2010 Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard Syrah

The 2010 Bone Rock is just as fabulous from bottle as it was from barrel. Layered, intensely fragrant and always changing in the glass, the 2010 flat-out stunning. Layers of dark varietal fruit continue to blossom as the wine shows off its pedigree. Even with all of its richness, the 2010 never comes across as overly heavy. Hints of jasmine and lavender add lift on the finish. The 2010 is 89% Syrah from head-trained vines in James Berry and 11% Roussanne. Justin Smith used 50% whole clusters on the Syrah components. Readers lucky enough to find the Bone Rock should not hesitate. It is superb.

With close to 14% Roussanne in the blend, the 2010 Saxum Bone Rock is downright exotic on both the nose and palate. Sporting an inky purple color, it gives up knockout aromas of blackberry liqueur, blood, peach pit, and a huge amount of ground pepper on the nose. Very full-bodied and concentrated, with a luxurious, almost waxy texture (no doubt from the Roussanne) and a broad, chewy, and tannic finish, this singular beauty should be approachable on release, and have 12-15 years or more of prime time drinking!