2011 Saxum Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 98 points

Decidedly cool climate in character, the 2011 James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock comes from steep, terraced plots of old head trained Syrah vines that, in 2011, wasn?t harvested until November. Co-fermented with a splash of Roussanne and Mourvedre, it?s a spectacular effort that makes the most of the cool, long growing season. It?s also the most long term prospect in the lineup. Offering up a tight, Cornas-like bouquet of black and blue fruits, white pepper, spring flowers and salty minerality, it is full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and seamless on the palate, with ultra-fine tannin and building richness that only starts to develop with a healthy decant. It?s a gorgeous wine, yet needs to be forgotten for at least 4-5 years. It should drink nicely through 2031.

Review Date: August 2014