Saxum Vineyards

James Berry Vineyard Red Rhône Blend

9.485 ratings
9.315 pro ratings
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Roussanne
Lamb, Chocolate & Caramel, Herbs, Soft Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Turkey, Pasta, Mushrooms, Veal, Tomato-Based, Chicken, Exotic Spices, Potato, White Rice, Duck, Nuts & Seeds, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Asian Cuisine, Salads & Greens, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Pork, Fish, Cream Sauces, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pate, Shellfish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Beef, Hard Cheese, Pungent Cheese, Venison
Top Notes For
Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.5

2012 vintage. Killer aromas where brooding fruit intermingles with spices, earth and roasted herbs. Seriously full bodied stuff, providing a wall of tannins, very ripe fruit (think Port) and underlying acidity interwoven with dusty minerality. So far; great! I can see people scoring this wine 100 p, as there's so much going on, BUT the 15,8% (on the label, so probably more) become tiresome after only two glasses. I seldom manage not to down bottles in this quality range effortlessly, but here it was just impossible. Held up nicely on day two and three. Thru 2025+

2012 vintage. Killer aromas where brooding fruit intermingles with spices, earth and roasted herbs. Seriously full bodied stuff, providing a wall of tannins, very ripe fruit (think Port) and underlying acidity interwoven with dusty minerality. So far; great! I can see people scoring this wine 100 p, as there's so much going on, BUT the 15,8% (on the label, so probably more) become tiresome after only two glasses. I seldom manage not to down bottles in this quality range effortlessly, but here it was just impossible. Held up nicely on day two and three. Thru 2025+

Oct 26th, 2016
Adelaida Pitts

Birthday weekend should never end. Amazing flavor and balance.

Birthday weekend should never end. Amazing flavor and balance.

Apr 3rd, 2016
Mike Saviage

Young, high intensity Rhone style. High alcohol. Needs 5-10 yrs to find its game.

Young, high intensity Rhone style. High alcohol. Needs 5-10 yrs to find its game.

Oct 18th, 2015
Todd Alexander

A little tight but really expressive, anise on the finish for days...

A little tight but really expressive, anise on the finish for days...

May 30th, 2015
Jennifer DiDomizio

Whopping big pure fresh fruit. Balanced. Wow.

Whopping big pure fresh fruit. Balanced. Wow.

Mar 4th, 2015
Justin Schuchardt

Patience!

Patience!

Dec 26th, 2014
Amit Srivastava

Not a big in your face wine but really smooth. Opened up real nice over couple of hours as we drank the wine. Had decanted for 4 hours

Not a big in your face wine but really smooth. Opened up real nice over couple of hours as we drank the wine. Had decanted for 4 hours

Aug 6th, 2021
Connor McMahon

I'm really liking the counoise! Very bright red fruits with some spice from stems. Very pleasant wine.

I'm really liking the counoise! Very bright red fruits with some spice from stems. Very pleasant wine.

Apr 25th, 2016
Tom Wildenhaus

This is a beauty. Go buy some it will not disappoint. So well balance it is crazy. Love it.

This is a beauty. Go buy some it will not disappoint. So well balance it is crazy. Love it.

Dec 9th, 2018
Joe D'Angelo

Just got me some 2012 Saxum James Berry Vineyard...

Just got me some 2012 Saxum James Berry Vineyard...

Aug 9th, 2014