Cracked last night:
1. Carlisle Syrah JamesBerryVnyd/PasoRobles (14.9%; 100 cs) 2006: Very dark/black color; very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah some jammy/PasoRobles/licorice slight earthy nose; soft slight alcoholic intense blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah/licorice/spicy some ripe/jammy rather structured/tannic very intense flavor; long very intense blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah/ripe/licorice somewhat tannic finish; speaks strongly of WestSide Paso Syrah but less jammy/ripe and more structured; one of the best Paso Syrahs I've had in a long time, needs another 4-10 yrs.
__________________________
A wee BP:
1. My first try at the JamesBerry '06 that I recall. Think this was Mike's first Paso Syrah. The JamesBerryVnyd is, of course, one of the best Syrah vnyds in Paso. This wine is still a youngster and very primary. Maybe the best JamesBerry Syrah I've yet had. It had classic Paso character, not as rich/soupy/over-the-top as some, more structured than most, and much more spiciness, something Mike seems to get in most of his wines. Terrific Syrah.
Tom