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.
Owned by Eric and Lisa Jensen, the Booker Vineyard is extremely steep and rocky with a mix of calcareous and siliceous soils. Saxum leases 2 acres of East facing Syrah that produces extremely concentrated fruit with great acidity.
Maroon in color. 15.6% ABV. 73% Syrah and 27% Mataro. Heady nose of black and blue fruits, Whitman Sampler Box, roasted herbs and violets. Full bodied with ample acidity. Exceptionally rich and lush. Blackberry, blueberry liqueur, smoke and pepper on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. In recent years I’ve come to prefer the Saxum wines that lean more heavily into Grenache but with that said there is nothing but greatness here. Best over the next 2-4 years.
My rating: 95 points.
Current wines from Saxum are available via the mailing list at $138. Saxum raised their prices several years and I am unclear how that affected the wait time to get on the mailing list.