Best-in-Country Pricing for a Trio from Cayuse!
It is hard to believe that nearly 30 years have passed since young Frenchmen Christophe Baron, against the advice of many, purchased and planted his first vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley.
Earning huge scores, his Cayuse wines quickly became unobtainable. Now with a few decades of age on the vines, they are still earning serious kudos from the critics, including Jeb Dunnuck who - during his stint at Wine Advocate - wrote...
"While the ship has long since sailed with regards to getting on the mailing list, these are singular wines well worth the effort to track down on the secondary market.”
- Jeb Dunnuck, June 2017
Today we bring you a few bottles each of three of Christophe's famous Washington State reds, leading with his "En Cerise" and "En Chamberlin" vineyard bottlings and wrapping up with his 389 case production "Camaspelo" Cabernet-dominated powerhouse.
Making things even more exciting, our pricing on each of these highly-rated reds beats every single listing on the market. Read on for the up-to-98-point reviews from Jeb, then click fast on the Big Green Button to get a few bottles!
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2022 Cayuse "En Chamberlin Vineyard" Syrah
Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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As with all of Christophe's property, his En Chamberlin vineyard has been farmed biodynamically since 2002. Aged for 18 months in French oak, only a small percentage of which was new, this luscious wine can be enjoyed now, and will reward those who have the patience to cellar. A perennial favorite, today's 2022 bottling has earned 97 Points from Wine Spectator and this 96-Point review from Jeb Dunnuck.
“The 2022 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard has tension and dark fruit character for days, evoking meaty butcher shop in its layers of sanguine bacon fat and petrichor. Spicy and brooding, its tannins are broad-shouldered and long, gripping the palate through the peppery finish. Cellar through 2042.”
- 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (7/10/2025)
Looking online we found nine listings for this 449 case production wine. Our price quite handily beats them all.
Vin Chicago Price: 114.99
2022 Cayuse "En Cerise Vineyard" Syrah
Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Potentially his most famous bottling, the "Cerise" vineyard was once a cherry orchard before being planted to vines by Christophe in 1998. With similar oak treatment as the En Chamberlin, this one is a real beauty.
“The 2022 Syrah En Cerise Vineyard is 100% varietal from ungrafted vines and is dark and exotic in tone. Licorice candy and violet lead to a sensual mouthfeel of refined tannin and well-integrated oak, the wine aged 18 months in 15-20% new French barrels. Salty salinity comes up against a meaty char component of iron, green tea, peat moss, and complex tension. There’s a powerful purity to the whole experience, which finishes complete. Cellar through 2042. Maturity: 2025 - 2042.”
- 98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (7/10/2025)
Online pricing for this 397 case production powerhouse is just over a buck higher than the En Chamberlin. Our price, again, beats all. Just a few bottles available.
Vin Chicago Price: 114.99
A Rare Cabernet in the Cayuse Lineup!
2022 Cayuse "Camaspelo" Proprietary Red
Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Also hailing from the En Cerise vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon dominated red is supported by its classic partner, Merlot, and just a splash of Tempranillo. Seeing the same 18 months of aging as its siblings, Christophe uses a bit more new oak on this one, around 1/3rd of the barrels. A very cool wine here that can more than hold its own with many cult Cabernets costing two or three times the price!
“The producer’s take on the Left Bank, the 2022 Camaspelo is dominant in Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Merlot, some Tempranillo. The latter is the secret weapon, adding structure on the midpalate and underlying power, while the wine stays elegantly balanced and highly refined. Supple tannins support light-bodied layers of crème de cassis, black cherry, and cigar box, just a hint of gravelly, grippy texture suggesting further time in bottle, a good 20-30 years.”
- 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (7/10/2025)
Looking online we found just six listings for this 389 case rarity, ranging from $129 to $140.
Vin Chicago Price: 114.99
