| Score: |
95 RP.
"The spectacular 2001 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock is a 300- case blend of 92% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, and 3% Grenache aged 21 months in both French and Hungarian oak. Racked once, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it takes its name from fossilized whale bones that were found imbedded in the vineyard’s steep, rocky terraces. It boasts great power and richness, but is incredibly well balanced. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by a huge perfume of blackberry liqueur, camphor, licorice, earth, and roasting meat juices. The fabulous complex aromatics are followed by a full-bodied Syrah with great purity, impeccable balance, and world-class richness, complexity, and stature. This amazing effort can be drunk now or cellared for a decade. This is the best recent trilogy I’ve experienced since Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings! An emerging superstar, Justin Smith, who “focuses exclusively on Syrah from the windswept hills of west Paso Robles,” is undoubtedly a talented winemaker. These wines’ richness, texture, and compelling aromatics have more in common with his southern neighbor, Sine Qua Non, than just about anything produced in the Paso Robles area. These wines rock ... and that’s putting it mildly!" Wine Advocate #154, Aug 2004 |