Saxum Vineyards
James Berry Vineyard White Blend
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
One of the bottles from my annual WWC hosting, opened alongside a 2020 Chateau Beaucastel Blanc.
46% Grenache Blanc/31% roussanne/23% Chenin Blanc.
More expressive and dialed up compared to the Beaucastel (not a big surprise). Medium gold in the glass. Bright and juicy roussanne notes of orange marmalade and apricot, alongside white peaches and a powder-sugar funnel-cake type aromatic. The Chenin gives this a good spine of acidity to prevent the rich and full-bodied entry from being flabby. Honey-roasted nuts, honeycomb, lemon cream, underripe pineapple and a savory/waxy finish. The warmth comes out at the finish, but it’s not substantial. Really nice with 1-2hrs of air.
One of the bottles from my annual WWC hosting, opened alongside a 2020 Chateau Beaucastel Blanc.
46% Grenache Blanc/31% roussanne/23% Chenin Blanc.
More expressive and dialed up compared to the Beaucastel (not a big surprise). Medium gold in the glass. Bright and juicy roussanne notes of orange marmalade and apricot, alongside white peaches and a powder-sugar funnel-cake type aromatic. The Chenin gives this a good spine of acidity to prevent the rich and full-bodied entry from being flabby. Honey-roasted nuts, honeycomb, lemon cream, underripe pineapple and a savory/waxy finish. The warmth comes out at the finish, but it’s not substantial. Really nice with 1-2hrs of air.
I waited as long as I could to finally try but gave in. 66 Grenache Blanc/28 roussanne/6 Chenin Blanc. Inaugural vintage for the Saxum white.
As a fan of white Rhône style wines, I expected the youth to show in an overly savory/waxy way, but I was pleasantly surprised how open this was. Pop and pour. Medium gold in the glass. Classical roussanne notes of orange marmalade and apricot, alongside salted almonds and yellow fruits. Gorgeously opulent on the palate but the Chenin gives it a spine of acidity to keep it dancing. Honey-roasted cashews, honeycomb, lemon cream, underripe pineapple and a little beeswax.
This seems fairly open for business, so no regrets on opening. Little bit of air and it’s ready to rock.
I waited as long as I could to finally try but gave in. 66 Grenache Blanc/28 roussanne/6 Chenin Blanc. Inaugural vintage for the Saxum white.
As a fan of white Rhône style wines, I expected the youth to show in an overly savory/waxy way, but I was pleasantly surprised how open this was. Pop and pour. Medium gold in the glass. Classical roussanne notes of orange marmalade and apricot, alongside salted almonds and yellow fruits. Gorgeously opulent on the palate but the Chenin gives it a spine of acidity to keep it dancing. Honey-roasted cashews, honeycomb, lemon cream, underripe pineapple and a little beeswax.
This seems fairly open for business, so no regrets on opening. Little bit of air and it’s ready to rock.
Canned pineapple acid toast and wax huge beautiful unique complex and fun
Canned pineapple acid toast and wax huge beautiful unique complex and fun
Dec 3rd, 2020
Celebrating the release of my book with wines by the first winemakers I interviewed, Justin Smith and Raj Parr. I remember Justin pointing out the chenin blanc he here blends with Grenache Blanc and Roussane. It’s a complex wine that benefited from air.
Celebrating the release of my book with wines by the first winemakers I interviewed, Justin Smith and Raj Parr. I remember Justin pointing out the chenin blanc he here blends with Grenache Blanc and Roussane. It’s a complex wine that benefited from air.
Aug 3rd, 2023A blend of mostly grenache blanc, and roussame with a bit of chenin as well. This is a powerful, complex wine.
A blend of mostly grenache blanc, and roussame with a bit of chenin as well. This is a powerful, complex wine.
Mar 6th, 2023This was terrific. Oak very integrated and very complex. Surprised by the bounce of acidity. Wears its abv well.
This was terrific. Oak very integrated and very complex. Surprised by the bounce of acidity. Wears its abv well.
Sep 3rd, 2022A big wine but the balance is impressive.
A big wine but the balance is impressive.
Oct 14th, 2020
Saxum — James Berry Vineyard White 2023
Paso Robles – Willow Creek District AVA, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A powerful, Rhône-inspired white blend composed of 46% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 4% Chardonnay, sourced entirely from the iconic James Berry Vineyard, delivering intensity, texture, and serious structural presence.
Aromas & Flavors
Dense stone fruit, baked pear, preserved citrus peel, and subtle tropical tones lead the aromatics. Layers of honeysuckle and warm orchard fruit intertwine with gentle herbal nuance and faint almond creaminess. On the palate, ripe yellow peach, quince, lemon oil, and savory mineral notes unfold with depth and clarity.
Mouthfeel
Rich, broad, and commanding with impressive mid-palate weight. The wine carries a firm line of tension through the back palate, preventing any sense of heaviness despite the elevated alcohol. Texture is polished, energetic, and confidently structured, warm yet controlled.
Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs and lemon. Grilled halibut or monkfish with beurre blanc. Moroccan spiced tagine. Aged Comté or Alpine cheeses. Cream-based seafood pasta.
Verdict
Serious, layered, and unapologetically bold, this is a thinking person’s white wine. Intensity meets balance, delivering both immediate impact and clear aging potential. A standout expression of Paso Robles whites pushing into Grand Cru mindset territory.
Did You Know?
James Berry Vineyard is one of Paso Robles’ most celebrated sites, better known for producing legendary Rhône-style reds. Seeing this level of complexity and structural precision translated into a white blend highlights just how versatile and elite this terroir truly is.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is not a casual patio white, it’s a layered, expressive, high-octane wine (15.2% ABV) built for contemplation, food, and cellar evolution. Definitely a white wine for red wine lovers.
Saxum — James Berry Vineyard White 2023
Paso Robles – Willow Creek District AVA, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A powerful, Rhône-inspired white blend composed of 46% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 20% Chenin Blanc, and 4% Chardonnay, sourced entirely from the iconic James Berry Vineyard, delivering intensity, texture, and serious structural presence.
Aromas & Flavors
Dense stone fruit, baked pear, preserved citrus peel, and subtle tropical tones lead the aromatics. Layers of honeysuckle and warm orchard fruit intertwine with gentle herbal nuance and faint almond creaminess. On the palate, ripe yellow peach, quince, lemon oil, and savory mineral notes unfold with depth and clarity.
Mouthfeel
Rich, broad, and commanding with impressive mid-palate weight. The wine carries a firm line of tension through the back palate, preventing any sense of heaviness despite the elevated alcohol. Texture is polished, energetic, and confidently structured, warm yet controlled.
Food Pairings
Roast chicken with herbs and lemon. Grilled halibut or monkfish with beurre blanc. Moroccan spiced tagine. Aged Comté or Alpine cheeses. Cream-based seafood pasta.
Verdict
Serious, layered, and unapologetically bold, this is a thinking person’s white wine. Intensity meets balance, delivering both immediate impact and clear aging potential. A standout expression of Paso Robles whites pushing into Grand Cru mindset territory.
Did You Know?
James Berry Vineyard is one of Paso Robles’ most celebrated sites, better known for producing legendary Rhône-style reds. Seeing this level of complexity and structural precision translated into a white blend highlights just how versatile and elite this terroir truly is.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is not a casual patio white, it’s a layered, expressive, high-octane wine (15.2% ABV) built for contemplation, food, and cellar evolution. Definitely a white wine for red wine lovers.
Lots of petrol on the nose. Bit funky. Not bad, but not my favorite.
Lots of petrol on the nose. Bit funky. Not bad, but not my favorite.
Sep 24th, 2025