2007 Wind Gap Grenache/Mourvèdre/Syrah James Berry Vineyard
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(a 51/33/16 blend, fermented 100% with whole clusters) Bright ruby. Pungently spicy nose shows vivid, perfumed raspberry, boysenberry, Asian spice and floral scents. Sweet and enveloping, with a lovely precise touch of minerality leavening the wine's substantial, alluringly smoky red and dark fruit flavors. Finishes strong, with resonating spice and floral qualities and slow-building tannins. Mahle told me he was looking at Vieux Donjon for inspiration here.
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From Pax Mahle’s new operation, the 2007 Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah James Berry Vineyard (51%, 33%, and 16% respectively) exhibits a southern Rhone-like bouquet of kirsch, lavender, pepper, sandalwood, spice, and berries, a dark ruby color, medium body, and an excellent finish. Drink it during its first 4-5 years of life. Tel. (707) 887-9100; Fax (707) 887-9101
From the grand cru site, the James Berry Vineyard, owned by Justin and Heather Smith, the 2007 Proprietary Red is a whole cluster-fermented blend of 50% Grenache, 33% Mourvedre, and the rest Syrah. This wine has excellent elegance, with sweet kirsch fruit intermixed with some fresh porcini mushrooms, damp earth, and spice. It is an intriguing, spicy, peppery style of wine that should drink nicely for 5-6 years. (Not yet released) This is the beginning project of Pamela and Pax Mahle. (They are shooting for a potential 3,500 cases with the 2008 vintage.) Most of these cuvees range between 125 cases and 225-250 cases. Tel. (707) 887-9100