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Saxum James Berry Vineyard Rocket Block 2021 750ml
OUT OF STOCK
Sample image only.Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.
SKU 970027
$234.95/bottle
Out of stock
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Incredible Châteauneuf du Pape-like notes of red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, leather, sandalwood, and graphite all soar from the 2021 Rocket Block, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated, layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This powerful, opulent yet flawlessly balanced beauty will evolve for 15+ years in cold cellars. All from the James Berry Vineyard, the blend is 70% Grenache, 15% Mataro, 11% Syrah, and 4% Counoise that was mostly destemmed and was aged 34 months in 32% new French 300-liter barrels.
Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.
Region
California
California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.
Appellation
San Luis Obispo
JD99pts
Jeb Dunnuck
Incredible Châteauneuf du Pape-like notes of red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, leather, sandalwood, and graphite all soar from the 2021 Rocket Block, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated, layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This powerful, opulent yet flawlessly balanced beauty will evolve for 15+ years in cold cellars. All from the James Berry Vineyard, the blend is 70% Grenache, 15% Mataro, 11% Syrah, and 4% Counoise that was mostly destemmed and was aged 34 months in 32% new French 300-liter barrels.
WA98pts
Wine Advocate
Composed of 70% Grenache, 15% Mataro, 11% Syrah and 4% Counoise, the 2021 Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard was raised 32 months in 34% new 300-liter barrels and used foudre. The nose is herbal, dark-fruited and elegant despite the apparent power coiled inside it, showing off aromas of resinous herbs, amaro, fruitcake and dark spice accents. The palate is simply gigantic, pulling no punches in its decadent, powerful richness that perplexingly remains tensile, agile and deft. The finish is fabulously decadent, lined with fine yet grippy tannins and graceful, elegant fruit flavors that pull off a soft landing despite the seemingly endless concentration behind them. This is an excellent example of Saxum's ability to produce wines that are equal parts powerful, graceful and balanced.
TWI98pts
The Wine Independent
The 2021 James Berry Vineyard Rocket Block is 70% Grenache, 15% Mataro, 11% Syrah, and 4% Counoise, matured for 32 months in larger 300-liter barrels and foudres. It saw about 34% new oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it thunders out with robust notes of boysenberry preserves, stewed plums, and blackberry pie, followed by hints of Chinese five spice, dried lavender, sandalwood, and black pepper. Full-bodied, the palate delivers a beautifully knit backbone of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness to frame the generous black fruit preserves flavors, finishing very long and fantastically fragrant.
WS96pts
Wine Spectator
A masterclass in balancing power and grace, this opens with savory tones of licorice, leather and garrigue, with a floral cast to the silky entry that quickly commands your attention. Shows a dense and mouthcoating core of blackberry and damson plum, while lingering traces of sandalwood and graphite underneath are buoyed by fresh acidity to keep things fresh. Finishes on a powerful note, with grippy tannins and details of baking spices. Grenache, Mataro, Syrah and Counoise. Drink now through 2042.
VM96pts
Vinous Media
The 2021 Rocket Block impresses with its lift and grace, displaying a dusting of sweet spice and dried flowers complemented by a hint of red currant. This is juicy and racy in style, with supple textures offset by mineral grip. Ripe red and black fruits penetrate the palate with primary concentration as a web of fine-grained tannins saturates the senses. The 2021 finishes tremendously long and floral, leaving behind a bitter tinge of tart blackberry. Patience is required.
