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Saxum

The Winery

Saxum Vineyards

Saxum Vineyard’s founder, Justin Smith, is Paso Robles first vintner to be raised in the vines, and has developed a deep respect for each of his seven vineyard sites and the Rhone style wines he produces. The high quality, low yielding winery is credited for revolutionizing Paso Robles winemaking.

Their Templeton Gap/Willow Creek location is characterized by rocky calcareous soils, steep hillsides, perfectly sunny days and cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean. This Central Coast rock star focuses on producing Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre blends; crafting some of the most sought after and expensive wines in Paso Robles history.

The production is up to 4,000 cases with 38 of his wines scoring over 95 points by the Wine Advocate and Saxum’s 2007 James Berry Vineyard earning Wine Spectator’s 2010 Wine of the Year. Smith eagerly shares his experiences and knowledge with his neighbor winemakers and utilizes the help from his childhood friends in the cellar. Uniqueness and creativity is found on the bottle as their labels are crafted by a local artist, making it as highly expressive as their wines.

www.saxumvineyards.com

2011
Out of Stock
750ml
WA94–97
V93–95
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Tasting Notes

WA94–96
Much more sexy and voluptuous, the 2011 Paderewski Vineyard (34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvedre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah) delivers loads of black and blue fruits, spice, incense, chocolate and pan dripping-like savoriness to go with a full-bodied, decadently styled mouthfeel. Showing chalky minerality on the finish, it’s a complex 2011 that should be reasonably approachable on release and have 12-15 years of overall longevity. Range: 94-96 Points
V93–95
The 2011 Paderewski Vineyard is striking. This is the first vintage in which vineyard and vintage speak more eloquently than the separate varieties in the blend. Seamless and impeccable, the 2011 offers up an exciting mélange of dark red cherries, plums, mulling spices and menthol. The Zinfandel, which usually dominates, is much better integrated than in the past. Despite all of its size, the 2011 remains relatively light on its feet. An impeccable finish supported by beams of minerality rounds things out in style. This is a great showing from one of the most intriguing wines in the Saxum range. The blend is 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvedre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah. Range: 93-95 Points

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