2010 James Berry Proprietary Red

Readers will have to be patient with the 2010 James Berry Vineyard. Still reticent and very tightly wound, the 2010 is in no mood to show the full breadth of its personality. There is wonderful purity to the Grenache-inflected red toned fruit, even if the wine remains reticent. All of the energy and tension I found in the wine last year remains present. If anything, the 2010 is even less expressive today than it was a year ago. The James Berry is 52% Grenache (done in concrete), 26% Mourvèdre and 22% Syrah.

(32% grenache, 26% mourvedre and 22% syrah, mostly fermented in concrete; 15.8% alcohol): Glass-staining ruby. Ripe blackberry and cherry on the intensely perfumed nose and in the mouth. Dense but surprisingly energetic, offering sweet black raspberry and candied lavender flavors and a hint of cola. Supple tannins give shape to a long, sweet, strikingly lively finish, which echoes the floral note.

Saxum's 2010 James Berry Vineyard endowed with serious energy and tension dark red fruit, flowers and spices. Rose petals and a hint of sweet spices add lift on an energetic, intense finish layered with huge dark red fruit. The 2010 is 52% Grenache (done in concrete), 26% Mourvèdre and 22% Syrah.