Tasting Notes
In 2008, Christophe Baron began to plant five new vineyards in the deep galets roulés of Walla Walla Valley using Champagne’s pre-phylloxera spacing (1m x 1m), which he farms with a team of five draught horses. For context, where a typical Cayuse vineyard is home to 2,800 vines per hectare, the Horsepower density is 12,100. The Tribe vineyard is 1.2 hectares and is covered in large stones reminiscent of the Crau plateau of Châteauneuf.
Just 12-18 inches of silty loam and basalt cobblestones lie above a layer of compacted cobblestones, which can plunge as deep as 100 metres in some pockets. Yields are understandably small, rarely exceeding 30 hl/ha, though often considerably smaller, and the site is farmed to organic and biodynamic principles. Necessarily, the vines are individually staked, facilitating shading as the sun arcs over the vines throughout the day and allowing the grapes to slowly reach optimal ripeness at relatively moderate potential alcohols. (Depending on the vintage, the Horsepower wines usually sit between 13-13.5%.) The 2020 Tribe was fermented with 80% whole bunches and matured for 15 months in primarily large old French foudres, with a few second- and third-fill demi-muids in the mix. - Importer Note
An increased focus on the environment and an awareness of sustainable agriculture have given rise to a huge increase in organic viticulture. This is an exciting area of growth in the world of wine, and if done right, one that leads to better wines, healthier vines and soils, and less stress on the earth.
But what makes a wine organic?
Organic wine refers to a method of farming, rather than winemaking. It all starts in the vineyard, where vignerons and viticulturalists no longer use synthetic or systemic pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers. Instead they opt for organic compounds such as copper and sulfur, which can help reduce he pressure of disease and pests. This results in much better vine and soil health, with no unwanted chemicals leeching into local rivers and waterways through run-off.
Organic farming is not to be confused with Biodynamic farming which, although similar, is a different approach and requires many more specific practices. These practices such as specific soil preparations, and lunar-cycle harvesting are not necessary to achieve an organic system.
It is important to note that organic wines can still have sulphur dioxide added to them. Sulphur is an organic compound, and therefore winemakers are free to add it to their wines, and still achieve organic certification. Winemakers will often add sulphur to help stabilise the wine and protect it from oxygen come bottling time. The wine will still be completely organic, assuming the proper farming practices have been adhered to.
| Product Type | Wine Red Shiraz |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | USA |
| Region | Washington State |
| Sub Region | Walla Walla Valley |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |