2016 Broken Stones Syrah

The 2016 Broken Stones is a blend of 52% Syrah, 18% Mataro, 10% Grenache, 10% Tempranillo, 8% Petite Sirah and 2% Roussanne, from the James Berry, G2 and Paderewski vineyards. The wine was made with 8% whole cluster and aged 22 months in 51% new oak, 31% foudres and 13% amphorae. Medium to deep ruby in the glass, it's scented of black cherry coulis, roasted coffee beans, potpourri, dried rose petals, underbrush and hints of scorched earth and amaro. The medium to full-bodied palate is intense, savory and meaty in character with pure touches of chocolate mint, a firm and grainy frame with a touch of chew and great freshness, finishing long. 1,056 cases produced.

Brought up in foudre, amphora, and some new puncheons, the 2016 Broken Stones offers a deep, full-bodied, quintessential Paso Robles style that carries plenty of freshness and acidity, notes of black and blue fruits, smoked meats, violets, and ground pepper, polished tannins, and a monster of a finish. A blend of 51% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre, 13% Grenache, and the rest Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, and Roussanne, it’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 15 years or more. Saxum’s Justin Smith has hit a home run with these recent vintages, and his 2015s, 2016s, 2017s, and 2018s all have singular styles, with the quality remaining sky-high. The 2018s show the slightly more pure, fresh, yet concentrated style of the vintage nicely. While not yet bottled, these will offer pleasure in their youth as well as benefit from short term cellaring. The 2017s are more pretty, perfumed wines that don’t quite have the density of the 2016s yet certainly don’t lack for fruit. Most are already drinking nicely today, yet as with all great wines, they’re going to evolve gracefully. Lastly, the 2016s are some of the greatest wines I’ve tasted from this estate, and they offer massive, layered, yet impeccably balanced profiles that are a joy to drink today; they’ll also be a joy to drink in 10-15 years as well. As I’ve written more than once, there are few mailing lists worth being one, but without a doubt, this is one of them.