2017 Broken Stones Syrah

Deep, shimmering purple. Highly expressive blackberry, cherry preserve, licorice pastille, Moroccan spice and potpourri scents are complemented by a smoky mineral overtone. Seamless and broad in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated black/blue fruit liqueur, cherry cola and candied violet flavors that become livelier as the wine opens up. Finishes extremely long and focused, with emphatic mineral thrust, rounded tannins and superb tenacity. (JR)

Glistening purple. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark fruit, spicecake, incense and candied flowers are given vivacity by a building, smoky mineral element. Sappy, palate-staining black and blue fruit, star anise and candied violet flavors become fleshier with air and show superb delineation. Suave, seamless and penetrating, finishing with outstanding, minerally thrust and even, slow-building tannins that are quickly absorbed by the wine's intense fruit.

The 2017 Broken Stones is made up of 66% Syrah, 16% Grenache, 14% Petite Sirah and 4% Mataro. It was made with 22% whole cluster and aged 19 months in various vessels including 84% new oak and 11% amphorae. Medium to deep ruby, it's scented of dried cranberries and sour cherries, blackberries, redcurrant, mint and bitter chocolate with touches of garrigue, dried thyme and warm earth with a meaty undertone. Slow to unfurl, the medium to full-bodied palate has nuanced spiciness with a firm, gently chewy tannins and surprising freshness to lift the long finish. 1,212 cases produced.