Freddy R. Troya

9.4

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. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Deep Ruby in colour with a youthful purple rim. Ripe plummy notes on the nose with aromatic spices. A rich intense supple palate (but never ponderous). The palate is downright delicious showing plums and the tang of plum skins with a fluidity akin to milk chocolate. Made from 7 different vintages but 46% from the 2021 vintage which was a vintage for the ages in South Australia. You can’t beat the old vine material that Fraser has to work with from the old Hoffmann Vineyard. Had my final bottle 37 weeks later on 21st February 2026 with consistent notes. An excellent wine that doesn’t seem to age much with time in the cellar. — a year ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Nutty with caramel and toast notes. Dry and long. Complex. — 3 years ago

with Gregg

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was singing tonight showing notes of black fruits, pencil, leather, cedar, sweet spice & tobacco. Rich & full bodied on the palate drinking much younger than its 46 yrs. — 4 years ago

Lauren Cooley

9.1

Great dry champagne — 5 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2016 vintage. While this estate has been in the hands of the same family since 1858, it is under the reigns of current owner Eduard Miailhe that Siran is showing its true potential. The vineyards are situated in Labarde, the Southern part of the Margaux appellation, surrounded by Crus Classés Dauzac, Prieuré- Lichine and Giscours. 2016 was the first vintage made by oenologist Marjolaine Defrance, with Hubert de Boüard (Château Angélus) as consultant since 2014. It's a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged for 12 months in French barriques (35% new). Obviously it's way too young to show its full potential, but it is a terrific effort, undoubtedly at Cru Classé level. Concentrated black fruit (cassis, cherries, blackberries), violets, licorice and a subtle touch of cedar wood. It displays classic Margaux elegance, complexity, impeccable balance and considerable length. At only 28 euros this is one of the finest values in Margaux that should drink well over the next 20 to 30 years. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark purple in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blueberries, plums, cherries, light oak and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, black plums, light oak, cherries, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a tasty Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Pauillac. Easy drinking and nicely balanced. Spicy and entertaining.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Soft and elegant.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.

A good food wine.

A blend of 49% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in used French oak barrels for 12 months.

14% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$32. — 5 months ago

Ron from VA

9.1

After a day of air… Fabulous !! 46 Merlot, 33CF, 16 CS and 5PV — a year ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Pale lemon in color.

Nose of citrus, yeast, brioche, spices, sea salt, minerals and green apples.

Medium bodied with high acidity.

Dry on the palate with limes, light grapefruits, citrus, green apples, herbs, yeast, sea salt and spices.

This is a nice entry level Champagne. Tangy and spicy. Good by itself and better with food.

Needs 30 minutes to open up properly.

A blend of 46% Pinot Noir, 37% Pinot Meunier and 17% Chardonnay.

12% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, floral spice and smoky cedar notes, aged 12 months in 60% new barrels. On the palate flavors of fresh blackberry and black cherry with cacao, tobacco, licorice and smoky spice. Fine grainy tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar, smoke and earthy mineral character. Very nice, will age well but wait a few more years to really enjoy! — 3 years ago

Sharon B

9.3

Absolutely delicious with lots of dark fruit. I bought it because it was from Paso Robles and it does not disappoint! Will definitely buy again. Ava (our 4 year old granddaughter) is spending the night and we’re watching Monster House, so that’s what it’s being paired with! Plus I need a good one when she’s over for the night!!!! — 4 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.3

Solid for an evening dram 🥃 Prior notes apply. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See many previous notes. Holding up comfortably from this excellent cooler vintage . 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Shiraz. I am lucky to have 6 bottles left from back in the day when I bought 2 dozen. Definitely drinking on the plateau and will carry on for a while yet. Medium weight palate but with great length and persistence. Will probably consume the rest over the next 3 to 4 years. Penfolds 2020 collection (17 wines)just released in Australia. The 2018 Bin 389 received 96 points from Halliday. The 2016 Grange is being talked about as one of the greats - 99 points from Halliday. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Blend of 49% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby red color with aromas of dark fruits, graphite and earthy herbs. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currants, black cherry, tobacco and leafy herbs. Fine polished tannins, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco, spice and earthy mineral notes. Just starting to drink now! — 8 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Other than the style of well made 80’s Bordeaux’s, 2005 is my favorite modern vintage. It was a grand slam year/vintage for the Bordelaise.

2005’s are drinking beautifully with still room for improvement. Of course, Saint Julien is known for its elegance and this Lagrange is all that. The evolution at this point is sheer beauty.

Round, lush, ripe, soften fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums, black raspberries & slight bake strawberries. Some red & black licorice, dark red, cola, soft used leather, dry tobacco, soft graphite, savory herbaceous notes, beautiful, relaxed, dark spice, dark rich earth with stones & dry leaves, limestone, gentle unstated spice, undertoned; cinnamon, nutmeg & clove. Black coffee hues, black tea, red roses, red & dark fresh & withering flowers, perfect acidity, balance for days, elegant, smartly polished, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on spice & minerals.

Delicious today & will drink beautifully for another 15 years.

Winemaking; 46% Cabernet, 45% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. From 40 year old vines and rested in 60% new & 40% used oak for 21 months. — a year ago

Heather Robinson

8.9

HWT - very flavorful and a bit of berry but not too much. 15% and $46 on sale for $40. Preferred aerated — 3 years ago

Shengli Hu

8.9

Tobacco, pyrazene, oak, graphite, blackcurrant, tart red and black fruits, pencil shaving. High acidity, elevated integrated tannins, medium body. Juicy fruit on mid palate. So I called it St Emilion…. 46% Cabernet Sauv, 36% Merlot, ?? Petit Verdot, … — 4 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.1

46% Grenache Blanc, 34% Vermentino, 20% Clairette Blanche.

Clairette was noticeable in the structure of the body, lighter in some ways. — 5 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

I loved this. It compares to many Niagara desert ice wines I’ve had. There is a biting acidity that shows through the sweetness. Lovely after dinner. — 6 years ago

Andrew Olsen

9.3

Can’t buy it anymore so I only drink it on super special occasions. Like when the Dodgers win the World Series! Go Dodgers!!!! — 6 years ago