2020 Saxum, James Berry, White, Paso Robles, Bottle (750ml)

JD96 " I'd put the 2020 James Berry Vineyard White up with the top Rhône whites in California. Based on 53% Grenache Blanc, 29% Roussanne, 15% Chenin Blanc, and a splash of Chardonnay, it packs an incredible amount of richness and depth while staying balanced, silky, and light on its feet. Ripe orchard fruits, toasted spice, brioche, and chalky mineral notes all define the aromatics, and it's full-bodied, with a focused, elegant, concentrated mouthfeel and a gorgeous finish.The 2020s from Saxum are solid wines, although there are subtle signs of smoke in a few of the wines, and in general, the wines are narrower and more focused than normal, yet still nicely concentrated. At a high level, I think these are good to outstanding wines that will offer pleasure. Clearly the 2021s are a step up, and this is another brilliant vintage for winemaker Justin Smith." JD Aug 2023

Jeb Dunnuck writes, " While the 2020 James Berry Vineyard White hasn't been bottled yet, I was nevertheless blown away, and I suspect it will be one of the finest whites to come from the region. Sporting a medium gold hue as well as a full-bodied, deep, rich, concentrated profile, it has a heavenly bouquet of white stone fruits, toasted bread, honeysuckle, and white flowers. You could safely put this awesome wine up against the finest whites coming out of the Rhône Valley today." BT 97-99 Published: Sep 2022