2021 Saxum James Berry Vineyard Red Blend

Aromas of black raspberry, boysenberry, and cracked black pepper integrate with savory notes of garrigue, smoked meat, and a hint of sandalwood. The palate is full-bodied and exceptionally seamless, featuring a dense core of dark fruit and a multidimensional, velvety texture. It displays powerful yet polished tannins and a surprising acidity that leads to a long, expansive finish marked by an intense mineral streak and sweet floral lift.

Winemaker Justin Smith utilizes a blend dominated by Grenache, Mataro, and Syrah from the estate’s flagship vineyard. In the cellar, the fruit is fermented in a combination of concrete tanks and open-top wooden fermenters, often utilizing a significant percentage of whole clusters to add aromatic tension. The wine matures for approximately 18 to 20 months in a mix of new French oak puncheons, concrete, and amphorae. This diverse aging regimen allows the wine to develop massive structural depth while preserving the vibrant fruit energy and site-specific savory nuances.

The fruit is grown in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles at the iconic James Berry Vineyard. The site is defined by its ancient seabed history, featuring white, chalky Linne Calodo soils that are high in calcium carbonate. These steep, hillside blocks sit at an elevation of 1,200 feet and benefit from the cooling breezes that pull through the Templeton Gap. This unique, high-calcium terroir is famous for producing wines that achieve incredible ripeness and power while maintaining a remarkable sense of freshness and a distinct stony minerality.