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Horsepower Syrah Sur Echalas Vineyard

Horsepower Syrah Sur Echalas Vineyard 2022

  • Washington
  • Red

¥39,050 (incl. tax)

This vineyard is planted in the ancient riverbed of the Walla Walla River on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley. The topsoil consists of 12-18” inches of a mix of silty loam and basalt cobblestones. Beneath is a layer of pure compacted cobblestones, hundreds of feet deep in places. Further below lies 10,000 feet or more of pure basalt bedrock. This stratum is one of the largest areas of basalt lava flows on the surface of the earth.

The self-nourishing interrelationship of earth, plants and animals has been central to vigneron Christophe Baron’s farming philosophy ever since he pioneered biodynamic farming in the Walla Walla Valley in 2002.

Like Cayuse Vineyards, Horsepower is farmed according to an astrological sowing and planting calendar, and entirely without the use of herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, chemical insecticides or fungicides.

Two draft horses, Red and Zeppo, cultivate vineyards ranging from 3,555 to 4,840 vines per acre with as little as 3' x 3' spacing—planted 1 vine per stake, or “sur echalas” in French.

All Horsepower wines are created from the following vineyards:

Sur Echalas Vineyard—With 3-foot by 3-foot spacing and 4,840 vines per acre, this 2 acre vineyard of Syrah and Grenache is the highest density planting in the Walla Walla Valley, and one of the highest in North America.

The Tribe Vineyard—This 3 acre Syrah vineyard is planted one vine per stake. Spacing is 3.5 feet by 3.5 feet, totaling 3,555 vines per acre.

High Contrast Vineyard—This vineyard includes 3 acres of Syrah and 1/3 acre of Viognier, and follows the contour of what was once the Walla Walla River. There are 3,555 vines per acre, planted one vine per stake

Details
Country
America
Region
Washington
Appellation
Walla Walla Valley
Winery
Horsepower Vineyards
Vintage(s)
2022
Color
Red
Varietal(s)
100% Syrah
Data
Closure
Natural Cork
Volume
750ml
Alcohol
13.5%
Product Code
1374222
UPC
NONE/なし
Production
Terroir

The vineyard is located in the ancient riverbed of the Walla Walla River on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley. The topsoil consists of 12-18’’ inches of a mix of silty loam and basalt cobblestones. Beneath is a layer of pure compacted cobblestones, hundreds of feet deep in places.

Viticulture

The vineyard is cultivated by Belgian and Percheron draft horses and has been farmed using biodynamic methods since 2008.

  • Date Planted: 2008
  • Area: 1.3 ha / 3.2 ac
  • Row Spacing: 3.0’ x 3.0’
  • Vine Density: 11910 per ha / 4840 per ac
  • Elevation: 860’ above sea level
Vinification
  • Vessel Type: 100% French oak
  • Aging: 15 months in neutral oak
Press
  • 100

    International Wine Report

    A masterful expression of Walla Walla Valley terroir, the 2022 Sur Echalas Vineyard [Syrah] opens with an intricate bouquet of blueberries, crushed black plums, roasted herbs, charred rosemary, and smoked sea salt, interwoven with layers of smoked bacon, espresso bean, and crushed graphite. The cool vintage lends remarkable poise, with electric acidity providing impeccable balance to the wine’s depth and intensity. On the palate, it is sumptuously layered, unveiling dark plums and macerated raspberries, underscored by an umami-laden savoriness and a deeply mineral core. Tannins are polished yet structured, guiding the wine toward an effortless, harmonious finish that lingers with hints of iron, olive tapenade, and wild violets. A Syrah of breathtaking complexity and depth, this is an absolute standout that will evolve beautifully in the cellar for the next 15 years or more. Highly recommended. —Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

  • 100

    Owen Bargreen

  • 97

    Jeb Dunnuck

  • 96

    James Suckling

Winery
Winery Description

Vigneron Christophe Baron pioneered biodynamic farming in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley in 2002.  Horsepower is farmed entirely without the use of herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, chemical insecticides or fungicides using two draft horses - ‘Red’ and ‘Zeppo’ - to cultivate vineyards with as little as 3’ x 3’ spacing, planted 1 vine per stake, or “sur echalas” in French.  The oldest son of the centuries-old Champagne house Baron Albert, Christophe’s family has worked their land in the Marne Valley of France since 1677.  As recently as 1957 horses still did all of the vineyard cultivation.  Horsepower represents a return to that tradition, to a simplicity of craftsmanship and purpose that has been largely lost.  It’s a window to the Old World taking root in New. That’s why, on any given day in any of our three vineyards, the only sound you’re likely to hear is the hoofbeat of tradition, played and preserved on the stones of Horsepower.

Leaflet