night dinner while playing Cards Against Humanity. This is an old school Cornas syrah lover’s wine. Drink at your own risk. 98pts.
2013 Horsepower Tribe Syrah – Decanted for 3 hours. Almost identical to the 2012. No need to get into specifics as my note on the 12 speaks largely for this wine, as well. These aren’t hedonistic wines that you’d drink for pure pleasure at this point and doubt they ever will be. It’s work to drink this wine as it’s mostly an intellectual experience. Kind of like that Philosophy 300 class you took in college. I enjoy this type of wine experience but guess many would not. 97pts.