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Inventory updated: Mon, Oct 05, 2026 04:02 PM cst
Discover the Cult Wines of Saxum
Few California producers have achieved the cult status and collector following of Saxum Vineyards. Founded by Justin Smith in Paso Robles, Saxum has built its reputation around small-production wines that combine remarkable intensity, complexity, and a distinctive sense of place.
Working with old-vine Rhône varieties planted across the rugged west side of Paso Robles, Saxum produces wines that are anything but conventional. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and other Rhône grapes come together in compelling blends that balance power with freshness, texture, and detail. The wines are generous and deeply expressive in their youth, yet possess the structure and concentration to reward serious cellaring.
What makes Saxum particularly compelling for collectors is the combination of limited production, consistently outstanding quality, and an unmistakable house style. These are wines with the richness and depth expected from California, but also with the savory character, mineral complexity, and energy that make the best bottles endlessly fascinating.
From celebrated vineyard sites to distinctive cuvées, Saxum offers an opportunity to explore some of Paso Robles’ most compelling wines. Whether you are looking to add a proven California collectible to your cellar or simply want to experience what makes Saxum so highly regarded, these bottles deserve attention.
The following are the wines remaining from the offer sent on Monday, October 5, 2026. Please enter your desired quantities and click the 'Add' button.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| Saxum |
2004 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend  |
$109 |
1 |
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| |
| VM 94 (9/2006): (85% syrah, with 12% grenache and 3% mourvedre; 15.8% alcohol) Deep, bright ruby-red. Deeply pitched aromas of black raspberry, violet, gunflint, tobacco, tar and cola. Lush and sweet but firm and imploded; deeper and more concentrated than the "regular" James Berry bottling but less evolved. Finishes with superb breadth and viscosity, but has the ripe acids-not to mention the rocky minerality-to maintain its shape and balance. Wonderfully deep wine. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2009 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
1 |
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| WA 94 (8/2011): The 2009 Bone Rock is a round, enticing red laced with sweet, succulent dark cherries, plums, flowers and spices. It shows remarkable intensity and fabulous balance. Bone Rock is made from the first blocks planted in the James Berry vineyard and is predominantly Syrah, while the James Berry Vineyard (the wine) is Grenache focused. In 2009 the blend was 57% Syrah, 31% Mourvedre and 12% Grenache. The Syrah component was vinified with 100% stems and saw a maceration lasting 50 days. The wine was aged in 60% new oak. Smith bottled the 2009 in May 2011, earlier than the norm (around 30 months), as he wanted to preserve the freshness he had in the tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. |
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2013 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$175 |
1 |
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| WA 99 (8/2015): Flirting with perfection, the 2013 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock is one of the wines of the vintage. Made from 80% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% each of Grenache and Roussanne, which saw a big chuck of whole clusters, it offers sensational aromas and flavors of black raspberries, violets, pepper and crushed rock that literally come leaping out of the glass. Full-bodied, seamless, elegant, yet concentrated and incredibly pure, with a finish that won't quit, this beauty will stand beside some of the greatest Hermitages out there. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 10-15 years. Unfortunately, due to ridiculously low yields, there won't be a Bone Rock released in 2014 or 2015, so don't miss this beauty! |
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2011 |
Booker Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$99 |
3 |
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WA 96 (8/2014): Beautifully done, and probably the most elegant, seamless version of this cuvee I’ve tasted, the 2011 Booker Vineyard offers terrific aromas and flavors of liquid violets, sappy underbrush, smoked , exotic spices and plenty of crushed rock-like minerality that are all carried by layers of sweet cassis and black raspberry. There’s a northern Rhone-like character here, but it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fantastic mid-palate concentration, and a seamless, layered and multi-dimensional mouthfeel that’s hard to resist. Made from 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvedre and aged in 300- and 350-liter hogsheads (and fermented with varying degrees of whole cluster), this beautifully pure, polished and complex effort will benefit from short-term cellaring and have over 15 years of overall longevity.
VM 94 (12/2013): Dark purple. Potent aromas of cassis, cherry liqueur, blueberry, Moroccan spices, violet and smoky minerals. Impressively deep but energetic, offering sappy dark fruit flavors laced with notes of mocha, violet, cola, five-spice powder and cracked pepper. Decidedly rich but this comes across as almost elegant, with impressive lift and energy thanks to bright, juicy acidity. The deep, sappy black and blue fruit flavors refuse to let go on the long, spicy finish.
VM 94 (7/2014): Pomegranate, plum, exotic spices, smoke and graphite are some of the many notes that are found in the 2011 Booker Vineyard. An exceptionally beautiful wine, the 2011 possesses remarkable depth and intensity. Expressive floral and citrus overtones develop in the glass, adding considerable brightness and aromatic nuance. Even though the 2011 is gorgeous today, my sense is it is holding back much of its potential. |
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2005 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$109 |
1 |
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WA 92-94 (8/2007): The 2005 Booker Vineyard (a new offering from a hillside vineyard closer to Highway 101) is a 400-case blend of 92% Syrah and 8% Grenache. This is quite full-bodied, powerful wine with loads of structure, unmistakable minerality, and moderately high tannin. The wine has sweet cassis, black cherry, and currant fruit, some hints of wet rocks, and firm tannins in the finish. Perhaps the most backward of all these wines, it seems to merit 3-4 years of bottle age and should evolve for possibly up to two decades.
VM 93 (12/2007): (92% syrah and 8% grenache) Bright purple. Powerfully scented nose offers smoky cassis and bitter cherry aromas, along with cured meat, violet and cigarbox; really smells like Cote-Rotie! Sweet and round, displaying intense red and dark berry preserve flavors and a strong mineral undertone, finishing with building tannins. Balances depth and energy as well as earth and fruit. A fascinating wine. |
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2008 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$119 |
2 |
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WA 98 (8/2010): The 2008 Booker Vineyard (92% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre, which had also been bottled immediately before my visit) has an opaque purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of black cherry, black currant, licorice, incense, and some Asian spices. The wine has seamless lushness, a voluptuous texture, stunning purity, and a very long, 40-second-plus finish. Booker is another top site that I believe was planted with Justin Smith’s help. It is a 40-acre vineyard sitting on similar limestone soils. This incredible wine would probably benefit from a couple of years of cellaring, as the structure is more present, no doubt due to the high level of Syrah in the wine. It should evolve for 10-15 more years.
VM 94 (12/2010): (syrah with a bit of mourvedre) Inky ruby. Raspberry and cherry preserves on the nose, with complicating notes of rose oil, Szechuan peppercorn and allspice. Impressively complex, sappy red berry compote flavors are given grip by a touch of cherry pit and gain sweetness with air. For such a massive wine there's uncanny energy here as well. The finish repeats the floral and spice notes and clings with superb clarity and intensity. |
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2009 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$129 |
2 |
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| |
| JD 98 (6/2012): Also showing at the top end of the barrel rating, the spectacular 2009 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard (70% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre aged for 24-26 months in barrel) is the most elegant, seamless Booker Vineyard I’ve tasted from this estate (and seems much more finesse driven now than when compared to my thoughts from barrel). Beautifully fresh and perfumed on the nose, with raspberry, crème de cassis, roasted meat, and spring flower like qualities, this full-bodied, voluptuously styled beauty has copious amount of sweet fruit, a silky, sexy texture, and a lengthy finish where more structure and tannin emerges. Despite all of the fruit here, this still needs short term cellaring. Give bottles 2-3 years, and then plan on drinking over the following 12-15+ years. |
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2010 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$129 |
3 |
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JD 98 (12/2012): Also spectacular, the 2010 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard - a blend of 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvedre - is about as textbook a representation of a Paso Robles Syrah as I can think of. Locked and loaded with notions of ripe black and blue fruits, smoke, bouquet garni, espresso, and licorice, it is unabashedly full-bodied, rich, and yet elegant on the palate. Showing real class, as well as first-rate freshness, superb depth and concentration, and masses of tannin, this blockbuster syrah needs a solid 3-4 years of bottle age to flesh out and will keep for 15-20 years or more.
WA 94-96 (8/2012): From another of the great vineyards in Westside Paso Robles, the 2010 Booker Vineyard comes across as big, dark and brooding. Black fruit, game, licorice and tar are some of the many notes that take shape in this huge, intense Syrah-based wine. The 2010 was aged in 350-liter barrels, 60-70% new, all of which the wine handles beautifully. Layers of fruit continue to blossom in the imposing, expansive finish. The blend is 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (81% syrah and 19% mourvedre): Inky purple. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes spicy red and dark berry liqueur, Indian spices, vanilla and floral oils. Spicy black raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors are complicated by notes of violet pastille and show a plush, seamless texture. Gains weight with air but retains clarity. The spicy note carries through an impressively long, juicy finish, which features ripe, harmonious tannins. |
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2012 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$119 |
1 |
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| WA 98 (8/2015): A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2012 Booker Vineyard is a blend of 73% Syrah and 27% Mourvedre that was aged 20-26 months in 60% new French oak. It's a classic expression of the vineyard and offers up lots of smoked meats, cracked pepper, wild herbs and tons of dark fruit. Big, full-bodied, thick and chewy, it has gorgeous purity and sweetness of fruit. It shows surprising finesse and elegance with time in the glass, but make no mistake, it's a big, rich and decadent beauty that will benefit from short-term cellaring and age for 15+ years. |
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2004 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$79 |
1 |
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| |
JD 94 (6/2008): The 2004 Saxum Broken Stones needs some air time to show well and even showed a slight sprits at first. There's tons of ripe, high toned and candied red fruit aromas on the nose but with air, it picked up more dark fruit, exotic spice and subtle herb notes. A couple hours into the evening and this had really smoothed out and improved. The palate is impressive with fantastic fruit, a mouth filling, lush texture and a clean, long finish. Soft, lush and ripe, this is drinking great.
WA 92 (8/2006): The 2004 Broken Stones is a 600-case blend of 75% Syrah, 22% Grenache, and 3% Mourvedre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet perfume of black cherries, cassis, and flowers. Medium to full-bodied and savory, with sweet tannin and a supple, approachable style, this fleshy, well-balanced red should age nicely for a decade or more.
VM 91 (10/2006): (75% syrah, 22% grenache and 3% mourvedre; 15.6% alcohol) Good bright ruby. Highly complex, perfumed aromas of raspberry, blackberry, violet, bitter chocolate, tobacco, flowers, pepper and underbrush. Sweet and juicy, with a gentle texture and concentrated flavors of blackberry and dark chocolate. Very suave, silky wine, finishing with lush tannins and subtle length. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
4 |
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| |
WA 94 (8/2010): The 2008 Broken Stones (79% Syrah, 13% Grenache, and the rest Mourvedre) has a bluish purple color to the rim, with the classic nose of camphor, charcoal, black currant, and blackberry with hints of licorice and smoke. This intense wine displays great fruit, some structure, and a beautifully seamless texture. It is more evolved and open than the 2007 was at the same time, and just slightly less profound. It should drink nicely for at least a decade.
VM 93 (12/2010): (79% syrah, 13% grenache and 8% mourvedre) Opaque purple. Exotic, floral and spice-accented black and blue fruits on the nose, with hints of fruitcake, vanilla and cola emerging with air. Impressively deep and powerful, offering sweet dark berry preserve and smoky spice flavors and a touch of candied violet. The extremely persistent finish is broad, sweet and penetrating, leaving smoke and spice notes behind. I like this wine's blend of depth and energy. |
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2009 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
8 |
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| WA 96 (8/2011): The 2009 Broken Stones is sourced from all of the estate’s vineyards, which in this vintage includes Padereweski fruit for the first time, although most of the fruit was sourced from James Berry. Today it comes across as rather tightly wound and implosive, although with air the wine’s potential becomes more evident. Dark cherries, licorice and smoke wrap around the intense finish. Floral notes add the final layers of complexity and nuance. This is another fabulous effort. In 2009 the blend is 60% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 12% Petite Sirah and 8% Grenache. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021. |
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2010 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
1 |
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| |
JD 96 (12/2012): Even more perfumed and upfront aromatically, the 2010 Saxum Broken Stones is a brilliant effort. A multi-vineyard blend of 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache, and 3% Petite Sirah that was aged mostly in new French oak, it offers up a gorgeously pure array of black raspberry, charcoal, licorice, lavender, and assorted floral qualities on the nose. This flows to a full-bodied, deft, and elegant palate that has no hard edges, a weightless feel, and masses of fine, yet firm tannin on the finish. Give bottles another year or three, and then drink over the following 12-15 years.
VM 94 (12/2012): (63% syrah, 19% mourvedre, 15% grenache and 3% petite sirah; 15.3% alcohol): A complex, smoky bouquet evokes red and dark berry liqueur, candied flowers and Asian spices. Supple and juicy on the palate, with zesty acidity giving spine and lift to the powerful black raspberry and mulberry flavors. The smoky note comes back on the strikingly long, mineral-driven finish, which is focused, sweet and extremely long.
WA 92-94 (8/2012): A rush of dark Syrah fruit announces the 2010 Broken Stones. Menthol, tar and sweet spices develop with time in the glass, adding considerable complexity and nuance. This is a seriously rich, intense wine endowed with deep layers of fruit and a huge, muscular finish. Here, too, I sense the wine is a bit tight, but it should be ready to go in another 6 months or so. The blend is 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache and 3% Petite Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. |
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2011 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$99 |
1 |
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| |
WA 96 (8/2014): The brilliant 2011 Syrah Broken Stones comes from a cooler block of the James Berry Vineyard and checks in as a blend of 78% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre and 4% Petit Sirah. Relatively forward (especially when compared to the locked up Bone Rock), with fabulous purity and freshness, it exudes notions of creme de cassis, blueberry, pepper, crushed flowers and sweet oak on the nose. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, yet with building richness and rock star length, it’s an elegant version of the cuvee to drink over the coming 15 years or more.
VM 95 (7/2014): A dark, mysterious beauty, the 2011 Broken Stones is laced with expressive dark red and black stone fruits, iron, smoke and French oak. This is one of the more explosive wines in Saxum's range of 2011s. The Broken Stones finishes with substantial depth and power. While oak levels have come down quite a bit here in recent years, Broken Stones is one wine in this range where the oak influence is noticeable. The blend is 78% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre and 4% Petite Sirah.Antonio Galloni. |
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2012 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
5 |
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WA 97 (8/2015): The 2012 Syrah Broken Stones is a beauty. Made from 79% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah and the rest Grenache, Mourvedre and Roussanne, it offers up full-bodied, decadent, yet incredibly pure notes of creme de cassis, smoked earth, pepper and violets. Seamless and silky, yet with a great mid-palate and notable tannin, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will have 15 years or more of overall longevity.
VM 95 (9/2015): Saturated purple. Spectactular perfume of fresh blueberry, boysenberry, incense, vanilla and smoky minerals, with suave allspice and star anise nuances coming up as the wine stretches out. Sweet, incisive and pure on the palate, offering an array of dark fruit liqueur and floral pastille flavors, along with suggestions of cola and spicecake. Leaves sexy lavender and blue fruit notes behind on an extremely long, vibrant finish that's firmed and focused by silky, fully integrated tannins. Josh Raynolds. |
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2005 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
1 |
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WA 94 (6/2008): The northern Rhone-like 2005 Heart Stone Vineyard is a blend of 44% Syrah, 33% Grenache, and 23% Mourvedre. A meaty nose with roasted Provencal herbs, cassis, blackberry, licorice, and smoke emerges from this Hermitage-styled effort. Structured and firm, it will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age, and should evolve effortlessly for a decade or more. The bottled 2005s are all performing well.
VM 92 (12/2007): Deep ruby. Room-filling bouquet of red and black fruits, Asian spices, fresh violet and lavender and suave vanillin oak. Vibrant, palate-staining raspberry and blackberry flavors deliver sweet depth, with zesty minerality adding energy. Silky tannins slowly build on the long, spicy finish. Seamless and elegant; this is more open than the Broken Stones today. |
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2006 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
1 |
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WA 93 (8/2009): A blend of 38% Syrah, 36% Grenache, and 26% Mourvedre, the 2006 Heart Stone Vineyard offers up scents of flowers, lavender, black cherries, raspberries, blackberries, underbrush, and forest floor. Justin Smith uses a lot of whole clusters in his fermentation, which seems to give his wines structure as well as nuance. This is the most French-like of Saxum’s 2006s, and it comes across like a restrained, northern Rhone-like effort that is only hinting at its ultimate potential. It will benefit from 1-3 years of cellaring, and should evolve for 10-15 years.
VM 92 (12/2008): ( 38% syrah, 36% grenache and 26% mourvedre) Bright red. Sexy, strongly floral aromas of strawberry, black raspberry and candied flowers, with a suave Christmas spice quality. Sappy and sweet, with vivid red fruit and floral pastille flavors and a seductive overlay of cinnamon and mace. Bright minerals add lift and cut to the sappy finish. This was fermented with about 35% whole clusters. |
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2008 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
2 |
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| WA 93 (8/2010): The 2008 Heart Stone, a blend of 47% Syrah, 39% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre, is very elegant but evolved and supple, with beautiful kirsch and black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, camphor, pepper, and a hint of lavender. More evolved than the 2007 was at a similar stage, but with slightly lower alcohols, its velvety tannins stand out in this rich, plush, opulent, voluptuously textured wine. Drink it over the next 7-10 years. |
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2010 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
3 |
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WA 95 (6/2014): More dense and rich, the 2010 Heart Stone Vineyard is a co-fermented blend of 51% Syrah and 49% Grenache that comes from a small 7-acre, south-facing vineyard located on the western side of Paso Robles. Aged mostly in large oak puncheons for 20-28 months, it offers up a savory, complex bouquet of kirsch and blackberry-like fruit, meat juice, Provencal herbs, dried licorice, and dusty minerality. Gorgeous on the palate as well, with a deft, elegant texture, building richness, and layers of chewy tannin, this beauty is reasonably approachable now, yet will be even better in 2-3 years. It will drink well for 12-15 years.
VM 94 (12/2012): (51% syrah and 49% grenache; 15.7% alcohol): Inky ruby. Powerful aromas of cherry-cola, blackberry, smoky minerals and violet, with a sexy oak spice nuance in the background. Lush and creamy on the palate, offering sweet, deeply concentrated dark berry flavors and a refreshing jolt of smoky minerals. Finishes bright and delineated, with lingering notes of cinnamon and candied flowers. |
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2011 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
2 |
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WA 95 (8/2014): The 2011 Heart Stone Vineyard is a blend of 58% Syrah, 37% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre that was brought up in mostly concrete, with 20% in puncheons. Showing beautifully from barrel, it didn’t disappoint from bottle and has a perfumed, elegant feel to its purple fruits, lavender, violets, white pepper and underbrush-like aromas and flavors. The whole cluster inclusion shows here, yet it has fantastic purity, fine tannin and integrated acidity. Give it another year in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2025.
VM 93-95 (8/2012): The 2011 Heart Stone Vineyard comes across as a bit more ethereal than some of the other 2011s here, but there is plenty of understated depth and resonance to be found in the dark cherries, sweet herbs, flowers and spices. The 2011 is 41% Syrah, 39% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre. The use of 60% whole clusters gives the 2011 much of its aromatic lift. This is very, very beautiful. The 2011 was all done in concrete.
VM 93 (12/2013): (58% syrah, 37% grenache and 5% mourvedre; no new oak and 14.8% alcohol, which is quite low by Saxum standards): Opaque purple. Highly perfumed aromas of dark fruit preserves, violet, olive tapenade and cracked pepper, with an exotic blood orange nuance emerging with aeration. Weighty but surprisingly lithe on the palate, offering sweet blueberry and mulberry flavors and strong floral and spicecake accents. Closes spicy and long, with supple tannins making a late appearance and adding gentle grip. |
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2004 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
2 |
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VM 93 (10/2006): Deep ruby-red. Slightly high-toned aromas of cherry, truffle, cotton candy and smoked meat. Silky-sweet and seductive on entry, then sappy and spicy in the middle, with terrific acidity framing and lifting the blueberry and violet flavors. Wonderfully sweet wine, finishing with smooth tannins and lovely perfume. A superb example of the captivating blends being made in Paso Robles from Rhone Valley grapes. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 91 (8/2006): The deep ruby/purple-hued 2004 James Berry Vineyard (500 cases) is a blend of 38% Syrah, 36% Grenache, and 26% Mourvedre. Sweet kirsch, licorice, cassis, and floral notes are found in this supple, round, tasty effort. Reminiscent of a 2003 Cotes de Nuits grand cru red Burgundy, it is complex as well as surprisingly forward. However, I suspect there is plenty in reserve. It will be interesting to follow this wine’s evolution. I do not think it will be one of Proprietor Justin Smith’s blockbusters, but it’s a beauty. |
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2008 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
4 |
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WA 98 (8/2010): The 2008 James Berry Vineyard (52% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre, and 17% Syrah) saw some of its Grenache aged in the concrete eggs that are now catching on among some of the top producers on California’s Central Coast. With strong minerality from the limestone soil, this exuberant, fleshy, full-bodied wine is already drinking well. (I believe it was actually bottled just a day or two before my visit, which makes its performance that much more remarkable.) Dense purple, with sweet notes of barbecue smoke and meats as well as roasted herbs, extravagant black cherry, black currant, and blackberry fruit are all present in this wine, but there is plenty of underlying structure that comes from both the minerality and the Mourvedre component. Pure, full-bodied, but again, impressively elegant and nuanced, this is a tour de force and another prodigious example of this extraordinary vineyard site.
VM 95+ (12/2010): (52% grenache, 31% syrah and 17% mourvedre; 15.8% alcohol) Glass-staining ruby. A drop-dead bouquet displays red and dark berry preserves, potpourri, incense and smoky minerals. Sweet, sappy and penetrating, with open-knit raspberry and blackberry flavors complemented by notes of candied rose and violet. The palate-staining finish is broad, spicy and extremely persistent. This wine is approachable now but really deserves a good five more years of age. |
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2009 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$149 |
6 |
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VM 98 (8/2011): Simply put, the 2009 James Berry Vineyard is one of the greatest young wines I have ever tasted from California, or anywhere for that matter. Bright, floral aromatics lead to expressive red fruit in this impossibly elegant, dazzling wine. A melange of rose petals, mint and licorice follows as the James Berry shows off its breathtaking clarity and finesse. Fine-grained, chalky tannins frame the exceptional finish. Frankly, I am surprised this is the first wine of the tasting. Where does one go from here? The 2009 James Berry is a bit of departure from previous vintages. This is the highest percentage of Grenache ever used in the blend, and a large portion of the Grenache was aged in concrete, an approach Smith has borrowed from producers in the Rhone. Originally Smith had intended to age less of the Grenache components in concrete, but the low yields of the vintage forced him to age about two-thirds of the Grenache in concrete. Call it a happy coincidence, but it certainly looks like things turned out well. Readers should do whatever they can to taste this fabulous wine. In 2009 the James Berry Vineyard is 57% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre and 12% Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.
JS 97 (10/2011): Beautiful aromas of violets and sandalwood. Bright fruit too, with citrus, zest and mineral notes. Full, yet compacted and dense. Long and spicy yet minerally and fruity.
VM 96 (10/2011): (57% grenache, 31% mourvedre and 12% syrah): Deep, bright violet. Intensely perfumed black raspberry and blueberry on the nose, with seductive Asian spice, lavender and incense qualities emerging with air. Sappy red and dark berry liqueur flavors are lifted by juicy acidity picking up suave spice and floral pastille notes on the back end. Velvety tannins provide shape but are absorbed by the lush fruit, which carries through an extremely long, sappy, incisive finish. |
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2009 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$315 |
1 |
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VM 98 (8/2011): Simply put, the 2009 James Berry Vineyard is one of the greatest young wines I have ever tasted from California, or anywhere for that matter. Bright, floral aromatics lead to expressive red fruit in this impossibly elegant, dazzling wine. A melange of rose petals, mint and licorice follows as the James Berry shows off its breathtaking clarity and finesse. Fine-grained, chalky tannins frame the exceptional finish. Frankly, I am surprised this is the first wine of the tasting. Where does one go from here? The 2009 James Berry is a bit of departure from previous vintages. This is the highest percentage of Grenache ever used in the blend, and a large portion of the Grenache was aged in concrete, an approach Smith has borrowed from producers in the Rhone. Originally Smith had intended to age less of the Grenache components in concrete, but the low yields of the vintage forced him to age about two-thirds of the Grenache in concrete. Call it a happy coincidence, but it certainly looks like things turned out well. Readers should do whatever they can to taste this fabulous wine. In 2009 the James Berry Vineyard is 57% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre and 12% Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.
JS 97 (10/2011): Beautiful aromas of violets and sandalwood. Bright fruit too, with citrus, zest and mineral notes. Full, yet compacted and dense. Long and spicy yet minerally and fruity.
VM 96 (10/2011): (57% grenache, 31% mourvedre and 12% syrah): Deep, bright violet. Intensely perfumed black raspberry and blueberry on the nose, with seductive Asian spice, lavender and incense qualities emerging with air. Sappy red and dark berry liqueur flavors are lifted by juicy acidity picking up suave spice and floral pastille notes on the back end. Velvety tannins provide shape but are absorbed by the lush fruit, which carries through an extremely long, sappy, incisive finish. |
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2010 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$135 |
1 |
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WA 97 (6/2014): Sporting a vibrant ruby, semi-opaque color, the 2010 James Berry Vineyard is the most tight, backward version of this cuvee that I can recall. A blend of 52% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, and 22% Syrah, it has a decidedly savory bouquet of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, violets, bouquet garni, ground pepper, and graphite. Full-bodied and layered on the palate, with brilliant mid-palate concentration, superb freshness, and masses of tannin, this brilliant Rhone blend from Paso Robles will stand toe-to-toe with the best wines out there, but it is not for those seeking instant gratification and will require 4-5 years of bottle age. In 2010, the Grenache component was aged in a combination of concrete tank and oak puncheons, and this shows in both the aromatics and texture, with less obvious sweetness and more freshness. It will evolve gracefully for two decades.
VM 94 (12/2012): (32% grenache, 26% mourvedre and 22% syrah, mostly fermented in concrete; 15.8% alcohol): Glass-staining ruby. Ripe blackberry and cherry on the intensely perfumed nose and in the mouth. Dense but surprisingly energetic, offering sweet black raspberry and candied lavender flavors and a hint of cola. Supple tannins give shape to a long, sweet, strikingly lively finish, which echoes the floral note. |
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2011 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$225 |
1 |
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WA 96+ (8/2014): Reminding me of a top 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape (the 2010 Raymond Usseglio Cuvee Imperiale to be exact), the 2011 James Berry Vineyard is a blend of 69% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 2% Counoise, and a splash of Roussanne, that was aged in a combination of concrete (Grenache) and larger oak puncheons. A fresh, detailed and more elegant example of the cuvee, it offers gorgeous notes of ripe berry fruit, loads of exotic spice, violets, pepper and lavender to go with a full-bodied, beautifully pure and layered profile on the palate. It’s no blockbuster, but has loads of energy and tension, as well as class and refinement. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy it over the following decade or longer.
VM 94 (12/2013): (69% grenache, 15% mourvedre, 13% syrah, 2% counoise and 1% roussanne; 15.5% alcohol): Inky ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of red fruit liqueur, lavender and Asian spices, with a bright mineral overtone. Rich and fleshy but lively, offering intense raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and exotic star anise and floral pastille accents. Silky tannins sneak in late and add shape to a long, smooth and alluringly sweet finish. The grenache in this blend was raised in a large concrete vat. |
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2012 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
2 |
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WA 97+ (8/2014): There are 1,580 cases of the 2012 James Berry Vineyard and it reminds me of the 2009 Janasse Chaupin (which is one of Justin’s favorite wines). Incorporating more Mourvedre than normal, it’s made from 43% Grenache, 29% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah and 10% Counoise that’s aged in a combination of concrete and barrel. Rock star stuff, with fabulous black raspberry, cassis, spring flowers and charred meat aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, yet stays lively, incredibly pure and elegant, with lots of fine tannin emerging on the finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar and have 15-20 years of ultimate longevity.
VM 94+ (7/2014): The 2012 James Berry Vineyard stands out for its textural finesse, sweetness and overall balance. Sweet spices, red berries and flowers all meld together in a decidedly silky James Berry. The 2012 is 42% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 18% Syrah and 10% Counoise. More expressive today on the palate than in its aromatics, the 2012 remains a baby. |
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2009 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
2 |
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WA 97 (8/2011): The 2009 Paderewski Vineyard is a new bottling from a site Smith developed for Bill and Liz Armstrong, the owners of Epoch. Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Sirah and Mourvedre are planted in separate plots but co-fermented. Layers of dark fruit meld into flowers, mint, sweet spices, menthol, eucalyptus and plums, with marvelous density and harmony. This shows superb aromatic complexity and tons of nuance to match its absolutely striking personality. It is a dazzling effort, especially for a young vineyard in just its third leaf. The blend was 39% Zinfandel, 38% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah and 10% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.
JD 93-96 (12/2011): The 2009 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, 39% Zinfandel, 38% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, and 10% Mourvedre, yields and complex array of bramble driven fruits, violets, licorice, and spice on the nose. Upfront and intensely perfumed, this full bodied, round, supple blend is beautifully textured through the middle, and carries a healthy dose of rustic tannin on the finish. Straight up delicious, this beauty will be a hedonistic delight on release, with 10-12 years or more of prime drinking!
VM 93 (10/2011): (39% zinfandel, 38% syrah, 13% petite sirah and 10% mourvedre, all co-fermented): Inky purple. Seductively perfumed aromas of dark berry preserves, potpourri, Asian spices, anise and mocha. Broad, sweet and spicy in the mouth, showing Outstanding vivacity to its black and blue fruit flavors accented by clove and candied flowers. Finishes spicy and lucid. This is the first release for this bottling.
JS 93 (10/2011): This is full and spicy with blackberry and spices with a chalk and dried fruits. Round and velvety. A little warm but I like the spices. This is wine from a vineyard on Peachy Canyon road. Solid core of fruit here. 39% Zinfandel, 38% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah, and 10% Mouvedre. Drink now or hold. |
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2010 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
2 |
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VM 95 (7/2013): The 2010 Paderewski Vineyard is firing on all cylinders today. The Zinfandel is very much front and center in a big, boisterous wine full of personality. Mocha, chocolate, spice and plum notes caress the palate in a succulent, highly expressive wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. This is without question the biggest and most exuberant of the Saxum wines. Today it is stunning. The 2010 is 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvèdre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah.
WA 95 (8/2012): The 2010 Paderewski Vineyard caresses the palate with layers of expressive, sensual fruit. Zinfandel plays the leading role in the Paderewski, and that comes through loud and clear in the wine's inner perfume and sweetness. The 2010 boasts gorgeous length and purity, even if it is a bit tight from its recent bottling. Paderewski is a little warmer than some of the other sites Saxum works with, which seems to give the wine a note of softness that is immensely appealing, especially with some time in the glass. The 2010 is 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvedre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (35% zinfandel, 26% mourvedre, 19% tempranillo, 11% syrah and 9% petite sirah; 16.1% alcohol): Opaque purple. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays scents of spice-accented black raspberry, cherry, violet and incense, with a bright mineral quality gaining power with air. Densely packed but impressively vibrant, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors that show iqueur-like depth and intensity. Floral pastille and raspberry notes carry through a long, sappy, seamless finish. |
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2011 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$225 |
1 |
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WA 97 (8/2014): Kicking off the 2011s and about as seductive and sexy as they come in the vintage, the 2011 Paderewski Vineyard is an eclectic blend of 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvedre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah that comes from a warmer terroir of chalky, calcareous soils. Full-bodied, seamless and perfectly balanced, it offers brilliant aromas and flavors of black raspberry, rose petal, bramble and violets that are to die for. A big wine to be sure, yet it stays remarkably elegant, poised and fresh on the palate, with no hard edges and an approachable, utterly impossible-to-resist profile that keeps you pouring another glass. Enjoy this gorgeous wine anytime over the coming 10-12 years.
VM 94 (12/2013): (34% zinfandel, 31% mourvedre, 16% tempranillo and 10% syrah; 15.7% alcohol): Inky purple. Powerful, expansive aromas of dark berry compote, cola, dark chocolate and licorice, with a smoky mineral quality adding vivacity. Sappy, deeply pitched blackberry and cassis flavors are sharpened by juicy acidity and gain sweetness with air. Shows Outstanding clarity and power on the finish, which features supple tannins and sweet, clinging dark berry preserve and floral pastille notes.
VM 94 (7/2014): One of the more immediate wines in this range of the 2011s, the Paderewski Vineyard, is voluptuous and textured to the core, with huge dark red/black fruit, spice and leather notes. The Paderewski is dense and powerful, with plenty of immediacy but a touch less overall complexity than some of the other wines in the range. Still, the marriage of varieties in this Zinfandel-based red is terrific. In 2011, the Paderewski is 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvèdre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah. |
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2012 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$135 |
2 |
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WA 96+ (8/2014): Surprisingly tannic and structured for a wine that’s normally the most approachable and sexy, the 2012 Paderewski Vineyard checks in as a blend of 45% Zinfandel, 36% Mourvedre, 12% Tempranillo and 7% Petite Sirah. It possesses the classic chalky minerality of the vineyard to go with exotic perfumed notes of black raspberry, plums, brambly underbrush and assorted background meatiness. This all flows to a full-bodied, elegant and polished wine that has solid mid-palate depth and chewy, firm tannin on the finish. Give this a year or more in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2024.
VM 92+ (7/2014): Zinfandel is especially prominent in the 2012 Paderewski Vineyard. Dark red cherries, kirsch, sweet spices and wild flowers are all laced together in a silky, gracious wine. The Paderewski is quite pretty, but also a bit subdued, perhaps because of its recent bottling. It will be interesting to see if the 2012 fleshes out in bottle. The blend is 45% Zinfandel, 36% Mourvèdre, 12% Tempranillo and 7% Syrah. |
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2010 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
2 |
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JD 95+ (12/2012): The 2010 Saxum Terry Hoage Vineyard is a blend of 46% Syrah, 33% Grenache, and 21% Mourvedre that comes from Jennifer and Terry Hoage’s west side Paso vineyard. Less gamey than when tasted from barrel, it offers up a pure, beautifully fresh bouquet of red and black fruits, spring flowers, ground pepper, leather, and wet stone like minerality that flows to a rich, fabulously concentrated, and textured palate. Showing the savory, mineral characteristics of the vintage, as well as noticeable underlying tannin, this gorgeous effort needs short term cellaring, and will thrill for over a decade.
WA 94+ (8/2012): Here in its first vintage, the 2010 Terry Hoage Vineyard bursts onto the palate with rich, dark fruit. The weight power and richness of Syrah comes through beautifully in the layered, sumptuous wine. Flowers, licorice, mint, tobacco and grilled herbs wrap around the finish. The 2010 boasts serious density and fabulous overall balance. It is terrific first effort. The blend is 46% Syrah, 33% Grenache and 21% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (46% syrah, 33% grenache and 21% mourvedre, a third fermented with whole clusters; 15.1% alcohol): Vivid ruby. Seductive, highly perfumed nose displays strikingly pure raspberry and floral aromas. Fleshy red and dark berry flavors are enlivened by intriguing blood orange and floral pastille accents and become spicier with air. Picks up a suggestion of mocha on the finish, which is impressively focused, balanced and long. |
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2011 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
1 |
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WA 95 (8/2014): More approachable and a sexy, seamless and layered effort, the 2011 Terry Hoage Vineyard (51% Grenache and 49% Syrah) has a distinct floral quality to go with fabulous creme de cassis, black raspberry, violets and licorice aromas and flavors. Possessing full-bodied richness and an elegant, focused and pure style, it benefits from a decant if drinking anytime soon, and will have over a decade of longevity.
VM 93 (12/2013): (51% grenache and 49% syrah; 15.3% alcohol): Opaque ruby. Highly expressive scents of red- and blackcurrant, cherry, smoky minerals, licorice and flowers. Fresh and precise but deeply concentrated, with sweet red berry compote and cassis flavors, supple texture and an exotic floral pastille quality. Becomes spicier with air and finishes pliant and long, with subtle tannins and a whiplash of peppery spices. |
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2013 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$115 |
1 |
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WA 96 (8/2016): Lastly, the 2013 Terry Hoage Vineyard is a forward, exotic effort that's made from 57% Syrah, 29% Grenache and 14% Mourvedre. It is one of the more fresh and lively wines in the lineup, with notes of passion fruits, jolly rancher, plums, spice and green herbs (Justin always finds a touch of watermelon rind from this site). This beauty is full-bodied, silky and beautifully textured on the palate, with impeccable balance and a great finish. Drink this puppy anytime over the coming decade or so.
VM 93 (9/2015): Inky ruby. A wild, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, sandalwood, vanilla and smoky minerals, with a suave floral pastille nuance coming up with air. Broad, seamless and sweet on the palate, offering intense black raspberry and lavender flavors and a deeper suggestion of bitter chocolate. Energetic and deep, with no excess fat. Finishes with superb clarity and persistence, leaving a sweet red fruit liqueur note behind. Josh Raynolds. |
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2008 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
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| WA 96 (8/2011): 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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2011 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
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| WA 97+ (5/2018): The 2011 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock opens in the glass with complex aromas of ripe black fruits, rich spice, cracked pepper, licorice and savory notions of grilled meats. On the palate, it's full-bodied, fine-grained and intensely concentrated, with a firm, tight-knit core and unusual energy. The finish is long, precise and penetrating. While the 2011 vintage tends to be tainted by association with the challenges producers faced on California's North Coast, conditions were not so adverse in Paso Robles: at Saxum, the year seems to have produced some of the most tight-knit wines of Justin Smith's career, and the wines have the potential to be unusually long-lived. |
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2012 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$150 |
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| WA 99 (8/2015): The 2012 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock is the star of the show in 2012. Borderline perfection, it has straight up awesome notes of black and blue fruits, pepper, crushed violets and searing chalky minerality that shows on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, it's a stacked, concentrated, layered Syrah that never puts a foot wrong. Give it 2-4 years and enjoy bottles through 2032. |
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2010 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Syrah |
$149 |
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WA 99 (6/2014): Coming from a steep, terraced plot of head-trained Syrah, the 2010 James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock (90% Syrah and 10% Roussanne) is easily the most structured, intense wine in the lineup. Sporting absolutely off-the-hook aromas of smoked meats, black fruits, liquid mineral, pepper, and cigar wrapper, it flows onto the palate with a thick, incredibly rich texture that somehow manages to stay light and fresh. A total behemoth, it needs time to fully flesh out, yet is up there with some of the most monumental young wines I’ve tasted. It should be forgotten for 3-4 years, and then consumed over the following two decades.
VM 96 (12/2012): (includes 11% roussanne and made with 50% whole clusters; 15.6% roussanne): Opaque ruby. A heady, alluringly perfumed bouquet displays scents of cherry compote, black raspberry, potpourri and incense. Deep, sweet and pliant, showing remarkably intense, concentrated red and blue fruit preserve flavors and a sexy floral pastille nuance. Shows superb clarity and energy on the gently tannic finish, which leaves sappy red fruit and floral notes behind. |
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2008 |
Booker Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$125 |
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WA 98 (8/2010): The 2008 Booker Vineyard (92% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre, which had also been bottled immediately before my visit) has an opaque purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of black cherry, black currant, licorice, incense, and some Asian spices. The wine has seamless lushness, a voluptuous texture, stunning purity, and a very long, 40-second-plus finish. Booker is another top site that I believe was planted with Justin Smith’s help. It is a 40-acre vineyard sitting on similar limestone soils. This incredible wine would probably benefit from a couple of years of cellaring, as the structure is more present, no doubt due to the high level of Syrah in the wine. It should evolve for 10-15 more years.
VM 94 (11/2010): (syrah with a bit of mourvedre) Inky ruby. Raspberry and cherry preserves on the nose, with complicating notes of rose oil, Szechuan peppercorn and allspice. Impressively complex, sappy red berry compote flavors are given grip by a touch of cherry pit and gain sweetness with air. For such a massive wine there's uncanny energy here as well. The finish repeats the floral and spice notes and clings with superb clarity and intensity. |
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2007 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
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WA 98 (8/2010): The late-released 2007 Heart Stone, which spent 28 months in a combination of barrels, demi-muids, and pungeons, turned out to be a final blend of 65% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre. Like all of Justin Smith’s 2007s, it is a riveting, sensational wine that carries its heavy weight, profound richness, and intensity very gracefully. That is no doubt an effect of the limestone soils of this region. Blackberry and smoked meats as well as some garrigue and floral notes are followed by a dense, rich, pure, multi-layered wine that just screams for grilled poultry or meats! Bottled unfined and unfiltered (and as I recall, 25-35% stems/whole clusters were used during fermentation), this is a fabulous wine that combines power and elegance. It should drink well for at least a decade or more.
JD 98 (11/2010): The lightest and most vibrant of the ‘07s, the 2007 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard is a blend of 65% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre, from limestone soils, which saw close to 30% whole cluster and spent 26 months in oak. The Grenache really shows and the wine exhibits exceptional aromatics of spiced red fruits, underbrush, flowers, and graphite on the nose. This develops beautifully in the glass and shows awesome purity and precision. Silky and elegant on the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied and perfectly balanced, possessing a layered, rich, yet light texture, vibrant acidity, and a very long, focused finish that highlights fine-grained, ripe tannin. I love the delineation this shows, and while superb right now, I think this will benefit from 2 to 3 years in the cellar and then drink beautifully for 12 to 15 years.
VM 93+ (11/2010): (65% syrah, 21% grenache and 14% mourvedre) Opaque purple. Explosive aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, pomegranate molasses and Asian spices. Densely packed red and dark fruit flavors show intense spiciness and unfurl slowly to offer sexy floral character. Dense but with unlikely energy and finesse; this is just hinting at its potential. Josh Raynolds. |
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2011 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
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WA 97 (8/2014): Kicking off the 2011s and about as seductive and sexy as they come in the vintage, the 2011 Paderewski Vineyard is an eclectic blend of 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvedre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah that comes from a warmer terroir of chalky, calcareous soils. Full-bodied, seamless and perfectly balanced, it offers brilliant aromas and flavors of black raspberry, rose petal, bramble and violets that are to die for. A big wine to be sure, yet it stays remarkably elegant, poised and fresh on the palate, with no hard edges and an approachable, utterly impossible-to-resist profile that keeps you pouring another glass. Enjoy this gorgeous wine anytime over the coming 10-12 years.
VM 94 (12/2013): (34% zinfandel, 31% mourvedre, 16% tempranillo and 10% syrah; 15.7% alcohol): Inky purple. Powerful, expansive aromas of dark berry compote, cola, dark chocolate and licorice, with a smoky mineral quality adding vivacity. Sappy, deeply pitched blackberry and cassis flavors are sharpened by juicy acidity and gain sweetness with air. Shows Outstanding clarity and power on the finish, which features supple tannins and sweet, clinging dark berry preserve and floral pastille notes.
VM 94 (7/2014): One of the more immediate wines in this range of the 2011s, the Paderewski Vineyard, is voluptuous and textured to the core, with huge dark red/black fruit, spice and leather notes. The Paderewski is dense and powerful, with plenty of immediacy but a touch less overall complexity than some of the other wines in the range. Still, the marriage of varieties in this Zinfandel-based red is terrific. In 2011, the Paderewski is 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvèdre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah. |
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2012 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
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WA 97 (8/2014): Just bottled five weeks ago, the 2012 Terry Hoage Vineyard (330 cases) is a thrilling blend of 51% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 18 % Mourvedre. It has an up front approachable and sexy feel in its cherry blossom and black raspberry fruit, crushed flowers and spice aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated and with sweet tannin, it’s the most ready-to-go in the lineup, yet will still have 10-12 years of longevity.
VM 92+ (7/2014): Silky and layered in the glass, the 2012 Terry Hoage Vineyard is a bit laid back for a site that has typically yielded more forward, fruit-driven wines. Plum, sweet spice and mint notes are all laced together nicely in the glass. Overall, the 2012 is a very pretty, feminine wine built more on grace than power. The 2012 is 51% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 18 Mourvèdre, picked a little earlier than the other wines in the range. |
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