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Saxum Vineyards Heart Stone Vineyard Syrah Blend 2010
Limited new release from Saxum97 Points Robert Parker: "The 2010 Heart Stone Vineyard opens with a dark, brooding nose redolent of smoke, tar, incense and licorice. Elements of dark, inward fruit continue to build in the glass. There is an exotic element in the Heart Stone that is undeniably appealing. Layers of fruit crescendo to the huge, towering finish. The 2010 is 51% Syrah and 49% Grenache aged in small new French oak barrels, an approach that works extremely well here. Justin Smith seems to know exactly what each of his wines needs. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2020."
Ratings on Delectable
V M
Nice cold weather wine. Big and bold. I can chew this wine. Lots of raspberry notes.
Nice cold weather wine. Big and bold. I can chew this wine. Lots of raspberry notes.
9.1
David T 
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
On the the nose, grilled meats, soy, mint, menthol, black currants, dry blackberries, blue fruits, black plum, dark spice and decayed dark florals. The mouthfeel is full, rich, ripe that starts juicy and slowly dries across the palate. Fruits are the much like the nose. There's a good presence of tarriness, deep-dark Asian-Indian spices, dry stems, leather, pepper, wood shavings, menthol, mint & herbaceousness. Then, the fruits start to differentiate themselves on the longer plate set; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries, mocha powder, caramel, crushed dry rocks, graphite, soy, grilled meats, dry decayed floral bouquet, violets & black cherry cola. The earth still outshines the fruits. The structure is still big. The elegant stingy finish swirls of everything above quite simultaneously on a long rich high acid finish. Still needs 5+ years. Photos of the the heart stone, vines of the "Heart Stone Vinyard" and those beautiful Paso Syrah grapes at harvest. The Heart Stone Vineyard is in the Paso Robles Adelaide AVA with a 30 acre oak forest on a hill and 8 acres planted to Rhone varietals. It was planted by John and Mary Swanson in 2000. They hired Justin Smith (Winemaker/Owner Saxum Winery) to select the property and plant the vineyard. He agreed on the condition he could take all the grapes. 2003 was the first vintage of Saxum Heart Stone. The high density blocks are planted on gentle South slopes of limestone and shale. It has 8 different clones of Syrah, 5 of Grenache and 2 Mourvedre.
On the the nose, grilled meats, soy, mint, menthol, black currants, dry blackberries, blue fruits, black plum, dark spice and decayed dark florals. The mouthfeel is full, rich, ripe that starts juicy and slowly dries across the palate. Fruits are the much like the nose. There's a good presence of tarriness, deep-dark Asian-Indian spices, dry stems, leather, pepper, wood shavings, menthol, mint & herbaceousness. Then, the fruits start to differentiate themselves on the longer plate set; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries, mocha powder, caramel, crushed dry rocks, graphite, soy, grilled meats, dry decayed floral bouquet, violets & black cherry cola. The earth still outshines the fruits. The structure is still big. The elegant stingy finish swirls of everything above quite simultaneously on a long rich high acid finish. Still needs 5+ years. Photos of the the heart stone, vines of the "Heart Stone Vinyard" and those beautiful Paso Syrah grapes at harvest. The Heart Stone Vineyard is in the Paso Robles Adelaide AVA with a 30 acre oak forest on a hill and 8 acres planted to Rhone varietals. It was planted by John and Mary Swanson in 2000. They hired Justin Smith (Winemaker/Owner Saxum Winery) to select the property and plant the vineyard. He agreed on the condition he could take all the grapes. 2003 was the first vintage of Saxum Heart Stone. The high density blocks are planted on gentle South slopes of limestone and shale. It has 8 different clones of Syrah, 5 of Grenache and 2 Mourvedre.
9.3
Levi Glenn
One of the more restrained offerings I've tried from this producer, likely due to the vintage. Was ripe, but not massive. Decent acid which was also a nice surprise. Could I say a balanced Rhone blend from Paso?
One of the more restrained offerings I've tried from this producer, likely due to the vintage. Was ripe, but not massive. Decent acid which was also a nice surprise. Could I say a balanced Rhone blend from Paso?
9.1
Neil Shah
Really balanced out with age
Really balanced out with age
9.5
Joseph Barsky
2010 Vintage. 15.7% Alcohol. 51% Syrah, 49% Grenache. Corked
2010 Vintage. 15.7% Alcohol. 51% Syrah, 49% Grenache. Corked
6.1Joseph Barsky
Tar, licorice, and blueberry. Yum. Thanks Rob!
Tar, licorice, and blueberry. Yum. Thanks Rob!
9.3V M
Warm and inviting aroma of strawberries and bramble. This is dark and brooding Syrah/Grenache blend with notes or meat drippings, dark cherry and a limestone finish
Warm and inviting aroma of strawberries and bramble. This is dark and brooding Syrah/Grenache blend with notes or meat drippings, dark cherry and a limestone finish
9.5
Eric S
Don't drink enough of this stuff. Awesome nose of bacon, and sweetened cinnamon. Red fruit is very subdued with a high and tight tannic finish. This needed a loooong time to open. 4 hours in the bottle without a decant and still getting better with each glass.
Don't drink enough of this stuff. Awesome nose of bacon, and sweetened cinnamon. Red fruit is very subdued with a high and tight tannic finish. This needed a loooong time to open. 4 hours in the bottle without a decant and still getting better with each glass.
9.6
Daniel Taub
Big fruit. Plenty of fruit. In a very good spot
Big fruit. Plenty of fruit. In a very good spot
9.3
Berg
Think this might be sleeping like the 09 JBV...just seems muted
Think this might be sleeping like the 09 JBV...just seems muted
9.0
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