United States · California

Saxum

Saxum Vineyards, founded by James Berry and Justin Smith in 2002 in Paso Robles, became one of the benchmark producers for California's Central Coast Rhone-variety wines. The James Berry Vineyard, which the family has farmed since the 1980s, sits on calcareous soils and volcanic basalt on the west side of Paso Robles—dramatically different from the clay-dominant east side—producing wines of unusual mineral complexity for Central Coast Rhone blends. Justin Smith's flagship Broken Stones blends Syrah with Mourvedre, Grenache, and other Rhone varieties; the James Berry Vineyard red is the top single-vineyard expression. At auction, 753 lots average $144 per bottle with a ceiling of $1,195. The 2009 vintage is the top auction year. Saxum is best known for receiving multiple perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker, which drove initial auction price spikes and sustained collector interest. The estate also produces a rare James Berry Vineyard White and the Rocket Block from a specific parcel within the property.