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2021 Saxum James Berry Vineyard Rocket Block

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

July 20, 2025 - $125

Estimate

RATINGS

99Jeb Dunnuck

Incredible Châteauneuf du Pape-like notes of red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, leather, sandalwood, and graphite...this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated, layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish...powerful, opulent yet flawlessly balanced beauty...

98The Wine Advocate

...nose is herbal, dark-fruited and elegant...showing off aromas of resinous herbs, amaro, fruitcake and dark spice accents...palate is simply gigantic...finish is fabulously decadent, lined with fine yet grippy tannins and graceful, elegant fruit flavors that pull off a soft landing...

96+ Vinous / IWC

...impresses with its lift and grace, displaying a dusting of sweet spice and dried flowers complemented by a hint of red currant...juicy and racy in style, with supple textures offset by mineral grip. Ripe red and black fruits penetrate the palate with primary concentration as a web of fine-grained tannins saturates the senses...finishes tremendously long and floral, leaving behind a bitter tinge of tart blackberry.

18Jancis Robinson

Spicy and floral...deeply concentrated. There’s a star-anise sweetness and a grapefruit bitterness on the palate with plush yet chewy tannin and evident oak spice. Very long finish.

PRODUCER

Saxum

Saxum Vineyards is located in the Paso Robles AVA of Central California. Founded in the early 2000s by Justin Smith, a young winemaker who had previously been part-owner of Linne Calodo, Saxum leapt into the limelight in late 2010 when its 2007 James Berry Vineyards wine was named the #1 Wine of 2010 by Wine Spectator. The wine is a Rhone-style blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Like most of the so-called Central California Coast “Rhone Rangers,” Saxum specializes in Rhone Valley-style blends. The intense sunshine and relatively steep and rocky terrain of the Paso Robles AVA, which was officially recognized in 1983, is similar to the terrain of the Rhone Valley. Smith owns the winery with his wife Heather, and produces up to 2,800 cases of wine a year. There are currently five cuvees.

REGION

United States, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

Paso Robles AVA is midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and it is considered one of the West Coast’s most exciting winemaking regions. With its hot, sometimes searingly dry and sunny weather, it is especially good country for growing warm climate grapes such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Because many Paso Robles wineries have been successful with blending these grapes into Rhone Valley-style wines, it is known as the Rhone zone of California. The AVA was created in 1983 and there are 32,000 vineyard acres. In late 2014 the AVA was divided into 11 smaller sub-appellations, so starting with 2015 vintages labeling will become more specific on Paso Robles wines, which will now also list sub-appellations. Located in San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles, the town and its surrounding area, was traditionally a farming and ranching region. But from a few dozen wineries in the early 1990s to more than 200 today, the area is quickly becoming known for wine and risk-taking winemakers.

VINTAGE

2021 Saxum James Berry Vineyard Rocket Block

One in system without Grenache and looks like they make Syrah as well.