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The November 2026 Auction: Part 1
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1 / 2Lot 1158
Estimate: $125
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Collection name
Reviews
97-99JD
"Not yet bottled, the 2019 James Berry Vineyard will be a blend of 58% Grenache, 27% Mourvèdre, 6% each of Syrah and Graciano, and the rest Counoise. It has a vivid purple hue as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of kirsch, blackberries, lavender, violets, and pepper. Possessing off-the-charts purity, ripe, silky tannins, and flawless balance, itâs another example of this cuvĂŠe thatâs going to just about top out the scale. One of Californiaâs unquestionably superstar estates is Heather and Justin Smithâs Saxum Vineyards, and you wonât find any finer examples of RhĂ´ne variety wines anywhere in the world. The proprietors of James Berry Vineyard, located in the cooler Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, the Smiths have seen incredible changes over the past decade, and theyâve traded their small, old-fashioned, yet perfectly adequate cellar for a brand-new cave and state of the art winemaking facility. And while changes of this magnitude can often result in hiccups in either the style or quality of the wines, thatâs certainly not the case here. I think the wines have never been better, and given the scores Iâve awarded in the past, thatâs saying something. Today, the Smiths release multiple cuvĂŠes, and while the focus in the past might have been the estate James Berry Vineyard, the portfolio includes numerous new vineyard sources and cuvĂŠes, most focusing on single vineyards and even specific blocks inside of a vineyard. This report looks at the 2018s and 2019s, and in a nutshell, these wines epitomize what I consider greatness in wine; the ability to offer both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure; intensity and richness without heaviness or any sensation of weight; singular profiles; and the ability to improve with bottle age. In addition, the purity and precision this estate can achieve are incredible, and certainly, many estates and winemakers in Paso Robles need to be tasting these wines to understand why theyâre great and what is possible from these incredible limestone soils. As a critic, itâs always a challenge to try and understand why wines show differently and why one estate can produce brilliant wines and others struggle. Given the prodigious wines the Smiths release year in and year out from different vineyards (and now even from different winemaking facilities), itâs become increasingly apparent that the quality coming from Saxum is due to the genius of Justin Smith. After being lucky enough to taste these wines every year for well over a decade now, I can say that no one in California does RhĂ´ne varieties and blends better. Iâve written this many times in the past, but Iâll say it again, this is one of the few mailing lists worth being on."
Region
Red
Country
Score
"Not yet bottled, the 2019 James Berry Vineyard will be a blend of 58% Grenache, 27% Mourvèdre, 6% each of Syrah and Graciano, and the rest Counoise. It has a vivid purple hue as well as full-bodied aromas and flavors of kirsch, blackberries, lavender, violets, and pepper. Possessing off-the-charts purity, ripe, silky tannins, and flawless balance, itâs another example of this cuvĂŠe thatâs going to just about top out the scale. One of Californiaâs unquestionably superstar estates is Heather and Justin Smithâs Saxum Vineyards, and you wonât find any finer examples of RhĂ´ne variety wines anywhere in the world. The proprietors of James Berry Vineyard, located in the cooler Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, the Smiths have seen incredible changes over the past decade, and theyâve traded their small, old-fashioned, yet perfectly adequate cellar for a brand-new cave and state of the art winemaking facility. And while changes of this magnitude can often result in hiccups in either the style or quality of the wines, thatâs certainly not the case here. I think the wines have never been better, and given the scores Iâve awarded in the past, thatâs saying something. Today, the Smiths release multiple cuvĂŠes, and while the focus in the past might have been the estate James Berry Vineyard, the portfolio includes numerous new vineyard sources and cuvĂŠes, most focusing on single vineyards and even specific blocks inside of a vineyard. This report looks at the 2018s and 2019s, and in a nutshell, these wines epitomize what I consider greatness in wine; the ability to offer both hedonistic and intellectual pleasure; intensity and richness without heaviness or any sensation of weight; singular profiles; and the ability to improve with bottle age. In addition, the purity and precision this estate can achieve are incredible, and certainly, many estates and winemakers in Paso Robles need to be tasting these wines to understand why theyâre great and what is possible from these incredible limestone soils. As a critic, itâs always a challenge to try and understand why wines show differently and why one estate can produce brilliant wines and others struggle. Given the prodigious wines the Smiths release year in and year out from different vineyards (and now even from different winemaking facilities), itâs become increasingly apparent that the quality coming from Saxum is due to the genius of Justin Smith. After being lucky enough to taste these wines every year for well over a decade now, I can say that no one in California does RhĂ´ne varieties and blends better. Iâve written this many times in the past, but Iâll say it again, this is one of the few mailing lists worth being on."
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The fourth-largest wine producer in the world, led by California. American fine wine is defined by ripe, expressive fruit and a spirit of innovation, with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon among the most sought-after wines globally.
Paso Robles is a diverse wine region in northern San Luis Obispo County on California's Central Coast. Established in 1983, the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area spans rolling inland hills, river valleys and the eastern slopes of the Santa Lucia Range. Warm days, cool nights and Pacific breezes moving through gaps in the coastal mountains help shape a broad range of wine styles. Cabernet Sauvignon is a leading variety, alongside Merlot and other Bordeaux grapes. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre underpin the region's celebrated Rhône-style reds, while Zinfandel holds an important place in its winegrowing heritage. White varieties including Viognier and Roussanne add further diversity. Single-variety bottlings share the stage with blends that reflect Paso Robles winemakers' willingness to work across regional traditions. Eleven nested appellations reveal the area's differences in elevation, exposure, rainfall and soils. These include Adelaida District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District and Templeton Gap District. Calcareous marine deposits, sandy loams and alluvial soils contribute to a varied vineyard landscape, so a wine's character depends on its particular site as well as its grape variety and winemaking. Paso Robles offers a distinctive combination of California sunshine, coastal influence and regional individuality.
A late-ripening red lending structure, dark fruit and gamey, meaty complexity to southern Rhone and Mediterranean blends.
Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a red grape valued for deep color, dark-fruit flavors and a savory, spicy character. Blackberry and plum are common, often accompanied by violet, black pepper and smoked-meat notes. Its wines range from fragrant, medium-bodied expressions to rich, full-bodied reds, with structure and texture shaped by climate, vineyard site and winemaking. France's northern Rhône Valley is a benchmark for Syrah, with appellations such as Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage and Cornas showcasing its aromatic complexity and structure. In Australia, where it is usually labeled Shiraz, the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale are known for generous fruit and depth, while cooler regions can produce more restrained, peppery styles. The two names refer to the same grape and do not by themselves guarantee a particular style. Syrah is made both on its own and in blends, including combinations with Grenache and Mourvèdre. Some producers also co-ferment it with a little Viognier. Structured examples can develop additional savory complexity with age, while many wines are crafted for enjoyment in their youth. This combination of fruit, spice and versatility gives Syrah a distinctive identity across a wide range of regions and styles.