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Tasting notes
Bright red. Restrained aromas of cassis, crushed blueberry, licorice, black tea, orange peel and dark chocolate. Then very dense and tightly wound but with surprising subtle sweetness to its savory flavors of cassis, licorice and violet. Perhaps most impressive today on the firm, lingering finish, which displays sexy oak tones but little of the cocoa powder quality often contributed by Taransaud barrels. Aeration brought an intriguing floral high note. (14.1% alcohol; aged mostly in demi-muids , 40% new, plus a few older barriques)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Flying Pig is scented of red and black fruit—black cherry and dusty plum skin—with a seductive floral tone and elegant oak spices mingling on the nuanced and savory nose. Clean and correct on the palate, the wine has a real focus on quality and freshness, with a rocky mineral tension on the mid-palate. It ends with a complex finish, as cassis, minerality and finely structured tannins all compete for your attention. Only 217 cases were produced.
This has a distinctive, meaty edge with pepper-dusted cassis and mulberries that lead to a palate that has medium body and a fresh, long and juicy resolve at the finish, A blend of 49% merlot, 40% cabernet franc and 11% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.
A blend of 49% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, brought up in 40-50% new demi-muids, the 2016 Flying Pig has a fabulous nose of black cherries, cassis, white chocolate, tobacco, and rose petal. Complex, perfumed, and just singing on the nose, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's going to age beautifully. After a catastrophe with their 2015s due to a cork issue, Cayuse is certainly back on top with these latest 2016s. This is a great vintage for Cayuse and they’ve knocked it out of the park with both their Rhone and Bordeaux variety releases.