2012 Pax James Berry Vineyard

The 2012 James Berry Proprietary Red is actually 80% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre, Syrah and Carignan. A relatively small cuvée from that great first-growth site in Paso Robles, with all these grapes cofermented, the result is a luscious, soft, wine with notes of chalk, kirsch liqueur, lavender and hints of raspberry and blueberry fruit. Medium-bodied, stylish and tasting as if these four grapes could be made in the way a Burgundian would make Pinot Noir, 100% stems were used, so maybe that explains it. This is a lovely, seductive wine to drink over the next 4-5 years.