Joseph Barsky

9.5

2019 vintage. Needed time to breathe. Then it sang. — 7 days ago

Erik Rini

9.3

Almost 50% Syrah with depth — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Saxum James Berry Vineyard 2022
Paso Robles – Willow Creek District, California USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A powerful, high-octane Rhône-inspired blend driven by Grenache 48%, supported by Mourvèdre / Mataro 34%, Syrah 8%, Counoise 8%, and Carignan 2%, clocking in at a formidable 15.7% ABV. This is an unapologetically bold, savory, and densely structured wine built on concentration, extraction, and muscular tannins rather than finesse or freshness. The warmth and sheer intensity dominate the profile, making this a statement wine that clearly favors power-seekers over balance-driven palates.

Aromas & Flavors
Dark red and black fruit compote, roasted herbs, cured meat, dried Mediterranean spices, and earthy savory tones lead the nose. On the palate, dense blackberry, plum reduction, and baked cherry collide with pepper, leather, and umami notes, finishing with pronounced alcohol warmth and firm structural grip.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, dense, and firmly tannic with noticeable heat on the finish. The texture is packed and chewy rather than lifted or agile, delivering weight and intensity over elegance or precision.

Food Pairings
Slow-braised short ribs. Charcoal-grilled lamb. Smoked brisket. Rich game meats. Hard aged cheeses. Best enjoyed with substantial, protein-driven dishes to balance the wine’s power.

Verdict
An impressive example of Paso Robles muscle and concentration, but stylistically far from my personal preference. The elevated alcohol and bold extraction make this more overwhelming than pleasurable for my palate, despite the quality of fruit and craftsmanship. A wine that will thrill lovers of massive, savory, high-impact reds.

Did You Know?
James Berry Vineyard in the Willow Creek District sits on steep, rocky limestone soils, producing naturally low yields and highly concentrated fruit, a major reason Saxum wines are known for their intensity, structure, and cult following.

🍷 Personal Pick
While undeniably well made, this style is simply too warm and forceful for my palate. I personally gravitate toward wines with greater tension, freshness, and drinkability rather than sheer power. — 8 months ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.2

100% Grenache Very nice — 9 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2021 vintage. 01.11.25. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.5

I’ve got lots of love for these wines, but I always struggle with when to open. They are fantastic young and equally fantastic with age. Jeb said of this wine, “the greatest GSM blend from California, ever.”, and stamped it with a perfect score. Strong praise, and while I’m not there, I don’t regret opening this.

Consumed from decanter the first 2-3hrs before decanting back to bottle and finishing the remaining third later in the evening. Much better later in the day. Wound up tight initially. Classical high end Paso with this distinct airy-jammyness. So much going on with squeezed blackberries, peppercorn, lots of kirsch. Some garrigue. Mouth coating and a total wave of flavor on the palate…black fruit, cherry cordial, cherry drizzled smoked meats. It’s both supremely juicy and hauntingly tannic at the finish. Even with time to open, the ABV makes itself known, but you know that going in. If you like the style, it’s hard to beat. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This Saxum White Blend is unique & delicious. Cheers, Justin. 55% Grenache Blanc, 28% Roussanne & 5% Chenin Blanc.

The nose is a blood orange/tangerine that has orange at its center. White citrus’s-lemon-grapefruit, tropical melons, overripe yellow stone fruits. steeped sun tea, notes of marmalade fruit bits, brown sugar-molasses, caramel hues, some moist herbs, lite white spice, limestone, volcanic minerals, withering yellow lilies and carnations.

The palate is round, juicy and a bit viscous. Gentle oxie notes, Blood orange/tangerine that has orange at its center, white citrus’s-lemon-grapefruit-lime reduction, tropical melons, some pineapple, overripe yellow stone fruits. steeped sun tea, notes of marmalade fruit bits, brown sugar-molasses, caramel hues, some moist herbs, lite white spice w/ palate heat, saline, brioche, well toasted bread crust, frothy cream, white pepper hues, maple tree bark, limestone bits, volcanic minerals, withering yellow lilies and carnations, acidity is off the charts, rich, lush, well balanced, nicely toned structure with elegance for days and lasts minutes landing on darks sugars & spice.

What a beautiful wine experience. Loving it. This wine rips your mind apart. It is a heady wine. Drink now & for 5-7 yrs. — a month ago

KA

9.2

Brentwood — 3 months ago

Bev Perry

9.4

This was the 2014 vintage. — 8 months ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

8.9

Nice with honeysuckle and melon. But that label. — 9 months ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.3

Always amazing — a year ago

Raul Puga

9.5

OMFG. So good — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2016 vintage. Massive. Needs an 8hr/holiday decant. Was drinking great after open 3hrs but needed more airtime. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with cedar, light vanilla, licorice, chocolates, spices and black pepper.

Full bodied and soft with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth and peppercorn.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 7 year old red blend from San Luis Obispo in California is drinking very nicely now. Elegant and nicely balanced. Rich, extracted and fruit forward. Complex and interesting.

Will continue to drink nicely in the next few years, but will not get better from this point.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after a few hours of airtime.

Wine Advocate 94 points. Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.

A good sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot and 10% Malbec. Aged for 18 months in (60% new) French Oak barrels.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50. — a month ago

Diane Ramcharan

9.7

Finally opening this one up! — 3 months ago

with Michael

Stephen Mathews

9.3

17% alc is pushing it; even for me lol — 9 months ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.3

Very balanced fruity. Extended. 2022 — 9 months ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.3

Excellent. — 9 months ago

Raul Puga

9.5

WOW!! Needs a 2 hour decant but Omg 😜🥰 — 3 years ago

Gor

9.2

Big and broody - black cherries, plums, licorice, roses, hint of blood orange. Very concentrated and packs a tannic punch on the palate with a little graphite. — 4 years ago