Saxum Vineyards
Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard Syrah Grenache
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
After dinner pop and pour and it needed time to open that I did not provide it. Have some in the decanter for a post Masters re-visit tonight. Last night this was super tight and just too hot for me. My guests loved it and raved. Interim rating.
After dinner pop and pour and it needed time to open that I did not provide it. Have some in the decanter for a post Masters re-visit tonight. Last night this was super tight and just too hot for me. My guests loved it and raved. Interim rating.
Apr 12th, 2015
Good fruit and character but hot. Alcohol blows off after a while
Good fruit and character but hot. Alcohol blows off after a while
Mar 26th, 2014
2006 Saxum Bone Rock from the awesome James Berry Vineyard in Paso Robles. 76% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre and 6% Grenache. A whopping 16.7% (and no, that is not a typo), alcohol! 3 hour decant, and it needs it. Motor oil black in the stem. Aromatic nose of exotic spices, roasted game and pepper with some Spring flowers lurking in the background. Explosive monster of a palate of Morello cherries and brambly fruits. Notes of baking spices and loamy earth. Soft tannins and nice acidity. I’d be lying if I said there is no noticeable alcohol, but I don’t think anyone would guess almost 17%. Rich and pure with that silky texture that I do crave. Strong finish. I always enjoy that rustic/tannic component that Mourvèdre contributes to the equation. Years ahead of this one. I would never guess this was an ‘06. Well worth the wait to join the Saxum mailing list. @justinsmith has the touch. One addendum: This wine is just begging to be joined at the table by a beautifully frenched and denuded, garlic-crusted rack of lamb like the Food & Wine recipe authored by my friend, the very talented Kenny Rochford. Maybe not the traditional pairing, but sometimes you just gotta push the envelope.
2006 Saxum Bone Rock from the awesome James Berry Vineyard in Paso Robles. 76% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre and 6% Grenache. A whopping 16.7% (and no, that is not a typo), alcohol! 3 hour decant, and it needs it. Motor oil black in the stem. Aromatic nose of exotic spices, roasted game and pepper with some Spring flowers lurking in the background. Explosive monster of a palate of Morello cherries and brambly fruits. Notes of baking spices and loamy earth. Soft tannins and nice acidity. I’d be lying if I said there is no noticeable alcohol, but I don’t think anyone would guess almost 17%. Rich and pure with that silky texture that I do crave. Strong finish. I always enjoy that rustic/tannic component that Mourvèdre contributes to the equation. Years ahead of this one. I would never guess this was an ‘06. Well worth the wait to join the Saxum mailing list. @justinsmith has the touch. One addendum: This wine is just begging to be joined at the table by a beautifully frenched and denuded, garlic-crusted rack of lamb like the Food & Wine recipe authored by my friend, the very talented Kenny Rochford. Maybe not the traditional pairing, but sometimes you just gotta push the envelope.
Jan 6th, 2018
A Christmas wine worth remembering, beautiful complexity and fullness, still youthful but much more integrated now. Near flawless. Love #saxumvineyards.
A Christmas wine worth remembering, beautiful complexity and fullness, still youthful but much more integrated now. Near flawless. Love #saxumvineyards.
Dec 29th, 2016
Another winner from Justin Smith, the 2006 Bone Rock is terrific. It's a bit more one-dimensional than his more recent offerings (been enjoying his wines since the 2003 vintage, but 2007 was a turning point), but this portends the complexity that shows up in spades in 2007 and beyond. This is probably close to peaking, with a great combination of primary and secondary flavors (and a delicateness that is more reminiscent of a grenache-driven blend (as opposed to the SMG blend that it actually is). Fantastic juice!
Another winner from Justin Smith, the 2006 Bone Rock is terrific. It's a bit more one-dimensional than his more recent offerings (been enjoying his wines since the 2003 vintage, but 2007 was a turning point), but this portends the complexity that shows up in spades in 2007 and beyond. This is probably close to peaking, with a great combination of primary and secondary flavors (and a delicateness that is more reminiscent of a grenache-driven blend (as opposed to the SMG blend that it actually is). Fantastic juice!
Jul 3rd, 2016