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.
Dark red in color. 15.5% ABV. 33% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 24% Syrah and 11% Counoise. Sublime nose of blue and black fruits, smoked meats and Whitman Sampler box. Medium to full bodied with ample acidity. This is still a big wine but the fruit is more restrained than opulent. Blueberry, blackberry, bittersweet chocolate and roasted herbs on the palate. The finish is long with grainy tannins. Good wine but I’ll stand by my theory that the Saxum lineup shows best from 6-10 years of bottle age. Best over the next 1-2 years.
My rating: 92 points.
The 2024 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.
6-10 years of bottle age is my thinking as well based on my experience drinking Saxum’s wines for roughly 20 years.
Sometimes bottles in the cellar just get away from you. C’est la vie.