2014 Hors Categorie Syrah Christophe Baron De Cayuse

Hors Catégorie Vineyards

Located in Walla Walla Valley, Washington, USA, Hors Catégorie Vineyards was established in 2011 and is the first vineyard planted on the steep slope along the North Fork of the Walla River. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, this picturesque setting presents an extraordinary terroir characterized by a rare combination of climate, exposure, and topography, making it an incomparable wine-growing estate.

The vineyard primarily focuses on cultivating Syrah vines, which grow tenaciously on the hillside beneath ragged cliffs and are surrounded by rocky outcroppings. The challenging conditions force the vines’ roots to struggle for nourishment in the fractured basalt soil, contributing to the unique character of the wines produced here.

Wine Spectator Harvey Steiman visited the site for the first time in 2006 and was impressed by the expressiveness, power, and weightlessness of the American Syrah produced at Hors Catégorie. Tasting the wine straight from 600-litre Demi-muids, he noticed an open, almost weightless texture with mineral notes reminiscent of wet stones and hot bricks and hints of cinnamon, fresh-baked bread, and a field of flowers.

Steiman continued to be impressed by the wines in subsequent years, particularly after barrel-tasting the 2014 vintage. He reaffirmed that the combination of expressiveness, power, and weightlessness found in Hors Catégorie’s Syrah is a rare and remarkable quality not often seen in American Syrahs.

Walla Walla Valley

In the southeastern part of Washington State, USA, Walla Walla Valley is a prominent and acclaimed wine-producing region extending into northeastern Oregon. The valley’s viticultural roots date back to the mid-19th century, making it one of the oldest wine regions in the Pacific Northwest.

A semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters characterizes the region. It also benefits from the Cascade Mountain Range to the west, which shields the valley from excessive rainfall, creating an ideal environment for grape cultivation. The dry and sunny conditions contribute to the development of ripe and flavorful grapes, while cool nights help to preserve acidity, resulting in balanced and vibrant wines.

The valley’s diverse soils, primarily composed of loess (wind-blown silt) and well-draining basalt, create a patchwork of terroirs that add complexity and character to the wines. Additionally, ancient flood deposits contribute to the valley’s fertile landscape, further supporting grapevine growth.

Walla Walla Valley is renowned for its red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, which thrive in the region’s climate and soils. These red varieties are known for their rich fruit flavors, supple tannins, and aging potential. Excellent white wines, such as Chardonnay and Riesling, are also produced, which benefit from the valley’s diurnal temperature variation and well-drained soils.

The wine is characterized by a strong sense of community and collaboration among winemakers, fostering a culture of quality and innovation. Many wineries in the region are small, family-owned operations dedicated to handcrafted and sustainable winemaking practices.

Grenache/Garnacha

Grenache (Noir) is widely grown and comes in a variety of styles. Believed to originate in Spain, it was, in the late 20^th century, the most widely planted black grape variety in the world. Today it hovers around seventh in the pecking order. It tends to produce very fruity, rich wines that can range quite widely in their level of tannin.

In many regions – most famously the Southern Rhône, where it complements Syrah and Mourvèdre, among other grapes – it adds backbone and colour to blends, but some of the most notable Châteauneuf du Pape producers (such as Château Rayas) make 100 percent Grenache wines. The grape is a component in many wines of the Languedoc (where you’ll also find its lighter-coloured forms, Grenache Gris and Blanc) and is responsible for much southern French rosé – taking the lead in most Provence styles.

Found all over Spain as Garnacha Tinta (spelt Garnaxa in Catalonia), the grape variety is increasingly detailed on wine labels there. Along with Tempranillo, it forms the majority of the blend for Rioja’s reds and has been adopted widely in Navarra, where it produces lighter styles of red and rosado (rosé). It can also be found operating under a pseudonym, Cannonau, in Sardinia.