Saxum Vineyards : Broken Stones 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Broken Stones 2021 from Saxum Vineyards

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep, almost opaque color, reflecting its concentration and aging potential.

Nose

The nose reveals generous floral notes of violet and rose petal, interwoven with polished black-fruit aromas and savory nuances. Hints of dark chocolate, stewed plum and cinnamon round out this complex, harmonious bouquet.

Palate

The palate is full and concentrated, while maintaining remarkable balance and fine elegance. Intense flavors of crushed stone and minerality mingle with ripe berries, licorice, black pepper and subtle oak influences. The lingering tannins—fine yet enveloping—are beautifully framed by aging in new barrels. The finish is precise and airy, with a juiciness that invites another sip.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with lamb, whether simply grilled or prepared in a more elaborate way such as a Moroccan pistachio-and-cinnamon pastilla, lamb liver skewers, or beef cheek braised in red wine.

Serving and cellaring

Broken Stones 2021 benefits from a few hours of aeration before serving to reveal its full complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until around 2040.

A powerful, mineral Paso Robles wine by Saxum Vineyards

The estate

Founded in 2000 by Justin Smith, Saxum Vineyards has established itself as one of the most prestigious producers in California. The estate spans 75 hectares in Paso Robles’ Willow Creek District, around 16 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. Justin Smith, who grew up in the family vineyard planted by his parents in 1980, now runs the property alongside his son, Colin. In 2009, Saxum became the first Paso Robles estate to receive a 100-point score from Robert Parker. The name “Saxum,” meaning “rock” in Latin, reflects the deep identity of this vineyard with its exceptional limestone soils. The estate practices organic viticulture across all its parcels.

The vineyard

Broken Stones 2021 is made from a blend of several vineyards located in Paso Robles. The vines benefit from shallow, rocky limestone soils resting on an ancient seabed rich in fossils. Located about 16 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean and at an average altitude of 365 meters, the estate’s James Berry vineyard enjoys refreshing maritime influences. Steep slopes and stony soils encourage deep root penetration and a natural concentration of the grapes. The estate practices organic and regenerative farming, without the use of synthetic chemical products.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage was marked by a mild winter followed by clement spring conditions that encouraged flowering in late May. June and July were particularly rainy, followed by weather instability from mid-July to mid-August. Despite these climatic challenges, the grapes reached optimal ripeness, producing balanced, concentrated wines.

Winemaking and aging

Broken Stones 2021 was vinified with 30% whole clusters, a technique that adds aromatic complexity and tannic structure. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, 75% of which were new 225-liter barrels—the highest proportion of new oak used across the entire Saxum range. The wine was never racked off its lees during this aging period. It was bottled without fining or filtration, thus preserving all its complexity.

Grape varieties

Syrah (54%)
Mataro (24%)
Graciano (20%)
Petite Sirah (2%)