4/29/2012 - blondon wrote:

Popped, left on counter for 30 minutes, enjoyed thoroughly over a meal of Flannery Ribeye Steaks, roasted beets and sauteed onions & mushrooms.

Deep, rich purple color that was uniform to the rim. No bricking whatsoever. Nose of blackberries, black figs, iron, blood and iodine. The mouthfeel was rich, smooth and captivating. Earthy, minerally notes were all over the wine, enhancing the flavors of black fruits (plums, figs) and indian spices (cardamon, cinnamon). These flavors flowed from the strong mid-palate and exploded on the finish. A completely integrated, interesting, incredible bottle of wine. I've said it before and I'll say it again, give your Saxums time to age and you will be well rewarded.

4/28/2012 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed with stone crab claws and roasted cauliflower. Classic nose of wet stones, sea air, and a pungency that was present but not off putting. Flavors of lemon, lime, tart green apple. Zesty, earthy wine that paired well with the meal.

3/24/2012 - blondon wrote:

Decanted, enjoyed with an amazing meal of littleneck clams, manila clams, green lip mussels and yukon gold potatoes cooked with garlic, shallots, fennel, white wine, and pureed flat leaf parsley. Pale gold color. Intense nose of citrus, sea air, white flowers. Midweight in the mouth, flavors of lime, lemon, saline, tart apple. Pure citrus acidity on the long and cleansing finish. Paired wonderfully with the meal.

2/18/2012 - blondon wrote:

Decanted 1 hour, enjoyed with a dinner of arroz con pollo and fried sweet plantains. Pale garnet color. Nose of cherries and bouquet garni. Midweight in the mouth, smooth and elegant. Sharp and savory, with flavors of tart red fruits, cherries, cranberries punctuated by an acidic blast on the back palate.

12/31/2011 - blondon wrote:

Enjoyed with boneless leg of lamb marinated in olive oil, garlic, rosemary and lemon juice. Brownish-red color. Nose of red fruits, cinnamon and earth. Flavors of pomegranate, red cherries, black tea, orange zest. The finish is a full assault on the senses, framed by incredible minerality the likes of which I have never experienced. I am very glad that I have more of these to enjoy over the years.

12/31/2011 - blondon wrote:

Enjoyed with green lip mussels cooked in white wine, garlic, shallots and herbes de Provence. Golden yellow color. Nose of pears, minerals and the sea. Flavors of lemons, limes, grapefruit framed with copious amounts of salinity and minerality. Lovely, complex finish.

12/24/2011 - blondon wrote:

Decanted 6 hours, enjoyed with roasted winter vegetables and smoked tri-tip. Intensely dark color. Black is the theme of this wine, blackberries, black fig, black plum, black licorice, black olives, tar. Savory, brooding, elegant, balanced, this is a well made wine that should age exceedingly well.

11/24/2011 - blondon wrote:

Rustic, earthy wine. Shows garrigue, floral notes, black fruits. Just starting to reveal itself, a very nicely balanced wine for those who like/want/demand their wines to have a little complexity.

9/24/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped, poured into decanter and enjoyed over 2 hours with Flannery grass fed Wagyu steak (which totally rocks!). Dark color. Nose of violets, tar, black fruit, black olives. Flavors of black figs, black plums, blackberries, indian spices. This is a midweight wine that is completely integrated, smooth and interesting, very savory, just a delicious bottle of wine.

9/10/2011 - blondon wrote:

Decanted one hour, enjoyed over 3. Tremendously complex nose of spice, black fruit, lavender and a hint of smoke. Flavors of fig, plum, black olives, licorice, nutmeg. Midweight on the palate, extremely smooth and well balanced. What struck me throughout this experience was how savory this wine was. It was completely flavorful, harmonious, delicious, satisfying, interesting, evocative and sultry. I've enjoyed Bradley's wines for years, and now I have the tremendous privilege of representing his wines. It's these experiences that keep this passion flowing.

8/5/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed over a couple hours. Nice golden yellow color, nose of lemons, limes and the sea. Very intriguing flavors of citrus, salinity, rocks and acidity. Finishes crisp and clean. I love the way that these basic white burgs leave such a wonderful feeling behind, fresh & vibrant, preparing the palate for the next taste. Love this wine.

7/11/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped, decanted 1 1/2 hours, enjoyed with a meal of country ribs, red beans and rice. Smoky, earthy nose, a bit of funk. Flavors reminded of Southern Rhone, dark red fruits, spices, dust, not nearly as meaty or peppery as previous vintages of this wine. Nicely balanced, paired really well with the meal.

7/3/2011 - blondon wrote:

Decanted 8 hours, enjoyed over a dinner featuring bacon gorgonzola burgers and the rest of the evening. Intoxicating nose, black fruits, tar, smoke, as both Mike and FMIII state, this is one expressive, aromatic wine. Midweight in the mouth, with an amazing array of flavors - blackberries, roasted meat, roasted beets, graphite, black licorice; all punctuated by that classic citrus note that arrives midpalate and explodes on the finish that just lifts all of these to a new dimension. Very harmonious wine. One of the best wines I've had this year.

6/20/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed with a dinner of barbeque chicken & homemade cole slaw. What a fantastic nose this had, full of brambly fruit, spice, earthiness. Midweight on the palate, with flavors of red raspberries, blackberries, clove, cinnamon and a savory element that started midpalate and continued through the finish. The minerality shines throughout the wine, providing the stage for the other aspects to perform. A great expression of what the west side of Paso Robles can achieve with these Rhone varietals when everything is in balance.

6/4/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped, left open for an hour, then enjoyed with a dinner of grilled corn, tri-tip and sauteed leafy greens. Nice aromatics of smoke, meat, lilacs, lavender. The mouthfeel was elegant, not thick or rich. Very red fruited flavors, red cherries, pomegranate. Had a wonderful savory element (umami) in the midpalate and finish, along with a nice streak of acidity. These wines benefit so much from bottle age.

5/28/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped, left open for an hour, then enjoyed with a dinner of grilled steak, organic salad and truffle mac & cheese. Nose had the mourvedre stank, herbs, baking spices. Tremendous balance throughout, with flavors of black cherries, clove, nutmeg intertwined beautifully within a framework of dusty minerality and tannic structure. Just a lingering, seductive, meal enhancing experience. Love the old style CdP.

5/26/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed with a dinner of barbeque chicken, quinoa with basil, mushrooms & tomato. Wonderful nose of rich tropical fruits, and this theme of tropical fruits carried on the palate and ran the gamut of varieties, including melon, papaya, lemon and lime. Love the oily texture in the mouth and the cleansing acidity on the finish. Delicious and a great pairing with the meal.

5/15/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured. Enjoyed with barbecue chicken. Nose and flavors of lemon, lime, ginger, minerals. Very crisp, wonderful citric acidity that cut like a knive through the sweet tanginess of the bbq sauce and left the palate refreshed and rejuvenated. Really nice wine.

4/16/2011 - blondon wrote:

Blackberries, black raspberries and black pepper shine in this wine. Great intensity of flavor, showcasing all that is capable of cool-climate syrah, dark fruits, roasted meats, salinity, black olives, iron, blood, minerality. This syrah shows refined and structured elegance balanced with acidity.

3/19/2011 - blondon wrote:

Decanted one hour, enjoyed over 2 with a dinner of soy ginger garlic shrimp, organic brown basmati rice and seaweed salad.

Beautiful pale gold color. A very interesting nose, wet stones, flowers, stone fruits. Smooth mouthfeel with balanced flavors of fruit, spice and pie crust. Baked pear, lemon meringue, minerality, with a blast of citric acidity on the finish that leaves a very crisp feeling that is sensational. Such a complex, delicious bottle of wine and a wonderful QPR.

3/14/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped and enjoyed over 3 hours. OMFG. What a treat. The nose is completely captivating, earthy, smoky, barnyard, spice, violets, gamy, bloody. The color is deep and dark, uniform to the rim. Absolutely no bricking at all. Powerful, balanced flavors of black fruits, olives, iron and meat. The finish was amazing, closing with a hit of pepper. A truly amazing and ethereal experience. To be able to enjoy this wine was a gift.

3/12/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped, decanted one hour, enjoyed over two with a meal of grilled Flannery New York steak with roasted beets and yams.

Dark purple color. A swirling cauldron of smoke, flowers, roasted meats, iron, dark fruits. Smooth entry, layers of flavor on the midpalate - figs, blackberries, plum, spice, and a finish that was long and exotic. Midweight mouthfeel, great minerality and acidity, not overextracted, overblown, overripe - instead a well balanced, well made, extremely satisfying bottle of wine.

2/5/2011 - blondon wrote:

Decanted 2 hours, enjoyed over a two hour dinner of Flannery Wagyu Filet Side, Wagyu NY Strip and Private Reserve NY Strip steaks, pan fried potatoes & onions and homemade cole slaw alongside a 2004 Saxum James Berry Vineyard.

Dark purple color uniform to the rim. Leather, dark fruit, cassis, all the components of a well made Napa Valley Cabernet. This theme continued on the palate, with dark cherries the prevaling flavor accentuated with a bit of cedar. The finish, however, was sublime, with a long milk chocolate note that emerged and carried this for what seemed like an eternity. What struck me most about this wine was its balance. Nothing overdone or overblown, not a massive wine by any stretch, a well made wine that is ageing beautifully and has the bones to last for a number of years.

2/5/2011 - blondon wrote:

Opened one hour (not decanted) and enjoyed over a two hour dinner of Flannery Wagyu Filet Side, Wagyu NY Strip and Private Reserve NY Strip steaks, pan fried potatoes & onions and homemade cole slaw.

Wonderful nose of earth, dark fruit, spice. Intriguing combination of red and black fruits, showing red raspberries, black figs, blackberries along with nutmeg and that omnipresent minerality that always emerges after some bottle age with these wines. The finish is a spectacular display of length, a flavor and texture explosion that lingers on the tongue and excites the palate. This wine showed a small amount of VA on the entry but it did not detract from the overall excellence of the experience.

I've said it before and I'll say it again....Let your Saxum age and you will be well rewarded!

1/23/2011 - blondon wrote:

Decanted two hours, enjoyed with a dinner of grilled porterhouse steak served with baby brussel sprouts sauteed with applewood smoked bacon.

Nose was very reluctant upon opening, stayed that way throughout the decant time, only to explode after a few swirls in the glass to reveal lavender, red fruits, baking spice. Feminine in character, vibrant fruit flavors on the palate, some earthy quality, and I echo the elegance mentioned by several other posters. The finish held nicely, revealing a tea element that was refreshing. A nice wine that paired well with the meal.

1/21/2011 - blondon wrote:

Decanted 30 minutes, then enjoyed over three hours and a dinner of beef tenderloin served with a wild mushroom strudel and foie gras.

Incredible nose of mushroom, sage and earth. Sour cherry, cranberries, blood orange on the palate, with notes of evergreen and the freshness of mint emerging on the back palate and swirling into a long, balanced, harmonious finish. The complexity of flavors, the subtle nuances, the changes that took place in the glass over the evening were spectacular. A truly joyous experience.

1/15/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed over several hours with a dinner of mushroom soup, lamb meatballs, roasted lamb shank and clam & linguica sausage fideus.

Nose of lavender, black fruits, very earthy wine. Wonderfully textured, grainy tannins that really held this together beautifully. Blackberry, black fig, smoked meat. As the evening went on, the floral notes on the nose became dominant, the palate was rich, smooth and delicious, the flavors became more savory. What a beautiful expression of syrah.

1/14/2011 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed over a two hour period with a dinner of warm spinach salad and aged cheddar mac and cheese.

For those who continue to live in a world where CA syrah cannot or does not age well, stop reading here.

Roasted meats, mirin, and spices jump out of the glass. Flavors and textures of black figs, iron, game and scorched earth abound. Imagine figs being cooked on a fire pit in a cast iron skillet with a wild boar roasting over the pit as well as you will have an idea of what I'm describing. The finish is a cacophony of flavors that remain on the palate for what seems like an eternity. This is a supremely subdued yet powerfully flavorful 11 year old syrah.

1/13/2011 - blondon wrote:

Opened, decanted one hour, drank half with a dinner of roast chicken, the other half a couple hours later. TN's are from the latter.

Nose shows zesty green apple, citrus and a nutty cheese quality. Richly elegant mouthfeel is balanced by wonderful flavors of lime, stone fruits and nutmeg; framed by minerality and an acidic spine that gives the wine great lift. This wine is continuing to open and show more nuances. I'm really enjoying this and am happy to have more!

12/15/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed over a 2 hour period with a Flannery porterhouse & roasted beets and sweet potatoes. Intriguing nose of smoke, licorice, black fruits. Smooth entry with flavors of black plum, anise, olive tapenade, some pepper notes in the background. The finish was punctuated by a blast of roasted meat. Really nice wine that is drinking beautifully.

11/28/2010 - blondon wrote:

Decanted one hour, consumed over the following 3 as part of a pinot tasting at a friends house. The nose on this was a dead ringer for Eschezaux, gamy, smoky, earthy, minerally. Black cherry, sage on palate. Nice acidity, good balance, not a hint of VA. Showed extremely well and more than held its own in a lineup that included a 1996 Chambolle Musigny. a 1997 Eschezaux, 2005 Volnay, 2008 Rhys Alpine Vineyard, 2008 Sea Smoke Ten, 2004 Testarossa Bien Nacido. Tremendously interesting wine.

11/21/2010 - blondon wrote:

Decanted one hour, enjoyed over two. This is a dusty, earthy, rustic wine. Much more reminiscent of a Provencal wine than one from Paso Robles. I love the raspberry, the floral notes, the pure essence that this wine shows. Nothing overblown, everything in place, a real treat.

10/30/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped, left open for a couple of hours, then enjoyed with a meal of seared ahi tuna, long beans, okra and brown rice. Expressive nose of citrus and minerality. Lime, lemon, grapefruit, granny smith apples, abundant citric acidity, crisp, clean, bracing. Delicious wine.

10/29/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed with a dinner of pan seared opah cooked with garlic, ginger and lime and shrimp cooked with garlic, olive oil and champagne. Nice ruby red color. Nose and taste of red raspberries, graham cracker, clove. Very well balanced, nicely acidic, added weight and depth as it opened. A very nice wine which is improving each year.

10/28/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and left open in bottle for 2 hours, then enjoyed over 2 hours with a meal of grilled steak with kalbi sauce, sauteed okra and sauteed beets and beet greens. Ripe fruit, nice cherry nose, a bit of earth. Supple mouthfeel, red cherries, dark chocolate. Nice smooth finish with well integrated tannins. A nice wine.

10/22/2010 - blondon wrote:

Decanted 2 hours, enjoyed with baby back ribs, roasted beets, sauteed beet greens, homemade baked beans. What a wonderful wine. Deep rich color. Smoky, black fruit nose. Integrated, smooth, elegant, spicy, plums, figs, meat, black licorice. Swirling intensity of flavors and textures. Really long and interesting finish. I love where this wine is and where it is going.

9/24/2010 - blondon wrote:

Decanted one hour, enjoyed with a meal of: an heirloom tomato, avocado, red onion and feta salad, grilled yams and a Flannery Porterhouse.

Garnet color, uniform to the rim, no sign of bricking. Cigar box, leather, black cherry, anise on the nose. Black cherries, dark red plums, great lift and balance. Flavors of leather and cedar were so well integrated into the dark fruits without any hint of mustiness or staleness. Very vibrant wine with lots of life left.

9/11/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed with a meal of grilled shrimp marinated in lime juice, ginger juice, red curry, salt & pepper; roasted cauliflower from the garden; and a salad of heirloom tomato, red pepper, cucumber and echo mountain bleu cheese.

Incredible nose, showing petrol, rocks, citrus, caramel. Tart green apple, lemon, lime flavors. Wonderful texture, balance and length. Just an beautiful, interesting, welll made wine that perfectly complemented the meal.

8/29/2010 - blondon wrote:

Decanted 90 minutes, enjoyed over 2 hours with a dinner of grilled Flannery Wagyu Filet Tip and whole locally farmed roasted chicken. Incredibly vibrant nose, classic Cabernet aromas of cassis, leather, cedar. Very pure, extremely well integrated flavors of vanilla, sage, clove, black raspberry and other black fruits. Long, complex finish. Exceptional Cabernet.

8/22/2010 - blondon wrote:

with grilled ono, great complement, minerality and lemon notes paired wonderfully, not a complex, contemplative drink, but a very nice wine and an unbeatable QPR.

8/13/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed over 3 hours. Black in the glass, uniform to the rim. Charcoal, black fruits on the nose. Palate showed intense flavors of figs, plums, blackberries, black licorice. Elegant presentation, lithe and nimble, showing great balance and purity. Incredibly layered and complex bottle of wine.

8/6/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed over three hours with a dinner of grilled opah, roasted yellow beets & tomato salad, sauteed beet greens. Nose of Granny Smith apples, lemons, minerality. Refreshing, clean mouthfeel, vibrantly acidic, nice balance of flavors, lemon, lime. Extremely enjoyable bottle of wine. Incredible value as well.

7/24/2010 - blondon wrote:

I sometimes come across a flavor profile that I just don't understand, and it happened last night with this wine. There was an odd fire-roasted tomato smell and taste. I love Bradley's wines, but this isn't the first time I've experienced it with Big Basin and it just doesn't fit what I've come to expect with his syrahs, which are beef, blood, mineral & iron characteristics. Anyone else get this tomato thing?

7/21/2010 - blondon wrote:

Decanted two hours, enjoyed over two. Deep rich color. Black fruits, espresso and anise on the nose. Black olive, licorice, figs, gamy, earthy wine. Nice finish. Opened up nicely during the evening. Hold for a few years or enjoy now with a long decant.

7/15/2010 - blondon wrote:

Decanted one hour, enjoyed over 3. Dark color. Stunning wine, black currants, blackberries, anise, savory, rich, elegant, powerful wine. Smooth in the mouth with a ridiculously long finish. One of my favorite Cabs.

7/15/2010 - blondon wrote:

What a way to finish the evening. This was deep, rich, beautiful golden color, wonderful texture, hazelnuts, yeasty, sensual. Very delicious.

7/15/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped, decanted for sediment and enjoyed over 2 hours. What a fabulous wine, the nose rich, inviting, with floral, cedar, tobacco, tarragon and other savory herbs. The balance and structure of this wine is magnificent, just beautifully layered, textured, with tremendous depth and vibrancy that continued to emerge during the evening.

7/15/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed over 2 hours. Nose was dramatic, spicy, earthy, funky, less bretty than usual. Wonderful and complex wine, clean red fruits, baking spices, soil. Long lingering finish.

7/7/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and poured, enjoyed over 3 hours. What a nose on this wine. Smells like a fire pit dug out of the earth, filled with stones, with the dirt thrown back over the roasting pit.Black fruits abound in the mouth, with blackberries and figs prominent, tempered by a baseline of salinity and acidity. One of those wow wines.

7/4/2010 - blondon wrote:

Popped and left open for a couple hours, enjoyed over 2 hours with a feast of smoked baby backs and rotisserie baby backs. This showed a melange of aromas and flavors, blue fruits, smoke, crushed rocks, flowers, spice, salinity, roasted meats. A very complex and complete bottle of wine, which was surprising to me given its relative youth. Glad to have a few more to see how they evolve.