2010 | Saxum Vineyards | James Berry Vineyard (Magnum)

The intense, vivid blackberry, blueberry, pepper and spice notes are tightly focused and persistent in this red, ending with a long finish and tannins that give the flavors traction.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: As it approaches its eighth birthday, the 2010 James Berry Vineyard Proprietary Red is drinking beautifully, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of smoky cassis, incense, burnt sage and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, rich and velvety, with an ample core of ripe fruit, fine-grained and resolved tannins and a long, intense finish. The cool season and extended hang time of the 2010 vintage conspired to produce a wine of unusual elegance but no lack of power.

• Jeb Dunnuck: Sporting a vibrant ruby, semi-opaque color, the 2010 Saxum James Berry Vineyard is the most tight, backwards version of this cuvee that I can recall. A blend of 52% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, and 22% Syrah, it has a decidedly savory bouquet of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, violets, bouquet garni, ground pepper, and graphite. Full-bodied and layered on the palate, with brilliant mid-palate concentration, superb freshness, and masses of tannin, this brilliant Rhône blend from Paso Robles will stand toe to toe with the best wines out there, but it is not for those seeking instant gratification and will require 4-5 years of bottle age. In 2010, the Grenache component was aged in a combination of concrete tank and oak puncheons, and this change shows in both the aromatics and texture, with less obvious sweetness and more freshness.

Producer Information

Saxum Vineyards is a Californian wine producer in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. It is known for its portfolio of red blends produced from the key Rhône varieties: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The estate was planted at the end of the 1980s with a majority of vines now over 40 years of age. Located a mere 10 miles (16km) from the coast, unearthed fossilized whale bones have been discovered here requiring a jack hammer to plant the vines. Planted throughout an undulating landscape the vineyards are located on slopes at an altitude of approximately 1200 feet (365 meters). Saxum's portfolio now features a collection of proprietary cuvées. The Rhône varieties reign supreme, but there are small plantings of other grapes like Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, which are used in small amounts. Strict yields inform the limited production of roughly 5500 cases annually. The flagship wine is the James Berry vineyard red blend, made from Grenache with Mourvèdre, Syrah and Counoise. The Syrah is co-fermented with small amounts of Roussanne instead of Viognier, the white variety commonly blended with Syrah in northern Rhône appellations.

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