Assorted California Red Tasting Lot

“The dark purple hued 2008 Syrah James Berry Vineyard is tightly-knit and restrained, but with coaxing, it offers up scents of creme de cassis, blueberries, melted asphalt, and charcoal. Its impressive texture, stunning richness, and good underlying minerality suggest this brilliant Syrah will evolve for a decade or more.” (02/2010)

“Vivid, glass-staining purple. Sexy aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, smoky minerals, olive and black cardamom. Youthfully wound up on entry but explodes in the middle palate to offer deep dark fruit compote and spice flavors, with a sexy violet pastille quality on the back half. With air this became spicier as well as sweeter. The finish leaves palate-staining black and blue fruits behind, with dusty tannins adding grip. Seems more primary than the 2007 at the same stage. 92(+?)” (06/2010)

“The 2010 Leviathan is drop-dead gorgeous. Smoke, plums, mocha, graphite, savory herbs and tobacco all explode from the glass. Layered, rich and expressive, the 2010 impresses for its purity and depth. (AG)” (11/2013)

“A tight, young and vibrant red, with a pure, focused core of dried berry, currant and dill, expanding and gliding through the finish, where touches of dried herb and cedar reverberate. (JL)” (06/2013)