Saxum Vineyards
James Berry Vineyard Grenache Blend
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
94 that leans into 95.
42% Grenache, 24% Mourvedre, 21% Syrah, 8% Coundise & 3% Roussanne. 15.8% ABV but drinks like 14.5-14.9. Pairing is Allen Brother’s Cowgirls.
This has nice evolution & integration.
It is ripe, juicy, lush grapey, very Grenache style with a bit of funk-gym locker. Blackberries, black raspberries, stewed plum, spiced dark cherries, cherries, deep, dark spices, black pepper, tary notes, steeped fruit tea, dry leaves, cigar with ash, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, limestone minerals, clove, dark spice, cinnamon stick, mid berry cola, liquid violets, lavender with dark & red flowers, excellent waterfall acidity. Balanced, excellent tension, richness, elegance and refined polish.
94 that leans into 95.
42% Grenache, 24% Mourvedre, 21% Syrah, 8% Coundise & 3% Roussanne. 15.8% ABV but drinks like 14.5-14.9. Pairing is Allen Brother’s Cowgirls.
This has nice evolution & integration.
It is ripe, juicy, lush grapey, very Grenache style with a bit of funk-gym locker. Blackberries, black raspberries, stewed plum, spiced dark cherries, cherries, deep, dark spices, black pepper, tary notes, steeped fruit tea, dry leaves, cigar with ash, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, limestone minerals, clove, dark spice, cinnamon stick, mid berry cola, liquid violets, lavender with dark & red flowers, excellent waterfall acidity. Balanced, excellent tension, richness, elegance and refined polish.
Leans into 9.4 after a two-three hour decant and in the closing sips.
Juicy mid fruits, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, some pomegranate, red licorice, grainy top soil to pebbles, black licorice, dry clay, dark, dry earth, dry herbs-Thyme, dry tobacco, cedar shavings, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, fresh red, dark & blue florals, rainfall acidity and a finish that is well structured, balanced, polished and lasts two-minutes.
Leans into 9.4 after a two-three hour decant and in the closing sips.
Juicy mid fruits, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, some pomegranate, red licorice, grainy top soil to pebbles, black licorice, dry clay, dark, dry earth, dry herbs-Thyme, dry tobacco, cedar shavings, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, fresh red, dark & blue florals, rainfall acidity and a finish that is well structured, balanced, polished and lasts two-minutes.
Good fruit. Time to drink I think but it still needs to open a bit. Some good dark fruit with wintergreen present. Trying another glass tonight to see how it evolves.
Good fruit. Time to drink I think but it still needs to open a bit. Some good dark fruit with wintergreen present. Trying another glass tonight to see how it evolves.
Jul 19th, 2020
I must be doing something right to have had both the ‘12 and ‘13 only a few days apart. This was really good. I said it in my ‘13 post, but Saxum’s spin on Grenache is gorgeous! Sweet and spicy red fruits with cracked black pepper, rum cake, and almost a carbonic gumminess on the nose. Layers of Rhubarb tart, crunchy cherries and blackberries with cedar shavings on the palate. Thanks @Keith Fisher .
I must be doing something right to have had both the ‘12 and ‘13 only a few days apart. This was really good. I said it in my ‘13 post, but Saxum’s spin on Grenache is gorgeous! Sweet and spicy red fruits with cracked black pepper, rum cake, and almost a carbonic gumminess on the nose. Layers of Rhubarb tart, crunchy cherries and blackberries with cedar shavings on the palate. Thanks @Keith Fisher .
Oct 14th, 2019Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!
I normally lean toward Syrah dominant wines, but I’m really starting to appreciate Saxum’s play on Grenache. Lots of spiced red fruits here like rhubarb and peppercorn dusted black cherries with some sweet baking spices. Great acidity here and not remotely close to tasting like its ABV. Palate is similar to the aromatics with bright red fruit but has a core of black peppercorn, jerky and underripe blackberries. Very good right now.
Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!
I normally lean toward Syrah dominant wines, but I’m really starting to appreciate Saxum’s play on Grenache. Lots of spiced red fruits here like rhubarb and peppercorn dusted black cherries with some sweet baking spices. Great acidity here and not remotely close to tasting like its ABV. Palate is similar to the aromatics with bright red fruit but has a core of black peppercorn, jerky and underripe blackberries. Very good right now.
Our wine pairing with Kentucky Bourbon marinaded chicken skews.
The blend is; 43% Ganache, 29% Mourvèdre, 18% Syrah and 10% Goundise.
The nose reveals; ripe; spiced, blackberries, black plums, purple fruit blend, dark currants/cassis, dark poached cherries, anise to black licorice, dark Asian spice, sweet, syrupy tarriness, dark chocolate, steeped fruit tea, crushed, dry rocks, dark, rich soils, blackberry jam, incense, limestone minerals, black & white pepper, candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals.
The body is medium, rich and gorgeous. The fruits are perfectly ripe. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting their stride. Still has 10 years plus of good drinking ahead. The fruits on the palate are bright, juicy and ripe. It’s drinking beautifully and has that gorgeous/sexy sensation. Spiced, blackberries, black plums, purple fruit blend, dark cassis, dark poached cherries, creamy raspberries, mixed berry fruit cola, cherry kirsch, anise to black licorice, dark Asian spice with just a touch of heat, sweet, syrupy tarriness, dark chocolate, coco powder, steeped fruit tea, vanillin notes, crushed, dry rocks, dark, rich soils, blackberry jam, incense, limestone minerals, dry top soil, dry underbrush, softer black & white pepper than the nose, leathery, some fresh tobacco, candied & bright; dark, red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is waterfall perfect. The long, elegant, ripe, juicy, well balanced fruit & earth finish is delightfully persistent for several minutes. Another all-star blend from Justin.
Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone. Cheers! 🍷
Photos of, Saxum winery, James Berry Vineyard and Owner-Winemaker, Justin Smith.
Our wine pairing with Kentucky Bourbon marinaded chicken skews.
The blend is; 43% Ganache, 29% Mourvèdre, 18% Syrah and 10% Goundise.
The nose reveals; ripe; spiced, blackberries, black plums, purple fruit blend, dark currants/cassis, dark poached cherries, anise to black licorice, dark Asian spice, sweet, syrupy tarriness, dark chocolate, steeped fruit tea, crushed, dry rocks, dark, rich soils, blackberry jam, incense, limestone minerals, black & white pepper, candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals.
The body is medium, rich and gorgeous. The fruits are perfectly ripe. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting their stride. Still has 10 years plus of good drinking ahead. The fruits on the palate are bright, juicy and ripe. It’s drinking beautifully and has that gorgeous/sexy sensation. Spiced, blackberries, black plums, purple fruit blend, dark cassis, dark poached cherries, creamy raspberries, mixed berry fruit cola, cherry kirsch, anise to black licorice, dark Asian spice with just a touch of heat, sweet, syrupy tarriness, dark chocolate, coco powder, steeped fruit tea, vanillin notes, crushed, dry rocks, dark, rich soils, blackberry jam, incense, limestone minerals, dry top soil, dry underbrush, softer black & white pepper than the nose, leathery, some fresh tobacco, candied & bright; dark, red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is waterfall perfect. The long, elegant, ripe, juicy, well balanced fruit & earth finish is delightfully persistent for several minutes. Another all-star blend from Justin.
Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone. Cheers! 🍷
Photos of, Saxum winery, James Berry Vineyard and Owner-Winemaker, Justin Smith.
En Mag from @Mike R so much good stuffing. I prefer these Saxum JBs with ample bottle age and this was exemplary at 11 years. Roasted game meats, white pepper (on the bouquet and on the palate) and kirsch. Full bodied with finesse. I believe this is more than 50% Grenache. Big props.
En Mag from @Mike R so much good stuffing. I prefer these Saxum JBs with ample bottle age and this was exemplary at 11 years. Roasted game meats, white pepper (on the bouquet and on the palate) and kirsch. Full bodied with finesse. I believe this is more than 50% Grenache. Big props.
May 18th, 2019Fun afternoon at Classic with great company. Glad you could join us Bryan.
This was my contribution and I loved being able to try this alongside the ‘11 that Bryan brought. So different! The ‘11 had almost 25% more Grenache than this, and was definitely lighter, spicer and had more acidity. This was dark and brooding and had more tannin on the finish. Fresh squeezed ripe blueberries and blackberries with peppercorn strip and charred plum. Obviously young, I re-corked and will update tomorrow...
Day 2: More floral up front on the nose and more savory on the palate with graphite and herbs de Provence. Decidedly more red fruit dominant at the finish...rhubarb and black cherry. More complexity for sure. Enjoyable now if given a 2hr decant, or hold for 2-3 more years.
Fun afternoon at Classic with great company. Glad you could join us Bryan.
This was my contribution and I loved being able to try this alongside the ‘11 that Bryan brought. So different! The ‘11 had almost 25% more Grenache than this, and was definitely lighter, spicer and had more acidity. This was dark and brooding and had more tannin on the finish. Fresh squeezed ripe blueberries and blackberries with peppercorn strip and charred plum. Obviously young, I re-corked and will update tomorrow...
Day 2: More floral up front on the nose and more savory on the palate with graphite and herbs de Provence. Decidedly more red fruit dominant at the finish...rhubarb and black cherry. More complexity for sure. Enjoyable now if given a 2hr decant, or hold for 2-3 more years.
Fun afternoon at Classic with great company. Glad you could join us Bryan.
Spicy, light and in full stride! Compared to my ‘13 I opened, this is more accessible (no surprise). Black pepper, plum, spiced black cherry and ripe raspberries on the nose and palate. Some herbal and earthy notes. CdP-esque, actually. Very good and another example of a killer ‘11. Thanks for bringing this @Bryan Kesting !
Fun afternoon at Classic with great company. Glad you could join us Bryan.
Spicy, light and in full stride! Compared to my ‘13 I opened, this is more accessible (no surprise). Black pepper, plum, spiced black cherry and ripe raspberries on the nose and palate. Some herbal and earthy notes. CdP-esque, actually. Very good and another example of a killer ‘11. Thanks for bringing this @Bryan Kesting !