Saxum Vineyards : Broken Stones 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Broken Stones 2020 from Saxum Vineyards

Tasting

Nose

The nose is deep and fragrant, revealing aromas of dark and blue fruit, notably black cherries and blueberries. Peppery, savory notes mingle with hints of violet flowers. With aeration, the bouquet expands with nuances of heather, a mineral character reminiscent of crushed stone, roasted herbs, and a range of spices.

Palate

On the palate, this wine is powerful and full-bodied, while maintaining remarkable purity, concentration, and complexity. The texture charms with its polished, refined character, carried by soft, supple, ripe tannins. The balance between richness and acidity is striking. The finish is long and lingering, with notes of crushed stone, licorice, and spices.

Food and wine pairings

This wine will pair perfectly with grilled red meats, game in sauce, or slow-cooked dishes with aromatic herbs.

Serving and cellaring

Broken Stones 2020 can be enjoyed now and through around 2033.

A powerful, refined Paso Robles wine from California by Saxum Vineyards

The estate

Saxum Vineyards was founded in 2000 by Justin Smith and his wife Heather in the Paso Robles region of California. The estate quickly established itself as one of the region’s most prestigious producers, notably earning the first perfect score ever awarded to a Paso Robles wine in 2009. Justin Smith, a visionary winemaker and sought-after consultant, now leads the estate with a philosophy centered on balance, purity, and the authentic expression of terroir. The property now spans several parcels, including the family’s James Berry Vineyard as well as recently acquired sites at Cayucos Ridge and York Mountain.

The vineyard

Broken Stones 2020 is a multi-site blend sourced from different vineyards in Paso Robles. The historic heart of the estate, the James Berry Vineyard, lies in the Willow Creek district, about 18 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. Planted at 400 meters above sea level on steep slopes, this vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir of clay-limestone soils over an ancient seabed rich in limestone and fractured schist containing fossilized shells. Ocean breezes bring welcome afternoon freshness, allowing optimal physiological ripening while preserving the grapes’ natural acidity. Vineyard work is entirely organic and manual, without pesticides or herbicides, with harvesting done by hand.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage proved particularly challenging in California due to devastating wildfires that affected many winegrowing regions. In Paso Robles, early harvests—encouraged by low vine vigor resulting from limited rainfall at the start of the season—enabled many producers to pick their grapes before the most significant smoke exposure. Saxum made it through this delicate period relatively well, although a few barrels were excluded from the final blend as a precaution.

Winemaking and aging

Broken Stones 2020 was made following the minimalist approach dear to Justin Smith. The grapes, harvested by hand, were co-fermented in carefully selected combinations to bring balance and natural acidity. The wine was never racked off its lees during aging, a practice intended to protect the integrity and texture of the fruit while preserving natural acidity. Aging lasted 18 to 20 months, primarily in new French oak barrels, with a calibrated use of new oak to allow the fruit and minerality to fully express themselves. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration.

Grape varieties

Syrah (57%), Grenache (13%), Graciano (11%), Tempranillo (10%), Petite Sirah (6%), Zinfandel (3%)