Saxum Vineyards

My buddy and I are both on the mailing list for Saxum and we were lucky enough to score a private visit/​tasting with Justin Smith in May of 2011.
That afternoon at Saxum was the highlight of a 5 day trip to the area. Justin was a gracious host and we tasted through 7 – 8 wines that afternoon… killer!
The new generation of Paso winemakers have transitioned from Zinfandel and Cab to the Rhone varietals and they are kicking some serious butt.
Do yourself a favor and get on the Saxum list

JBV is A Grand Cru site of California. It’s also THE Grand Cru of Paso Robles– the king of American Rhone wines.
Saxum is stellar. If you want your wines tasting like dirt and watered down waste water (some obnoxious wine writers and Euros do) then don’t bother drinking Saxum. If you like to smell and taste dark, big, complex fruit with amazing balance, finesse and finish then get your hands on all the Saxum you can find and make some great memories.

As we speak, Im drinking a 2004 Saxum James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock.
(I think the old saying goes «its five o’clock somewhere…)
I have been lucky enough to taste so many different years of Saxum, and still to this day, every time I taste one, they blow me away.
Maybe this is what I’ve always been hoping for in a wine?
Perhaps its just incredible consistency, either way I always feel confident that whatever a Saxum is opened around me, Im going to like it. (even if I cant see the label)
Worth every penny. A fantastic bottle every time. I look forward to eventually seeing the property and of course enjoying more of this incredible Juice!
If your looking to knock someones socks off (even if its your own)
An Outstanding secret weapon!

OK… so Saxum doesn’t have a tasting room, isn’t open to the public… and about the only way you will taste it is to find it in a Paso wine bar, order a glass (at $ 25 if you’re lucky enough), or… buy a bottle.
BUT…OH…MY…GOD! THIS IS WINE! ANY of them!!! Big! Bold! Jammy! Complex! Layered! A mouthful. Move over Napa — there is a new superstar in California. it’s called SAXUM… and worth every dollar! AND… if you happen to take a bottle to your favorite restaurant… watch the wine steward drool (unless he knows nothing about wine).

2004 Saxum Broken Stones — Syrah/​Grenache/​Mourvedre Blend
So I went to a very personal and exclusive party where some very rare and hard to find wines were being poured. Somehow I will try and review as many as I can.
This wine was one of my favorite of the night. My personal Choice of wines from the Paso Robles area are not the Zinfandels or Cabernets, but the Rhone Blends that they produce. In the ways of making a great Chateauneuf Du Pape. You blend the big 3. Grenache — Syrah — Mourvedre. There are several wineries in Paso Robles making exceptional GSM blends.
The Saxum was a picture perfect wine! The blend is 75% Syrah, 22% Grenache and 3% Mourvedre. It has an opaque ruby/​purple-​color. Very nice acidity with aromas of raspberries, blackberries, and pepper. It is long on the finish with richness and balance. This is a wine I would love to own, but I have to get in line like the rest on the mailing list. You might possibly see a bottle on a restaurant list, but prepare to pay at least $ 150.00 for the bottle.
Total Winner!
Cheers