TN: 2006 Saxum Broken Stones

Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w · June 2, 2009, 1:27am

Consumed with a Flannery rib roast yesterday with some company, the label on this wine states that is 63% Syrah, 24% Grenache, and 13% Mourvedre. I decanted it before the meat met the heat – maybe 2 hours before pouring. The first glass was all smoke, roasted meat, and something like road tar (in a good way); maybe the darkness comes from the Mourvedre. After a while, dark fruit and some peppery spice joined the party. The nicely marbled roast probably helped conceal the fact that this was consumed a touch young, but the wine made a great foil for the meat and was enjoyed by everyone at the table. Interestingly, one guest was a native of Australia who loves Barossa Shiraz, and she thought the Saxum had all the boldness of the wines she grew up drinking, but with more finesse and nuance. Nice bottle.

CFu · June 2, 2009, 3:06am

i enjoy the acidity and minerality from this bottle, i would never have expected it looking at the alcohol content of this wine!

Tyler_Rico · June 2, 2009, 3:10am

thanks for the note Brad. I have been meaning to keep my hands off these for a year or two more but might pop one soon.

Brian_London · June 2, 2009, 3:19am

Brad,

Your experience is very similar to mine when I had this in January of this year…decanted 3 hours, drank over the next 3. Extremely dark color. Intensity in 10 cities on the nose and palate. Black raspberries, bacon, plum, earth. Rich, brooding, elegant, sweet and savory. Velvet in the mouth. Long finish. Akin to a tremendous pancake breakfast with all the trimmings minus the pancakes…

Yoni_O_v_a_d_i_a · June 2, 2009, 4:49am

Great note. I had this a few months ago and it was just like your TN, absolutely wonderful. Went perfect with my filet at Ruth’s Chris.

Jared_Wagner · June 2, 2009, 8:02pm

This is a serious kick ass bottle of wine and for only $45 is almost creeps into the QPR arena. I drank one on NYE and its been freakin’ tough to lay off my other two. I think I need to buy some more on Winebid or drink my friend’s…

Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w · June 2, 2009, 10:23pm

Wait a minute. I know that tasting note style. Let’s see . . . Jared. From Washington. Likes Saxum (and probably Cayuse as well). Jared Wagner?

Welcome to the board! Assuming I guessed right, this place is going to be even more fun now.

Jared_Wagner · June 2, 2009, 10:36pm

Yes, it’s me. I do love Saxum, Cayuse, and hardcore wine porn! Oh yeah, thanks for the welcome!

Yoni_O_v_a_d_i_a · June 3, 2009, 12:30am

You have entered the ‘Madonna’ world of tasting notes. You don’t need no stinkin’ last name. I knew it was you when I read the note as well. Hilarious…

Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w · June 3, 2009, 2:32am

Yes, but of course now his last name appears right after his first name, so people who come to this thread late will think we are smoking crack.

I do agree the Broken Stones is a good qpr at the price. Also, in response to Charlie’s observation a few posts up, I am also amazed at how far from overblown and alcoholic this wine seems. My usual preference in California Syrah is for the cool climate, higher acidity, lower alcohol style, but I could be satisfied with wine like this a great deal of the time (maybe even for breakfast, after considering Mr. London’s post).

Jared_Wagner · June 3, 2009, 5:55pm

Brad S w a l l o w:

Yoni Ovadia:

Jared Wagner:

Yes, it’s me. I do love Saxum, Cayuse, and hardcore wine porn! Oh yeah, thanks for the welcome!

You have entered the ‘Madonna’ world of tasting notes. You don’t need no stinkin’ last name. I knew it was you when I read the note as well. Hilarious…

Yes, but of course now his last name appears right after his first name, so people who come to this thread late will think we are smoking crack.

I do agree the Broken Stones is a good qpr at the price. Also, in response to Charlie’s observation a few posts up, I am also amazed at how far from overblown and alcoholic this wine seems. My usual preference in California Syrah is for the cool climate, higher acidity, lower alcohol style, but I could be satisfied with wine like this a great deal of the time (maybe even for breakfast, after considering Mr. London’s post).

It was pretty cool to be known by one name even it was for only like 2 hrs!

Brad, Which cool climate Cali syrahs are you a fan of? Big Basin? ESJ?

Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w · June 3, 2009, 6:18pm

Jared Wagner:

Brad S w a l l o w:

Yoni Ovadia:

You have entered the ‘Madonna’ world of tasting notes. You don’t need no stinkin’ last name. I knew it was you when I read the note as well. Hilarious…

Yes, but of course now his last name appears right after his first name, so people who come to this thread late will think we are smoking crack.

I do agree the Broken Stones is a good qpr at the price. Also, in response to Charlie’s observation a few posts up, I am also amazed at how far from overblown and alcoholic this wine seems. My usual preference in California Syrah is for the cool climate, higher acidity, lower alcohol style, but I could be satisfied with wine like this a great deal of the time (maybe even for breakfast, after considering Mr. London’s post).

It was pretty cool to be known by one name even it was for only like 2 hrs!

Brad, Which cool climate Cali syrahs are you a fan of? Big Basin? ESJ?

Haven’t tried either but intend to. The higher altitude, cooler climate sites from Pax and Copain are appealing to me.

Brian_London · June 3, 2009, 6:26pm

Brad S w a l l o w:

Jared Wagner:

Brad S w a l l o w:

Yes, but of course now his last name appears right after his first name, so people who come to this thread late will think we are smoking crack.

I do agree the Broken Stones is a good qpr at the price. Also, in response to Charlie’s observation a few posts up, I am also amazed at how far from overblown and alcoholic this wine seems. My usual preference in California Syrah is for the cool climate, higher acidity, lower alcohol style, but I could be satisfied with wine like this a great deal of the time (maybe even for breakfast, after considering Mr. London’s post).

It was pretty cool to be known by one name even it was for only like 2 hrs!

Brad, Which cool climate Cali syrahs are you a fan of? Big Basin? ESJ?

Haven’t tried either but intend to. The higher altitude, cooler climate sites from Pax and Copain are appealing to me.

Brad,

If you like those you might be interested in these:

Arnot-Roberts Clary Ranch
Bohème Wines Que Syrah Vineyard

Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w · June 3, 2009, 8:28pm

Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out. I’m always ready to try more of these types of wines.

Jared_Wagner · June 3, 2009, 8:37pm

Brad S w a l l o w:

Jared Wagner:

Brad S w a l l o w:

Yes, but of course now his last name appears right after his first name, so people who come to this thread late will think we are smoking crack.

I do agree the Broken Stones is a good qpr at the price. Also, in response to Charlie’s observation a few posts up, I am also amazed at how far from overblown and alcoholic this wine seems. My usual preference in California Syrah is for the cool climate, higher acidity, lower alcohol style, but I could be satisfied with wine like this a great deal of the time (maybe even for breakfast, after considering Mr. London’s post).

It was pretty cool to be known by one name even it was for only like 2 hrs!

Brad, Which cool climate Cali syrahs are you a fan of? Big Basin? ESJ?

Haven’t tried either but intend to. The higher altitude, cooler climate sites from Pax and Copain are appealing to me.

Big fan of Copain here. Have thoroughly enjoyed the James Berry, Gary’s, and Hawkes Butte.

Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w · June 4, 2009, 12:56am

I remember reading your note on the 2006 jbv – a velvet track suit was involved as I recall. The jbv is a warm climate example of Copain that I also enjoy. I really like Hawkes Butte.