2013 Saxum Broken Stones TN

WINE TALK
1

I know this is considered baby killing by a lot of people but did it anyway

I love young Saxums and this did not disappoint, vibrant viscous purple. wonderful aromas of dark heavy things to come, think mince pie, black pudding and blackberry. Drinking the wine it is extremely viscous even for a young Saxum, again the dark brooding flavours are there but as expected with a wonderful energy. Unusally in my limited Saxum experience ( maybe 10 bottles ) there was a nice acidity, now this of course could be tannins but to me it came across as more acidic than the bitterness i associated with tannins, it was certainly very unusual and you effectively had the big full GSM experience in all its thickness but with a vein of acidic lightness going through the wine to balance it out. I know this wine will last 10-20 years and im sure it will develop wonderful complex deep flavours and textures but as a baby it assaults the taste buds like being slapped in the face with a wet kipper, you get an initial sting but then you fell alive and ready to take on the world. This is what young Saxum does for me, it just makes me smile and the pure life and energy of it gives me such a high that even though it might become a more integrated complex wine down the road im happy to drink at least a chunk of my purchases before they make the offsite to disappear for years.

If you have multiple bottles do not be afraid to try one now, go on, get kippered !!

2

Slap. hand. Do. not. reply. Too. easy. Some. people. honestly. like. this.

3

Not only like it, we love it

4

I have been eyeballin’ the 2010.

5

Go read the thread about whether crappy burg gets as good as great producer burg when it gets old. neener

Come to the Berserkerfest and I will give you some wine with real flavor. It will be a wonderful experience.

6

Ah, he took the bait! neener [berserker.gif] [pillow-fight.gif] grouphug

Actually, we have some wines in common, remember the Nuit St. George Didiers (in my signature)?

Thanks much for the invite, I would love to come and explain to you what’s good wine and what isn’t :wink: , but I have a granddaughters’s birthday party that day.

7

2013Saxum.BrokenStones.6.2016.jpg
Opened one up this past weekend. Here’s my take:

2013 Saxum Broken Stones - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (6/19/2016)
Opened, poured into a decanter, and served with food (barbecued baby back ribs with tomato based barbecue sauce, and polenta, in case you were wondering). Followed for about 4 hours both with food and on its own.
Dark deep purple color. Nose of blackberries, violets and some sandalwood.
Ripe, rich black fruits - blackberries and black cherries, with a chalky note. Pepper and licorice root on the finish. At cellar temperature, the wine was not showing any heat. Ripe fruit but with a good streak of acidity to give the wine lift and keep it inviting. This is a rich wine with ripe fruit that offers complexity and depth.
Wine label indicates the blend for 2013 as:
48% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, 17% Grenache, 6% Mourvèdre,
4% Tempranillo, 3% Roussanne
15.5% abv.

Tasted the remaining glass from the bottle the following day. At room temperature, the wine retained good ripe fruit with the acidity still in place - although at room temperature, the heat from the alcohol is certainly noticeable. Better to serve at a slightly chilled temperature.

If memory serves . . . I think the 13’s are the first year to have Tempranillo in the blend.

8

How would you rate overall ?

9

Geez, and I thought it’d be shameful to break out a 2011

10

It was quite an enjoyable wine, with a bit more tannins and acidity than earlier versions of the Broken Stones.
I think I gave it a 91 points.

The two 2013 James Berry Vineyard wines that I have had were much more enjoyable and approachable.

I tend to open bottles of Saxum fairly young. For the 2013 Broken Stones, i will hold off on opening my remaining bottle.