Last weekend, April 4th and 6th, was what is known as "Cayuse Weekend." This year, it was an event filled one with lots of wine and fun.

On Friday morning, we drove down to Sunnyside Road on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley in "The Rocks" (soon to be an AVA) to Cayuse Vineyards" annual Private Release Party in "The Box." There we tasted the 2012's which will be released next year. Here are my notes:

2012 Cayuse Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley - This 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot blend shows a deep ruby color and aromas of raspberry, cherry, cassis with scents of crushed roses, tobacco and incense. The medium-full bodied flavors are thck and chewy, muscular, yet refined with a long, moderate tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2012 Cayuse Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Cailloux Vineyard - Deep crimson colored, this wine shows the feminine side of Syrah, with lovely aromas of raspberry, blueberry, crushed roses, lavender and violets laid on a savory, lushly textured palate and finish. 19.5/20 points.

2012 Cayuse Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, En Cerise Vineyard - Opaque purplish colored, this offers a rich nose of roasted fruits - blackberry, blueberry and cassis - with scents of attar of rose and violets, with earthy, gamy dark fruits and a thick texture, yet refined on the back and the finish. 19.5/20 points.

2012 Cayuse Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, En Chamberlin Vineyard - Again, this shows a deep crimson color and seductive aromas of blueberry, pomegranate, cassis, lavender and violets, with lavish stony earth flavors, and considerable length and staying power. 20/20 points.

2012 Cayuse "Bionic Frog" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley - Deep purplish colored, this exhibits seductive aromas of blackberry, blueberry and cassis, with scents of lavender, violets and spiced incense. On the palate, the flavors are thick and richly textured, yet possess much finesse and a long, long savory finish. 20/20 points.

2012 Cayuse "Impulsivo" Tempranillo - Crimson colored, this shows a gorgeous perfumed nose along with aromas of tobacco and earth and deep, chocolaty flavors and a  lingering bittersweet finish that typifies a great Tempranillo. 19.5/20 points.

It is interesting to compare the 2012's to the 2011's. The 2012's seem to be lavish, delicious wines that will deliver a lot of drinking pleasure over the next decade, but the 2011's, I think, are built more for the long term, with structure to last. I have found this comparison, to largely hold true for other wines of the respective vintages as well.

That afternoon, we went up to the end of Cottonwood Road to Reyvaan Family Vineyards in the foothills of the Blue Mouintains. There, we tasted the winery's 2012 whites, very limited releases.

2012 Reynvaan Viognier, Walla Walla Valley - Brilliant gold colored, this offers an attractive nose of pear, peach and vanilla, with scents of orange blossoms and jasmine. The white fruit flavors are rich and minerally, like marzipan that is infused with Rocks minerals, followed by a long, elegant finish. 19.5/20 points.

2012 Reynvaan Grenache Blanc, Walla Walla Valley - This is an intriguing wine. It shows a pale gold color and aromas of pear-apple, peach, white lilac, jasmine and lemongrass. The white fruits, indeed, taste like a white Grenache, rich and silty, yet minerally, with fine fruit acid delineations and a long finish. 19.5/20 points.

2012 Reynvaan "Queen's Road" White Wine, Walla Walla Valley - This blend exhibits a greenish gold color and an intriguing nose of Bosc pear, white peach, Crenshaw melon, lilac, anise, honeysuckle and wisteria. On the palate, the flavors are well extracted and imbued with notes of peach stone, melon rind and minerals, followed by sensations of poire William liqueur and dried fruits on the long finish. 19.5/20 points.

Friday evening was Grenache Night at Trey Busch and Jerry Solomon's Sleight of Hand Cellars. The price of admission to the event was to bring a bottle of Grenache. There was a marvellous array of Grenache and Grenache-dominated wines from Washington, California, Spain, and France (including many wondrful Chateauneuf du Papes).

On Saturday morning, we stopped by Maison Bleue to taste the newly released 2012 Metis Blanc, 2011 Le Midi Grenache and 2011 Liberte Syrah which will be reviewed in the May issue. Then we went over to the Figgins Wine Studio on Melrose where we saw Chris Figgins and sampled his Oregon Pinot Noir and the 2010 Estate Red Blend.

2012 Toil Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley - This wine displays a deep cherry red color and lovely aromas of blackberry, cherry, dried roses, forest carpet and tobacco, with deep, supple well structured flavors that last and last through the chewy, yet satiny finish. 19/20 points.

2010 Figgins Estate Red, Walla Walla Valley - This was reviewed in the November 2013 issue, scoring 19.5 points. In retasting, it was every bit as impressive. Opaque ruby colored, it emits intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry and black currants, with scents of black roses, juniper berries, cigar box and violets. The dark fruit flavors are thick and massive, intermixed with dark chocolate, Sumatra roast, and stony minerals. The back reveals roasted berries and nuts, leading into a lingering, integrated oak, precise fruit acid and satiny tannin finish. Can go ten years or more. 19.5/20 points.

The big event of Saturday evening was Dr. Steven Maxood's birthday bash. There, the price of admission was a bottle of outstanding wine. Dozens of spectacular wines were poured, including magnums and double magnums from Steven's collection. Everything on the counter, from Washington, California, Oregon, Spain (including a 1964 Rioja), France (including First Growth Bordeaux) was sensational. An unforgettable event. Thanks, Steve!