Bright purple. Amazingly complex bouquet of spice-accented cassis, candied blackberry, fresh violet, cocoa powder and smoky minerals. Densely packed and sweet but also bright and lively, with potent dark berry, floral and licorice candy flavors that become smokier and spicier with air. Fine-grained, supple tannins come on late. This rich but lithe wine shows enormous potential but drinks extremely well now, with some aeration.

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The 2008 Bone Rock comes across as quite delicate and perfumed in its expressive bouquet. Hints of smoke, mint and tar add complexity to the dark, black fruit in this beautifully balanced wine. I find a bit more complexity and nuance in the 2008 than in the 2009. I especially like the aromatic lift and freshness here. The 2008 Bone Rock is 83% Syrah (75% whole clusters), 13% Mourvedre and 4% Grenache. The wine spent 30 months in French oak and was bottled in January 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020.

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Syrah driven (83 percent), tight and muscular, with dense, chewy tar, black berry, mineral, cedar and sage, roasted herb and sage, full blown and intense, yet for all its size and stature, it is very compelling and complete, sure to benefit from cellaring. Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache.

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Dark, ripe blueberry and blakberry with slight spice and licorice. Nicely integrated with moderate finish. Complex flavors typical of Saxum.