Vinous Reviews

Cowhorn 2015 Marsanne Roussanne, 91 points, $35

Bright straw. Aromas of nectarine pear nectar yellow plum and pungent flowers carry a hint of white pepper in the background. Concentrated yet lively on the palate offering expansive orchard and pit fruit flavors that are given a refreshingly bitter edge by a zesty lemon pith note. Clings with impressive tenacity on the silky finish which leaves a note of candied violet behind.

Cowhorn 2015 Viognier, 91 Points, $35

Pale gold. Highly perfumed incisive aromas of ripe lime white peach and white flowers lent vivacity by a chalky mineral element. Concentrated yet lithe and nervy on the palate offering intense citrus and pit fruit flavors and hints of honeysuckle and white pepper that gain strength as the wine opens up. Shows impressive tension and cut on the bright finish and leaves behind a suave floral note.

Cowhorn 2015 Spiral 36, 90 Points, $28

Pale gold. Aromas of ripe orchard fruits tangerine honeysuckle and minerals plus a hint of sweet butter in the background. Juicy and expansive on the palate offering concentrated Meyer lemon pear and melon flavors given spine by a vibrant mineral undertone. Displays very good clarity and spicy thrust on a long sappy finish that shows no rough edges.

Cowhorn 2013 Syrah 21, 92 Points, $45

Vivid ruby. A highly perfumed complex bouquet evokes black and blue fruits candied flowers smoked meat and incense plus hints of Indian spices and earth in the background. Sweet and expansive on the palate offering intense black raspberry and blueberry flavors that pick up a suggestion of cracked pepper as the wine opens up. Powerful but surprisingly lithe finishing sappy and very long with sneaky tannins framing the juicy berry fruit.

Cowhorn 2013 , Syrah Sentience 92 Points, $55

(40 percent new oak) Lurid ruby. Vibrant dark berry cherry and licorice scents hint at olive vanilla and woodsmoke in the background. Appealingly sweet blackberry spicecake and floral pastille flavors are energized by a spine of juicy acidity. The spicy quality drives a very long sappy finish that’s given shape by silky even tannins. There’s a distinctly Old World quality to this wine’s structure and texture but the fruit is all Oregon.

Cowhorn 2014 Marsanne/Roussanne, 90 Points, SOLD OUT

Green-hued straw. Fresh tangerine and Seckel pear scents are complemented by suggestions of honeysuckle and lime zest. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate offering bitter citrus pith and pear skin flavors and a deeper suggestion of honey that comes up slowly. Shows very good clarity and lift on the long minerally finish which echoes the pear and lime notes. This wine shows uncommon energy for such a blend from the New World where most examples are on the weighty side.

Cowhorn 2014 Viognier, 90 Points, SOLD OUT

Light yellow. Vibrant mineral-tinged aromas of ripe citrus and orchard fruits along with notes of jasmine and candied ginger. Sappy and seamless on the palate offering juicy nectarine and pear flavors and a subtle touch of fennel. In an ample but lively style delivering strong closing punch and very good subtly spicy persistence.

Cowhorn 2014 Spiral 36, 90 Points, SOLD OUT

Bright straw. Zesty sharply focused citrus and orchard fruit scents are complemented by suggestions of white flowers and dusty minerals. Tangy and precise on the palate offering fresh lemon and quince flavors and a hint of melon. Quite restrained given the blend showing no excess fat and strong back-end cut. Finishes minerally and long featuring building spiciness and repeating florality.

Cowhorn 2013 Reserve Viognier, 92 Points, SOLD OUT

Vivid gold. Deep-pitched citrus and pit fruit aromas show excellent clarity and suave floral and smoky mineral flourishes. Silky and concentrated offering intense nectarine orange honey and candied ginger flavors lifted and given spine by juicy acidity. Plays richness off vivacity with a deft hand and finishes very long and sappy featuring resonating florality and a hint of fennel.

Cowhorn 2013 Viognier, 91 Points, SOLD OUT

Light green-tinged yellow. Ripe expansive orchard and pit fruits and a touch of honey on the seductively perfumed nose. Densely packed but lithe offering mineral-tinged nectarine pear nectar and tangerine flavors that show excellent clarity and a sexy floral nuance that builds with air. The floral and mineral qualities carry smoothly through a sappy subtly spicy finish which hangs on with impressive persistence. I really like the balance of heft and vivacity here.

Cowhorn 2011 Syrah 42, 92 Points, SOLD OUT                                            

Brilliant ruby. Highly expressive spice-accented blackberry cherry compote and incense aromas pick up a smoky nuance with air. Shows impressive depth and vivacity on the palate offering appealingly sweet black and blue fruit and violet pastille flavors and a touch of five-spice powder. Stretches out and becomes more lively with air picking up a peppery quality that carries through the impressively long subtly tannic finish.

Cowhorn 2011 Syrah Sentience, 91 Points, SOLD OUT                                            

Deep ruby. Powerful mineral-driven dark berry licorice and violet scents along with smoke and cola accents in the background. Gently sweet blackberry cherry and floral pastille flavors are given spine and sharpened by a smoky mineral quality. Fine-grained tannins firm a very long focused finish that leaves bitter cherry and cracked pepper notes behind.

‍