Horsepower on Deck

[Scott_Watkins]

@ericskitei

Our mini HP offline included the following: 2011 Tribe Syrah, 2012 Tribe Syrah, 2012 Sur Echalas Grenache.

The 2011 and 2012 Syrah were almost undrinkable when first opened. For example, the 2011 tasted initially of charred blood, minerals and crushed rock, but not in a pleasing way. After about 8 hours decanted, the wine started opening up and by dinner time, it was pairing quite nicely with the BBQ we ordered.

The concensus amongst the 3 of us, was that these wines would really need 5-8 years in the cellar before they were truly approachable. The ultimate question would be: Is the investment today worth it, in the hopes that these wines will be great several years from now? For 2 of us, it was worth the committment, and for the 3rd, it wasn’t, based on the quality of wines that you can buy for the same price with more certainty.

I will say that they develped into truly unique wines. For me a style which greatly differed from Cayuse and one that was different from any that I have tried before.

Curious about other peoples thoughts that have opened these young?

Agree with your notes Eric, and the Grenache was also undrinkable when I first popped it, did not find it much better through dinner either.

Update: Now last night Andrea and I had the remaining half glass of the Grenache and the 12 Tribe they were quite beautiful and picked up a lot of complexity and balance which makes me think they really need a lot of time. But no Cayuse funk in any of the bottles.