Saxum Broken Stones 2021

Always a non-vineyard designated Syrah blend, the 2021 Broken Stones combines 54% Syrah, 24% Mataro, 20% Graciano and 2% Petite Sirah. It was fermented with 30% stems and aged 22 months in 75% new 225-liter barrique, the highest portion of smaller barrels used in the Saxum roster due to its tannic levels. The nose opens with a lavish floral perfume and savory, polished, opaque fruit aromas. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated before catapulting into a clean, lifted, juicy finish of crushed stones and fine yet persistent, swelling tannins framed with pleasingly rounded new-oak influence. This reacted quickly to aeration and gained substantial length from the first pour, suggesting it is best left to unwind a few years in the cellar.

A whiff of savory herbs and earth tones, black olives, and musky currant smolders up from the 2021 Broken Stones. It is silky and round with supple red berry fruits complemented by cedary spices and rosy inner florals. The 2021 keeps the energy high while finishing staining and long with a liquid floral concentration, steeped plums and a pleasantly bitter tinge. While lovely today, this possesses the balance to age beautifully. This is the first vintage of Broken Stones that contains some of the new plantings of San Luis Obispo coast Syrah from Saxum's new vineyards.