Saxum Vineyards is located in the Paso Robles AVA of Central California. Founded in the early 2000’s by Justin Smith, a young winemaker who had previously been part-owner of Linne Calodo, Saxum leapt into the limelight in late 2010 when its 2007 James Berry Vineyards wine was named the #1 Wine of 2010 by Wine Spectator. Smith owns the winery with his wife Heather, and produces up to 2,800 cases of wine a year.
The James Berry Vineyard is the Smith family’s estate vineyard. It is located 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean with an average elevation of 1200 feet.
Crimson in color. 15.5% ABV. 33% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 24% Syrah and 11 Counoise. Sublime nose of black and blue fruits, warm licorice, Whitman Sampler box and scorched earth. Full bodied with ample acidity. Well balanced with drying tannins. Blackberry, blueberry liqueur, kirsch and chocolate truffles on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. The once exuberant fruit is starting to fade ever so slightly but without question a delicious wine. Best over the next 1-2 years.
My rating: 94 points.
The 2023 version of this wine will be offered to the mailing list early next year.
Current wines from Saxum are available via the mailing list at $138 per bottle. There is a several year wait before you can expect to receive an offer.
Sorry to hear that the fruit is starting to fade on the 2015 James Berry Vineyard, Tom. At this moment I’m sipping juice from a bottle of Saxum 2017 Bone Rock. No such problem with this wine after 8 years from the vintage. This is an explosive wine! Layer upon layer of exuberant fruit is supported by a deep attack, midpalate, and finish! WOW, what a wine!
Fading but still delicious. I think you and I agree the sweet spot is 6-8 years from vintage. I’ll check out that Bone Rock soon. Cheers!
Yes indeed. The sweet spot is 6-8 years from the vintage depending on the specific wine. Cheers Tom!