Highly Allocated Gems
Showing 523–531 of 626 results
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Saxum 2016 James Berry Vineyard
$199.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating
I tasted the 2016 James Berry Vineyard out of barrel and it’s a smokin’ blend of 55% Grenache, 24% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah and 8% Counoise that saw 24% whole clusters and aging mostly in barrel. Black raspberry and cassis intermixed with notions of mint, violets/spring flowers and pepper give way to a sensationally layered, full-bodied, gorgeous red that has excellent freshness and a great, great finish. While this cuvée has leaned towards to the more elegant side of the spectrum over the past 6-7 years, this is a return to the richer, more blockbuster style versions, and I think it’s better for it. R42-4 -
Saxum 2017 Broken Stones Vineyard
$199.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Rating
The 2017 Broken Stones is another full-bodied effort, yet it has a wonderful sense of elegance and purity as well as complexity. Deep purple-hued with rocking chalky minerality as well as notes of black raspberries, blood orange, incense, and flowers, it hits the palate with sweet tannins, no hard edges, a stunning texture, and a great finish. SP41-6 -
Saxum 2017 Gratias
$169.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Rating
Lastly, the 2017 Gratias is being offered free to those on the mailing list as a way of saying thank you, a great example of the type of person Smith is. Already bottled, it offers an incredibly perfumed, pretty, sexy style as well as notes of kirsch and strawberries intermixed with plenty of spice and flowery incense notes. Full-bodied, silky, and as gulpable as it gets, it’s a classy wine that does everything right. SP41-2 -
Saxum 2017 James Berry Vineyard
$199.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 99 Rating
I was able to taste the 2017 James Berry Vineyard beside the perfect 2016 and there’s not much difference between these two sensational wines. The 2017 reveals a deep ruby color as well as more straight, focused, yet beautifully concentrated style that reveals gorgeous black raspberry and blackberry fruits interwoven with pepper, spring flowers, earth, and incense. SP20-6 -
Saxum 2017 Paderewski Vineyard
$199.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Vinous 97 Rating
Powerful, deeply pitched black and blue fruit, candied licorice, violet pastille and fruitcake flavors are braced by a spine of juicy acidity and a hint of smoky minerals. Stains the palate with densely packed cassis, bitter cherry and blueberry flavors that pick up exotic spice, cola and dark chocolate on the back half. This deeply concentrated wine shows remarkable clarity and litheness for its richness and finishes extremely long and spicy, with a resonating floral note and chewy, steadily building tannins. SP41-4 -
Saxum 2018 Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard
$299.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Rating
Tons of ripe black fruits, licorice, graphite, and charcoal notes emerge from the 2018 Bone Rock, a blend of 63% Syrah, 16% Mataro, 12% Grenache, 7% Graciano, and a splash of Roussanne that spent 34 months in oak. Sporting an inky purple hue, it’s full-bodied, brings a wealth of richness and depth, building tannins, and a monster of a finish. This powerful, meaty, impenetrable effort needs to be forgotten for 3-4 years and will keep for two decades or more. 98+ SP23-2 -
Saxum 2018 Broken Stones Vineyard
$199.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Rating
Made in the more meaty, powerful style that this cuvée has shifted to, the 2018 Broken Stones is 49% Syrah, 21% Graciano, 13% Petite Sirah, 8% Grenache, and 7% Mataro, and a splash of Viognier. Killer stuff, it has a massive Syrah nose of black and blue fruits, ground pepper, game, and crushed violets. With full-bodied richness, a bright, juicy texture, ripe tannins, and a rocking finish, it’s a thrill a minute and can be enjoyed today or cellared for a solid decade. SP22-6 -
Saxum 2018 Paderewski Vineyard
$199.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Rating
Bottled in April (as were all the early release 2018s), the 2018 Paderewski Vineyard is 44% Syrah, 22% Mataro, 15% Zinfandel, 9% Grenache, and the rest Tempranillo and Viognier. Deep purple, it has a wonderful bouquet of blueberries, wild strawberries, ground pepper, orange blossom, licorice, and violets. Beautifully textured, full-bodied, and both rich and elegant, it’s a stunning wine to enjoy over the coming 15 years or more. SP23-3 -
Saxum 2019 Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard
$299.99Willow Creek District Paso Robles California
Jeb Dunnuck 97-100 Rating
The 2019 Bone Rock was scheduled to be bottled in August and is based largely on Syrah with smaller amounts of Graciano, Petite Sirah, and Roussanne. It's another thrilling 2019 from this reference point estate that has a wealth of black and blue fruits, classic Syrah gamey, chocolaty, peppery nuances, a rocking mid-palate, building tannins, and a monster of a finish. It might just be the finest vintage of this cuvée to date. SP18-1
