Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Sporting a vibrant ruby, semi-opaque color, the 2010 James Berry Vineyard is the most tight, backward version of this cuvee that I can recall. A blend of 52% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, and 22% Syrah, it has a decidedly savory bouquet of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, violets, bouquet garni, ground pepper, and graphite. Full-bodied and layered on the palate, with brilliant mid-palate concentration, superb freshness, and masses of tannin, this brilliant Rhone blend from Paso Robles will stand toe-to-toe with the best wines out there, but it is not for those seeking instant gratification and will require 4-5 years of bottle age. In 2010, the Grenache component was aged in a combination of concrete tank and oak puncheons, and this shows in both the aromatics and texture, with less obvious sweetness and more freshness. It will evolve gracefully for two decades.
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Wine Spectator
The intense, vivid blackberry, blueberry, pepper and spice notes are tightly focused and persistent in this red, ending with a long finish and tannins that give the flavors traction. Very pure and rambunctious, and should only get better with time. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2014 through 2026.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Paso Robles has made a name for itself as a source of supple, powerful, fruit-driven Central Coast wines. But with eleven smaller sub-AVAs, there is actually quite a bit of diversity to be found in this inland portion of California’s Central Coast.
Just east over the Santa Lucia Mountains from the chilly Pacific Ocean, lie the coolest in the region: Adelaida, Templeton Gap and (Paso Robles) Willow Creek Districts, as well as York Mountain AVA and Santa Margarita Ranch. These all experience more ocean fog, wind and precipitation compared to the rest of the Paso sub-appellations. The San Miguel, (Paso Robles) Estrella, (Paso Robles) Geneso, (Paso Robles) Highlands, El Pomar and Creston Districts, along with San Juan Creek, are the hotter, more western appellations of the greater Paso Robles AVA.
This is mostly red wine country, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel standing out as the star performers. Other popular varieties include Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache and Rhône blends, both red and white. There is a fairly uniform tendency here towards wines that are unapologetically bold and opulently fruit-driven, albeit with a surprising amount of acidity thanks to the region’s chilly nighttime temperatures.