2022 Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Rocket Block James Berry Vineyard contains a lower percentage of Grenache this year, due to the high proportion of Mataro added during fermentation to balance the high sugar and high acid profile of Grenache in this harvest. It opens with a lush, red-fruited nose, complemented by dried flower, wet clay and lavender aromas, followed by a full-bodied, concentrated and punchy profile that characterizes this bottling, while retaining remarkable lift and dexterity. The finish is lively and impressively refined, cascading with layers of vibrant acidity, slowly swelling tannins and retronasal perfume. Despite the unmistakable power contained here, I find this to be an uncommonly elegant expression of the 2022 vintage. Composed of 54% Grenache, 38% Mataro, 4% Syrah and 4% Counoise, it matured for 32 months in 73% new 300-liter barrels with 22% stem inclusion.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Rocket Block, based on 54% Grenache, 38% Mataro, 4% Syrah, and 4% Counoise aged 32 months in French oak, shows a ruby/plum hue and offers a perfumed, exotic nose of blackberries, kirsch liqueur, peppery garrigue, graphite, and exotic flowers. These carry to a full-bodied, seamless, opulent palate with incredibly polished tannins, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and a great finish. Despite its richness and concentration, it stays light on its feet and does everything right. Drink 2025-2040. I’ve been raving about the wines from Justin Smith’s Saxum estate for close to two decades now, and at times I feel like a broken record. That said, the quality this family consistently delivers is jaw-dropping year after year. I don’t recommend many mailing lists, but this is certainly one to be on. Looking at the 2023s, the wines are brilliant across the board. They reflect the longer, cooler style of the vintage while staying true to form, with serious richness and depth. The 2022s are much more open and expressive, showing the sunny personality of the year. They still have plenty of structure, and I suspect they’ll age beautifully. It’s also worth noting that as Cayucos Ridge continues to come online, Justin is moving more and more toward estate-only fruit. As a result, 2023 will be the final vintage for both Heart Stone and Paderewski. He’s still holding onto a bit of G2 fruit, but we’ll see how long that lasts. At the same time, a new cuvée called The Old Blocks will replace the former Hexe release, although it will no longer include any G2 fruit.
The 2022 Rocket Block opens with a perfumed cascade of geraniums and violets, complemented by sugar-dusted blueberries and a hint of cocoa as it evolves in the glass. Freshly styled, it offers cooling acidity and wild berry fruits laced with floral notes. The palate is saturated and tense, with a tinge of edgy tannins that tug at the cheeks. Rocket Block was picked completely after the heat wave, with a large amount of triage performed in the vineyard and cellar to identify the best fruit.