2023 Saxum G2
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Tasting notes
A delightful and compelling blend of vibrancy and richness, the 2023 G2 Vineyard features a higher proportion of Grenache than usual, along with a significantly lower percentage of stems, which make up just 2% of the finished wine. It begins with a dark-fruited, reserved note, gradually revealing a distinct floral aroma that rises above a lush, chocolate-tinged core and spice-driven accents. The palate enhances the site's typically powerful, cake-like texture with lively energy and overall subtlety, seamlessly moving into a soaring, high-toned and chalky finish grounded by dark, roasted notes that echo the spice-driven qualities of the nose. It's a blend of 72% Grenache, 13% Syrah, 6% Mataro, 5% Graciano and 4% Carignan that underwent a 22-month maturation in 75% new 300-liter barrique and 11% amphora.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Blackberries, cherries, peppery garrigue, and spicy, subtle meaty notes all emerge from the 2023 G2 Vineyard, a blend of 60% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, and 4% Graciano from the G2 Vineyard. It's medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure, and seamless on the palate, with a terrific sense of freshness, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish. This beauty picks up more and more floral and spicy, incense notes with time in the glass and was aged 22 months in 67% new French oak. I think one of the most exciting estates in Paso Robles today is Stanley Barrios and Elena Martinez’s TOP winery. It’s one of those American Dream stories where hard work and talent pays off. Stanley, once working a corporate job in L.A., became obsessed with Rhône varieties and began commuting regularly to Paso for harvest internships, sometimes driving up and back in a single day. In 2014, he released his first wine, Exert, while still working his day job. By 2017, he took the plunge full-time, moving to Paso and launching TOP with Elena by his side. Today, TOP operates out of a small warehouse on the east side of Paso, modest yet impeccably clean and absolutely sufficient to make world class wines. It’s the kind of space that proves great wine comes from attention and talent, not extravagance. Stanley handles winemaking with an intuitive, minimal-intervention style while Elena runs the business side of the operation. As you can see from the notes here, the lineup has grown considerably, and they now have access to some truly world class fruit from top vineyard sites across the Central Coast, including Paso Robles, Edna Valley, and Carneros. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc form the backbone of their lineup, and while these certainly don’t lack for richness and depth, these are not massive, blockbuster wines and they shine every bit for their complexity, nuances, and balance as much as density and depth. Nothing is out of place or forced, and these are absolutely brilliant wines readers should pounce on.
The 2023 G2 Vineyard is impossible to ignore, offering a vibrant blend of crushed blackberries, citrus zest, savory herbs and sage. Cool-toned and collected, it presents crisp wild berry fruits and mineral tones elevated by a zing of zesty acidity. Wonderfully perfumed and long, the 2023 features edgy tannins that frame the finish as blue and purple inner florals fade slowly. A simply stunning interpretation of the G2 Vineyard.
About the producer
Founded in 2002 by Justin and Heather Smith, Saxum Vineyards is a leading Paso Robles producer of Rhône-inspired wines. Limited to around 8,000 cases annually, the range includes Broken Stones, James Berry Vineyard, Bone Rock and Rocket Block.