As you would expect, layers of copious black fruit, overlaying earth and tar notes, with sharp spices (it was quite a spicy wine). Rich, full-bodied, somewhat oaky, although on the second night the oak had faded a bit into the fruit (but never disappeared), yet enough acid to keep it vibrant. Dazzling in its way. This was my only bottle, so I don't know anything about development, but it drank like a baby at age 12.
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Pop and pour. This showed even better than the bottle I opened two weeks ago. Bottle shock muting the first? I never know whether that's a real thing but I had just received it.
Deep, mouth-filling, with hints of pepper and spice, this is a thoroughly satisfying Rhone blend drinking at peak.
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Decanted and served. Masculine, saline, succulent Syrah/Mourvedre blend with chewy tannins, pure dark fruit, river rocks. These are precise wines made from quality fruit and worth the premium price. This one is not so much a crowd pleaser but the flavors are delicious and savory.
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Pop and pour into a decanter - significant fine sediment in the bottle near the end of the decant. In the glass, saturated red-black, leaning towards black. On the nose, blackberries, blueberries, and currants, in that order. On the palate, smooth, lush texture, with ample fruit, with just a hint of astringency on the finish detracting from the wine.
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Opaque purple in color. 15.8% ABV. 70% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre. Sublime nose of red and blue fruits, charred meats, creme de cassis and flowers. Full bodied with exquisite acidity. There is a touch of heat but it does not distract from the wine whatsoever. Boysenberry, blueberry, cassis liqueur and licorice on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long and silky. One of those wines where it is hard to put the glass down. In a perfect spot right now but I suppose it could age longer. I can’t imagine it will get better though. Drink over the next 1-2 years.
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Saxum Tasting (Zurich): Comprehensive vertical tasting of several Saxum vineyards and a total of 24 wines. Most wines on a good to very good level in the 93 to 95 points range, just one on an exceptional (97+ points) level (James Berry Bone Rock 08). The consistency of the wine-making at Saxum is impressive but the tasting proofed to be rather a bit boring with less difference between the vineyards and vintages showing than expected and wished for. Heart Stone stood out a bit (bigger vats used, little new oak) thanks to more terroir expression. James Berry (mostly Grenache) and James Berry Bone Rock (elevated complexity and sexiness) were great. Best vintage (we tried wines from 2003 to 2011) is clearly the 2007 which produced the wines with the most depth.
TN: The Booker Vineyards wines are a virtual blend between the Broken Stone wines (new oak, powerful fruit expression) and the Heart Stone wines (focus and minerality). I liked them a lot with the 2007 being the winner due to its depth. This was the weakest Booker with some heat and oak showing. Not yet fully integrated and balanced enough. Beside that usual profile with dark, blue and red fruit, a sweet core, some minerality embedded in a soft and light structural frame. Not decanted. I would wait a few years with this wine. If you open a bottle I would go with a rather long decant (4-5 hours).
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Decanted for one hour. Nose of blackberry liquor, huckleberry, black plum, smoked meat, coffee grinds and spice. Black and blue fruit, coffee, smoked meat, spice and fine tannins on the palate. Very long, layered finish with excellent depth. Full bodied. Nice wine. Excellent pairing with smoked beef brisket.
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Grand Saxum Tasting (Gustav in Zurich): Grand Saxum tasting over several vineyeards and vintages. 23 wines in total. What was remarkable is the consistancy in aromatics across vintages and partly also across vineyards. Big and powerful wines but not without elegance. As a vintage 2007 stood out as exceptional across all vineyards. Booker stood out as the most consistent on a high level while James Berry vineyards had the highest range, but was oustanding in some vintages. The top wines for me were 2008 Bone Rock and Booker 2007.
Tasting note: Bramble berry fruit, lots of spices. A lot of power on the palate and maybe a tad heat.
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Pnp. Red fruit, spices and earthy notes, confirmed in the mouth. Tannins have integrated, but still a bold wine, a little hot. Perfect for food. Long finish.
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Drinking well. Fruit is somewhat flattened and somewhat diminished, but still a rich wine that begs for food pairing. Flavor arc is well over 1 minute. Nose is rich and funky.
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Bottle from their library @ Saxum. Great concentration of fruit, nicely oaked to give it great depth, dark fruit, lots of youth and structure so there is nomhurrynto drink this up. Beautiful now.
Dynamite. Large and in charge on the Mourvèdre front. Adds a meaty, earthy, and spicy touch. Tobacco, espresso, chocolate, green peppercorn. Licorice, plum, dark raspberry. Bacon fat. This is just killer. Jesus. 2018-2030
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Saxum Vertical Tasting (Mathias@Michael): Burnt dirt and quite compact but still with some freshness. Overall it seems a bit over-ripe and warm in its fruit and the alcohol is dominating slightly.
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Powerhouse Syrah-dominated wine proves the Smiths are the best winemakers in Paso. Dark fruits abound in this intense wine. Layers of flavor and palpable depth from the first sip. Best to give it some air, however.
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Rich, delicious highly extracted blackberry fruit with licorice, black olive, spice, and earth flavors, excellent structure, blend of syrah and mouvedre didn't seem optimally integrated, ample finish
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Decanted for an hr then SO'd for a few more, dark crimson, explosion of blueberries from the bottle after opening, red & black fruit with spice & pepper on the palate, mod. tannins, long finish; delicious & ready to drink but no rush! (love this!!)
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PnP was just a hair tight, but an hour in the decanter did this wonders. Drinking very well right now. Deep blackberry, asphalt, blueberry, and some beautiful minerality. Mid-palate and textural mouthfeel were totally solid. Wrapped around the palate with a combination of silkiness and intensity. Good core fruit with a sweet tannic frame to hold it all nicely together. A velvety powerhouse.
I was at 95-96 points; my other half was at 97+ points, stating it would've been a three digit score except for the fact that the overtly plush fruit-dominant personality ever so slightly distracted from the mineral/stone characteristics of the overall experience.
Very well done and still could use some more time. The alcohol is there and I am moving away from this style. Still, rich black and red fruit and pepper. Easy to drink. Clearly a crowd pleaser for those who like this style and my rating is respecting this and that it's very well made rather than my current style preference.
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A saxum tasting at Cooking School (ICASI): Allowed to breathe for 24 hours prior to drinking which I believe it needed. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black licorice, white pepper and spice. Maybe some dark cherries too. On the palate, this has a nice softness and complexity but still a while to go until peak. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Wonderful seamless texture. Black raspberries, slight earthiness, and spice on the palate. Nice but not strong acidity. Long finish. Worked great with grilled polenta. Needs time or air though.
Getting better with age. I opened slow ox'd for 6 hours, recorked, took to the restaurant opened it and let it sit for another hour while we drank an Australian Shiraz. Big nose of dark fruit, the palate is dark berries, plum, fig and thyme. A really long lush finish. Just an amazing bottle of wine. Unfortunately this was the last of my 09's.
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I've always thought that Saxum should be opened no sooner than 8 years from vintage, and I didn't follow my own rule. I made the mistake of not decanting, and this wine was big, broad and muscular on pop-and-pour. Initially it was like the gentlemen on Magic Mike XXL, which isn't quite my preference with rhone rangers. But, with considerable time, it opened, softened and integrated. Tons of the distinctive Saxum herbs and minerality surrounding the endless waves of fruit. It settled into a Hugh Jackman wearing a tuxedo. No less masculine, but much more refined.
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Using the Coravin, I have been taking a glass every 6 months or so, since the beginning of '14. Had last two glasses Saturday and though I don't have specific tasting notes, I can say is that this wine is spectacular. Worth getting your hands on if you can.
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Decanted through a vinturi and let sit for about 3 hours while we drank a magnum of Freeman pinot noir at the bbq for my office team. Dark fruit on the nose, the palate was dark fruit, fig, raisins, mushrooms and a blend of spice. A long full finish made this an outstanding wine that we served with the grilled steaks.
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This was pop and pour, so I gave it vigorous swirling in the glass. It needed it. This still needs time or air to settle down. After some time, it drank beautifully. Some of the early raisin notes disappear. No heat. Lovely texture. Bottles id drained quickly. Great wine.
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Delicate, brilliant mix of Syrah (70%) and Mourvedre (30%). At first I was nervous about the percentage of Mourvedre, worrying that it would undermine the Syrah, but in the end, it added to the subtlety and complexity of the overall effect, giving it backbone. Most interesting interplay of the two varietals.
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decanted which opened it up and at least for me, the warmer it got, the more over the top and excessive and just too ripe...Sue of course loved it. Very ripe black fruits
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Popped and poured...outclassed by others, including a 2007 SHS and 2003 Shafer Firebreak...needs a lot more air/decant, but could also be shut down as it did not offer much fruit or spice on the nose that I typically associate with Saxum.
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Decanted for 3 hours and consumed over another 2 hours. This is stunning. Overflowing with black fruits, blackberry, raspberry jam, licorice, dusty dark fruits, subtle baking spices and a luscious, smooth mouthfeel with well integrated tannins. Just a hint hot on the finish, but not at all destracting. A killer wine, can enjoy now with a decant or age for another 10+ years.
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Awesome out of the gate but got better after a few hours. Great velvety texture, extracted and elegant with great balance. This has gotten better after another year in bottle, I wouldn't hesitate to drink now or hold for 5 years.
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Decanted for 36 hours before tasting. Dark and dense, the fruit had that overripe, going toward prune aspect, and the tannins, though soft, were still assertive at back palate. Not as enjoyable as most other wines I have had from this producer.
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Opened then decanted for about 2 hours. Had alongside a 2010 Greer. The saxum started off tight, but opened nicely as time passed. Big. Thick. Bold. Purple fruit. Meat. Blood. I would think this will improve with more time...
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15.8% alcohol. Dark, nearly opaque ruby red. Extraordinary aromatics. Extreme red and black fruit concentration, highlighted by cherries, black cherries, boysenberry and a wonderfully distinctive fruit flavor that I can't quite put my finger on. Layers and layers of fruit, the depth is exceptional. Very long. Very fine.
This wine is 70% Syrah and 30% Mourved from the Booker Vineyard in Paso Robles.
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The fantastic taste raises the score quite a bit, and helps you forget the hot finish and the just 'too big' overall feel. When one chews on the wine, a fantastic burst of spice, especially cinnamon and allspice, makes it presence, and the dark fruit explodes in flavor. Damn good, just slightly out of balance (almost pulls off the size).
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Ordered more Saxum today, had to celebrate, this wine just blows you away, love the big brisk mouth full of dusty spicy old ruffed up leather and fire smoked fruit.
Started off tight but after a few hours it became much more balanced and flavorful. Not the best Saxum, but if you are in the mood for a very traditional saxum flavor profile this fits the bill and then some. Very extracted but hides the massive alcohol and has very good balance. There is some strong oak that will probably always be there but the fruit keeps it in check for the most part. Good wine.
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USA Cult and Wines of Interest (Sydney, Australia): Blackberry, liquorice, cola, oak and a lifted somewhat spirity character from the alcohol. A huge palate in the ultra ripe style, there is some spice that thankfully provided some dimension and interest aside from the fruit density. It has good length, though I could feel the alcohol following through a bit as well.
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Tasted at NoVA offline last night courtesy of WineBerg I liked the Booker before it better, but this was really nice too. No other notes. Good stuff. Popped at 7am for a 6:30pm tasting. I drank it at 9:30pm.
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My 2nd fav of the night, which again, is probably function of drinking at last amongst 19 other wines. Decanted 12-18 hrs. Again, infanticide, but this will be a 96+ point wine in 10 years.
Big red fruit nose, Massive black and red fruit, with a great complexity and balance. Big tannins that were only mildly knocked down by the long decant. Really mouth coating. slight sourness on the finish (probably from the decant)
Tasted at the DC/NOVA offline
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January 2013 CT Northern Virginia Off-Line "The Inaugural" (AngryPrez's home, Falls Church VA): It was fun to taste this side-by-side with the Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture from the same vintage. To me, the noses were identical (rocket fuel?) but they were very different in the mouth. So big and tannic (after 12+ hour decant) I needed to eat bread as I tasted it but I have to admit it was delicious when diluted a bit with the bread. Long and happy future ahead of this one.
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Decanted for 3.5 hours - the nose was very fruity, on the palate, the high percentage of alcohol came through along with concentrated fruit flavors, a touch of menthol on the long lingering finish
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Infanticide!!! (Publican, Chicago IL): nose: completely overblown and over ripe nose with tones of black fruits, oak, black marker tones and lots of liqueur. This wasn't all too enjoyable on the nose.
taste: full bodied with good supporting tannins, but there is a good amount of heat on this as well. Extremely ripe and rich with overblown tones of black fruits, black marker, and lots of oak.
overall: this was far from my cup of tea. I wonder how it will be in the future, but it was over ripe and over blown. Others at the table liked this, I was the opposite.
The "Open a Bottle That Shouldn't Be Opened" Offline (The Publican - Chicago, IL): Pop and pour. Aromas of oak, spice, dark fruit blast out of the glass - the aromas were so dense that they seemed to have a physical prescence to them. The palate wasn't my cup of tea - just too alcoholic for me...hard to get back the stinging sensation in my throat and mouth. Others preferred this far more than I did, just a stylistic difference and it's just so young at this point.
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Very young wine! Aromas of licorice, smoke, dark fruit, earth and minerals. The wine was very concentrated, full bodied with good structure loads of especially black fruit, licorice, meat and earthy elements. The wine was very saturated... you could almost feel a kind of tension in the wine. It needs at least 2-5 years to integrate. 93++
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Fairly classic Saxum nose, dark berry with some noticeable sweet oak flavors. This wine was silky, smooth, and very well balanced. It's lacking some of the complexity that is found in recent years but this is damn good!
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Purchased and splash decanted at the table. Deep nose, with berry liquor and oak spice. Forward palate, with massively concentrated dark fruit, but shows the slighter redder side of the mourvedre as well, with briary ripe fruit, raspberry, and currants as the foundation. Huge coarse tannins keep this well structured, though the acidity seems rather low (but may just be a perception). This became more liquor-like and shows a little heat with 2-3hr of air. Ends with a sweetness, mocha, and plenty of concentrated fruit flavors. Clearly well made and one of the most concentrated wines I've had, though stylistically I preferred the Lillian--which isn't a shy wine at all. Just a little too much for me. Maybe needs a few years to settle down. After 3 bottles of Saxum that just don't live up to the hype, Saxum just doesn't seem to be my style.
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7/16/2023 - davudvl Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great bottle. Drank for my bday at Casalena with family. Short 30 min decant. Smooth and very well integrated wine with some spice.
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11/12/2022 - Mr T wrote:
This was great and well balanced
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9/30/2021 - ChrisR Likes this wine:
As you would expect, layers of copious black fruit, overlaying earth and tar notes, with sharp spices (it was quite a spicy wine). Rich, full-bodied, somewhat oaky, although on the second night the oak had faded a bit into the fruit (but never disappeared), yet enough acid to keep it vibrant. Dazzling in its way. This was my only bottle, so I don't know anything about development, but it drank like a baby at age 12.
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8/9/2021 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 94 Points
I think it's still drinking well. Great fruit, complex, integrated, super finish. Big thumbs up from the missus.
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2/12/2021 - MLwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Plenty of fruit and energy. Classic Saxum in a really nice spot.
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1/9/2021 - Sonoma-W Likes this wine: 93 Points
Intense, thick but much more balanced with age. 70% Syrah/305 Mourvedre
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11/26/2020 - Goblin Juice wrote: 90 Points
Not overly complicated but balanced if not lacking a bit of acid.
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4/13/2020 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 95 Points
Pop and pour. This showed even better than the bottle I opened two weeks ago. Bottle shock muting the first? I never know whether that's a real thing but I had just received it.
Deep, mouth-filling, with hints of pepper and spice, this is a thoroughly satisfying Rhone blend drinking at peak.
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3/30/2020 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted and served. Masculine, saline, succulent Syrah/Mourvedre blend with chewy tannins, pure dark fruit, river rocks. These are precise wines made from quality fruit and worth the premium price. This one is not so much a crowd pleaser but the flavors are delicious and savory.
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3/7/2020 - jshufelt wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour into a decanter - significant fine sediment in the bottle near the end of the decant. In the glass, saturated red-black, leaning towards black. On the nose, blackberries, blueberries, and currants, in that order. On the palate, smooth, lush texture, with ample fruit, with just a hint of astringency on the finish detracting from the wine.
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11/26/2019 - tomlee wrote: 97 Points
Opaque purple in color. 15.8% ABV. 70% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre. Sublime nose of red and blue fruits, charred meats, creme de cassis and flowers. Full bodied with exquisite acidity. There is a touch of heat but it does not distract from the wine whatsoever. Boysenberry, blueberry, cassis liqueur and licorice on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long and silky. One of those wines where it is hard to put the glass down. In a perfect spot right now but I suppose it could age longer. I can’t imagine it will get better though. Drink over the next 1-2 years.
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7/13/2019 - Cailles wrote: 92 Points
Saxum Tasting (Zurich): Comprehensive vertical tasting of several Saxum vineyards and a total of 24 wines. Most wines on a good to very good level in the 93 to 95 points range, just one on an exceptional (97+ points) level (James Berry Bone Rock 08). The consistency of the wine-making at Saxum is impressive but the tasting proofed to be rather a bit boring with less difference between the vineyards and vintages showing than expected and wished for. Heart Stone stood out a bit (bigger vats used, little new oak) thanks to more terroir expression. James Berry (mostly Grenache) and James Berry Bone Rock (elevated complexity and sexiness) were great. Best vintage (we tried wines from 2003 to 2011) is clearly the 2007 which produced the wines with the most depth.
TN: The Booker Vineyards wines are a virtual blend between the Broken Stone wines (new oak, powerful fruit expression) and the Heart Stone wines (focus and minerality). I liked them a lot with the 2007 being the winner due to its depth. This was the weakest Booker with some heat and oak showing. Not yet fully integrated and balanced enough. Beside that usual profile with dark, blue and red fruit, a sweet core, some minerality embedded in a soft and light structural frame. Not decanted. I would wait a few years with this wine. If you open a bottle I would go with a rather long decant (4-5 hours).
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7/4/2019 - hoservin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for one hour. Nose of blackberry liquor, huckleberry, black plum, smoked meat, coffee grinds and spice. Black and blue fruit, coffee, smoked meat, spice and fine tannins on the palate. Very long, layered finish with excellent depth. Full bodied. Nice wine. Excellent pairing with smoked beef brisket.
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6/22/2019 - sirpat00 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Grand Saxum Tasting (Gustav in Zurich): Grand Saxum tasting over several vineyeards and vintages. 23 wines in total. What was remarkable is the consistancy in aromatics across vintages and partly also across vineyards. Big and powerful wines but not without elegance. As a vintage 2007 stood out as exceptional across all vineyards. Booker stood out as the most consistent on a high level while James Berry vineyards had the highest range, but was oustanding in some vintages. The top wines for me were 2008 Bone Rock and Booker 2007.
Tasting note:
Bramble berry fruit, lots of spices. A lot of power on the palate and maybe a tad heat.
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1/20/2019 - Maphill01 Likes this wine:
Pnp. Red fruit, spices and earthy notes, confirmed in the mouth. Tannins have integrated, but still a bold wine, a little hot. Perfect for food. Long finish.
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11/30/2018 - Levinsb wrote:
Big lush in your face. Not a violets and pepper Syrah. This is dark and chewy and hot with alcohol.
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10/20/2018 - Amerique wrote: 95 Points
Fruit flavors were more integrated than when previously tasted.
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10/10/2018 - jimineff wrote: 94 Points
Drinking well. Fruit is somewhat flattened and somewhat diminished, but still a rich wine that begs for food pairing. Flavor arc is well over 1 minute. Nose is rich and funky.
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9/21/2018 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Similar to prior notes after a 1 hr decant then back in the bottle. Went beautifully with the Wagyu burger at Capital Grille.
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8/26/2018 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for 2 hrs, deep ruby/purple, blueberries with some spice & pepper, med. tannins, long finish; delicious, drink or hold
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5/12/2018 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 97 Points
Bottle from their library @ Saxum. Great concentration of fruit, nicely oaked to give it great depth, dark fruit, lots of youth and structure so there is nomhurrynto drink this up. Beautiful now.
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5/11/2018 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Bottle sample @ Saxum - Great dark fruit, good structure. Big tannin, but they have started to melt away a touch. Such a treat
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5/4/2018 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 97 Points
Dark purple. Started off vacation with a Big Bang. Full bodied, big nose of raspberry jam, wonderful. Will expand note later.
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5/4/2018 - andrewdodd86 Likes this wine: 99 Points
Dynamite. Large and in charge on the Mourvèdre front. Adds a meaty, earthy, and spicy touch. Tobacco, espresso, chocolate, green peppercorn. Licorice, plum, dark raspberry. Bacon fat. This is just killer. Jesus. 2018-2030
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4/6/2018 - canan wrote: 92 Points
Saxum Vertical Tasting (Mathias@Michael): Burnt dirt and quite compact but still with some freshness.
Overall it seems a bit over-ripe and warm in its fruit and the alcohol is dominating slightly.
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7/14/2017 - Stevere Likes this wine: 97 Points
Powerhouse Syrah-dominated wine proves the Smiths are the best winemakers in Paso. Dark fruits abound in this intense wine. Layers of flavor and palpable depth from the first sip. Best to give it some air, however.
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5/28/2017 - JohnnyShiraz Likes this wine: 95 Points
15.8% ABV, 70% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre
Ready to drink but I would decant or at least pour in the glass and wait 30 minutes. It really opens up. It is a big wine.
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3/14/2017 - Backdoctor wrote: 93 Points
big wine, drinking well now. Needed some time in glass to open up some but enjoyable from start to finish
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12/27/2016 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Similar to prior note, but seems younger (perhaps need a longer decant or more time)
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12/4/2016 - Amerique wrote: 94 Points
Rich, delicious highly extracted blackberry fruit with licorice, black olive, spice, and earth flavors, excellent structure, blend of syrah and mouvedre didn't seem optimally integrated, ample finish
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9/24/2016 - jsmorris707 wrote: 98 Points
Decanted for an hr then SO'd for a few more, dark crimson, explosion of blueberries from the bottle after opening, red & black fruit with spice & pepper on the palate, mod. tannins, long finish; delicious & ready to drink but no rush! (love this!!)
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8/26/2016 - csimm wrote: 96 Points
PnP was just a hair tight, but an hour in the decanter did this wonders. Drinking very well right now. Deep blackberry, asphalt, blueberry, and some beautiful minerality. Mid-palate and textural mouthfeel were totally solid. Wrapped around the palate with a combination of silkiness and intensity. Good core fruit with a sweet tannic frame to hold it all nicely together. A velvety powerhouse.
I was at 95-96 points; my other half was at 97+ points, stating it would've been a three digit score except for the fact that the overtly plush fruit-dominant personality ever so slightly distracted from the mineral/stone characteristics of the overall experience.
Drink now and over the next 3-5 years.
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8/23/2016 - cpsmith33 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very well done and still could use some more time.
The alcohol is there and I am moving away from this style. Still, rich black and red fruit and pepper. Easy to drink. Clearly a crowd pleaser for those who like this style and my rating is respecting this and that it's very well made rather than my current style preference.
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6/21/2016 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich black berry and spice on the nose and palate with touch of heat on the long finish.
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1/16/2016 - bambam Likes this wine: 94 Points
Splash decanted, a good idea. Blackberries, pepper and some celery. Tannins are there but well balanced with the fruit and acid. Yummy.
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1/10/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 97 Points
A saxum tasting at Cooking School (ICASI): Allowed to breathe for 24 hours prior to drinking which I believe it needed. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black licorice, white pepper and spice. Maybe some dark cherries too. On the palate, this has a nice softness and complexity but still a while to go until peak. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Wonderful seamless texture. Black raspberries, slight earthiness, and spice on the palate. Nice but not strong acidity. Long finish. Worked great with grilled polenta. Needs time or air though.
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11/27/2015 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Big and brawny with blueberries and beef. Loads of baking spices and herb. Delicious.
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11/7/2015 - phenricsson wrote: 95 Points
Big, spicy, rich. Some tar and licorice. Deep, dark fruit. Opened up more in the glass. Excellent with the rack of lamb
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11/6/2015 - markcic Likes this wine: 95 Points
Getting better with age. I opened slow ox'd for 6 hours, recorked, took to the restaurant opened it and let it sit for another hour while we drank an Australian Shiraz. Big nose of dark fruit, the palate is dark berries, plum, fig and thyme. A really long lush finish. Just an amazing bottle of wine. Unfortunately this was the last of my 09's.
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9/16/2015 - Jonathan T wrote: 92 Points
I've always thought that Saxum should be opened no sooner than 8 years from vintage, and I didn't follow my own rule. I made the mistake of not decanting, and this wine was big, broad and muscular on pop-and-pour. Initially it was like the gentlemen on Magic Mike XXL, which isn't quite my preference with rhone rangers. But, with considerable time, it opened, softened and integrated. Tons of the distinctive Saxum herbs and minerality surrounding the endless waves of fruit. It settled into a Hugh Jackman wearing a tuxedo. No less masculine, but much more refined.
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8/15/2015 - DCSteve wrote: 96 Points
Using the Coravin, I have been taking a glass every 6 months or so, since the beginning of '14. Had last two glasses Saturday and though I don't have specific tasting notes, I can say is that this wine is spectacular. Worth getting your hands on if you can.
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6/24/2015 - markcic Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted through a vinturi and let sit for about 3 hours while we drank a magnum of Freeman pinot noir at the bbq for my office team.
Dark fruit on the nose, the palate was dark fruit, fig, raisins, mushrooms and a blend of spice. A long full finish made this an outstanding wine that we served with the grilled steaks.
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6/5/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 95 Points
This was pop and pour, so I gave it vigorous swirling in the glass. It needed it. This still needs time or air to settle down. After some time, it drank beautifully. Some of the early raisin notes disappear. No heat. Lovely texture. Bottles id drained quickly. Great wine.
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5/31/2015 - ELH wrote: 95 Points
Delicate, brilliant mix of Syrah (70%) and Mourvedre (30%). At first I was nervous about the percentage of Mourvedre, worrying that it would undermine the Syrah, but in the end, it added to the subtlety and complexity of the overall effect, giving it backbone. Most interesting interplay of the two varietals.
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5/25/2015 - Baggio Likes this wine: 96 Points
Fabulous. Complex, clean, almost perfect example of these two grape varieties blended. Amazing precision.
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2/21/2015 - Mr T wrote:
decanted which opened it up and at least for me, the warmer it got, the more over the top and excessive and just too ripe...Sue of course loved it. Very ripe black fruits
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2/2/2015 - hanasowner wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured...outclassed by others, including a 2007 SHS and 2003 Shafer Firebreak...needs a lot more air/decant, but could also be shut down as it did not offer much fruit or spice on the nose that I typically associate with Saxum.
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2/1/2015 - Grape Stuff Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for 3 hours and consumed over another 2 hours. This is stunning. Overflowing with black fruits, blackberry, raspberry jam, licorice, dusty dark fruits, subtle baking spices and a luscious, smooth mouthfeel with well integrated tannins. Just a hint hot on the finish, but not at all destracting. A killer wine, can enjoy now with a decant or age for another 10+ years.
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10/31/2014 - sonodoc Likes this wine: 95 Points
Booker is always my favorite of the Saxum wines! Bold, dark red and black fruit flavors. Very rich, thick, and smooth. Awesome!
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10/10/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 96 Points
Awesome out of the gate but got better after a few hours. Great velvety texture, extracted and elegant with great balance. This has gotten better after another year in bottle, I wouldn't hesitate to drink now or hold for 5 years.
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9/22/2014 - jeagle wrote:
Decanted for 36 hours before tasting. Dark and dense, the fruit had that overripe, going toward prune aspect, and the tannins, though soft, were still assertive at back palate. Not as enjoyable as most other wines I have had from this producer.
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8/20/2014 - lucaslabelle wrote: 92 Points
Opened then decanted for about 2 hours. Had alongside a 2010 Greer. The saxum started off tight, but opened nicely as time passed. Big. Thick. Bold. Purple fruit. Meat. Blood. I would think this will improve with more time...
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3/27/2014 - pilot360 wrote:
Took about 6 hours to come together. Would hold for many moons for max satisfaction. Became very good with some time. Tough competition.
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12/23/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 95 Points
15.8% alcohol. Dark, nearly opaque ruby red. Extraordinary aromatics. Extreme red and black fruit concentration, highlighted by cherries, black cherries, boysenberry and a wonderfully distinctive fruit flavor that I can't quite put my finger on. Layers and layers of fruit, the depth is exceptional. Very long. Very fine.
This wine is 70% Syrah and 30% Mourved from the Booker Vineyard in Paso Robles.
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12/22/2013 - cadamson Likes this wine: 92 Points
The fantastic taste raises the score quite a bit, and helps you forget the hot finish and the just 'too big' overall feel. When one chews on the wine, a fantastic burst of spice, especially cinnamon and allspice, makes it presence, and the dark fruit explodes in flavor. Damn good, just slightly out of balance (almost pulls off the size).
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7/30/2013 - shadow wrote: 98 Points
Ordered more Saxum today, had to celebrate, this wine just blows you away, love the big brisk mouth full of dusty spicy old ruffed up leather and fire smoked fruit.
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6/21/2013 - pakabear Likes this wine: 93 Points
Started off tight but after a few hours it became much more balanced and flavorful. Not the best Saxum, but if you are in the mood for a very traditional saxum flavor profile this fits the bill and then some. Very extracted but hides the massive alcohol and has very good balance. There is some strong oak that will probably always be there but the fruit keeps it in check for the most part. Good wine.
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3/14/2013 - CamWheeler wrote: 89 Points
USA Cult and Wines of Interest (Sydney, Australia): Blackberry, liquorice, cola, oak and a lifted somewhat spirity character from the alcohol. A huge palate in the ultra ripe style, there is some spice that thankfully provided some dimension and interest aside from the fruit density. It has good length, though I could feel the alcohol following through a bit as well.
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1/27/2013 - hellowine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tasted at NoVA offline last night courtesy of WineBerg I liked the Booker before it better, but this was really nice too. No other notes. Good stuff. Popped at 7am for a 6:30pm tasting. I drank it at 9:30pm.
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1/26/2013 - ericindc Likes this wine: 92 Points
My 2nd fav of the night, which again, is probably function of drinking at last amongst 19 other wines. Decanted 12-18 hrs. Again, infanticide, but this will be a 96+ point wine in 10 years.
Big red fruit nose, Massive black and red fruit, with a great complexity and balance. Big tannins that were only mildly knocked down by the long decant. Really mouth coating. slight sourness on the finish (probably from the decant)
Tasted at the DC/NOVA offline
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1/26/2013 - grayfont wrote: 90 Points
January 2013 CT Northern Virginia Off-Line "The Inaugural" (AngryPrez's home, Falls Church VA): It was fun to taste this side-by-side with the Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture from the same vintage. To me, the noses were identical (rocket fuel?) but they were very different in the mouth. So big and tannic (after 12+ hour decant) I needed to eat bread as I tasted it but I have to admit it was delicious when diluted a bit with the bread. Long and happy future ahead of this one.
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12/4/2012 - Mootsie wrote: 95 Points
Opened after about an hour. Deep black fruit, licorice and a nice spice bite. Balanced for such a young wine. Excellent.
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11/26/2012 - markcic Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted for 3.5 hours - the nose was very fruity, on the palate, the high percentage of alcohol came through along with concentrated fruit flavors, a touch of menthol on the long lingering finish
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10/4/2012 - KeithAkers wrote: 76 Points
Infanticide!!! (Publican, Chicago IL): nose: completely overblown and over ripe nose with tones of black fruits, oak, black marker tones and lots of liqueur. This wasn't all too enjoyable on the nose.
taste: full bodied with good supporting tannins, but there is a good amount of heat on this as well. Extremely ripe and rich with overblown tones of black fruits, black marker, and lots of oak.
overall: this was far from my cup of tea. I wonder how it will be in the future, but it was over ripe and over blown. Others at the table liked this, I was the opposite.
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10/4/2012 - tooch wrote: 78 Points
The "Open a Bottle That Shouldn't Be Opened" Offline (The Publican - Chicago, IL): Pop and pour. Aromas of oak, spice, dark fruit blast out of the glass - the aromas were so dense that they seemed to have a physical prescence to them. The palate wasn't my cup of tea - just too alcoholic for me...hard to get back the stinging sensation in my throat and mouth. Others preferred this far more than I did, just a stylistic difference and it's just so young at this point.
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7/9/2012 - MayValley wrote: 93 Points
Very young wine! Aromas of licorice, smoke, dark fruit, earth and minerals. The wine was very concentrated, full bodied with good structure loads of especially black fruit, licorice, meat and earthy elements. The wine was very saturated... you could almost feel a kind of tension in the wine. It needs at least 2-5 years to integrate. 93++
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6/23/2012 - shadow wrote: 96 Points
rich full nose, deep colors, flavors are concentrated and spicy with a long clean finish, terific wine with years to go
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6/8/2012 - pakabear wrote: 94 Points
Fairly classic Saxum nose, dark berry with some noticeable sweet oak flavors. This wine was silky, smooth, and very well balanced. It's lacking some of the complexity that is found in recent years but this is damn good!
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5/10/2012 - Nutty08 wrote: 92 Points
Purchased and splash decanted at the table. Deep nose, with berry liquor and oak spice. Forward palate, with massively concentrated dark fruit, but shows the slighter redder side of the mourvedre as well, with briary ripe fruit, raspberry, and currants as the foundation. Huge coarse tannins keep this well structured, though the acidity seems rather low (but may just be a perception). This became more liquor-like and shows a little heat with 2-3hr of air. Ends with a sweetness, mocha, and plenty of concentrated fruit flavors. Clearly well made and one of the most concentrated wines I've had, though stylistically I preferred the Lillian--which isn't a shy wine at all. Just a little too much for me. Maybe needs a few years to settle down. After 3 bottles of Saxum that just don't live up to the hype, Saxum just doesn't seem to be my style.
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