I love Saxum, they are certainly one of my top favorite wineries.  But, over the years, their styles have changed.  Presumably, that has been consistent with owner/winemaker Justin Smith's preferences changing.  For my tastes, 2012 was another year of change in styles.  The wines became a bit more intense and need a decade to really strut their stuff.  That said, with a bit of air, this one was delicious at six years from vintage.  Deep purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, leather, roasted meat and black pepper.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  It is packed with delic

My first time trying this winery and I was very impressed though it had issues.  Golden in color, with a slightly green hue to it.  The nose smelled like fireworks or gun powder.  I lovve that smell but it was a bit controversial.  It also had a sweaty, wet wool sock note to it.  In short, there seems to be a lot of sulfur showing here not too unlike how JJ Prums used to show a decade or so ago when the wines were young.  None of that bothered me personally.  There is also some lemon and wet rocks.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  None of the sulfur carries thru to the palate.  Lem

Of course, this is young and tight, but this is really a great wine with plenty of upside to show.  Light golden in color.  What a great nose.  it took some time to open and then, wow.  Earthy with lemons and wet rocks.  Deep and complex.  On the palate, this is dry.  Unlike some dry Rieslings, this doesn't even have a perception of sweetness.  The earthiness it has it very interesting.  Also layers of lemons and wet rocks.  Great balance.  Long finish.  While drinking well now, this should be laid down for at least a few years.  If you are going to drink now, give it plenty of air.  

This is a nice value red from the Rioja region of Spain.   It retails for around $16 which is a great price for a nice red.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  On the palate, there are cherries and some tobacco.  Slight tannins.  Good balance.  There is some depth/complexity here but this is not a wine to be aged.  That said, if well stored it should be good for at least five more years.  Works well with a wide variety of food.  

This is a Rose wine from the region of Montsant in Spain.  It is made from Garnacha (Grenache) grapes.  An interesting color; sort of electric pale pink.  Pretty.  The nose has scents of celery and cherries which is nice.  On the palate, this is light bodied and very easy to drink.  Refreshing.  This is not a fruit bomb.  This retails for under $15 and provides a nice value at that price.  Affordable for summer get togethers.  

Light pink/orange in color.  The nose has some slight watermelon and a bit of grapefruits.  This is an easy, light rose on the palate.  Refreshing notes of cherries and some cinnamon.  Around $16, this is nice for a party.  

Kendall Jackson makes a lot of wine at all price levels.  One of the more remarkable things is how consistent they are on their value wines.  To make wine in that kind of quantity and be that consistent shows a great attention to detail.  This wine retails for around $16.  75% Pinot Noir, 23% Syrah, 2% Grenache.  Light salmon in color.  The nose is really nice.  Expressive and enjoyable notes of watermelon with slight strawberries.  With air a slight minty scent is there.  On the palate, this is more about cherries and "red berries".  Not as pronounced as the nose.  It does have good acidit

Salmon pink in color.  The nose is very nice with watermelon, slight celery note and with air, a bit or rhubarb.  Not under ripe though.  On the palate, there are some slight cherry notes on the attack.  Watermelon on the mid-palate and finishing with some strawberry notes.  Not a ton of acidity but some.  Works fine with lighter foods but make a great refreshing drink on the patio.  There is some complexity here as well.  This is an equal blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Shiraz and Mourvedre.  It is dry.  Retails for under $20 making this well priced.  Probably should be drunk by 2020.  

This is a project from former baseball manager Tommy Lasorda.  I was a bit skeptical about it but this is good.  It retails for around $20 which makes this a great bargain in the world of California Chardonnay as well.  Pop and pour, it drank well although did improve for the first 30 minutes or so before plateauing until the bottle was emptied.   Light gold/green in color.  The nose is nice with grapefruit and slight vanilla.  Neutral oak barrels were used but there are some very pleasant oak remnants if light.  With air some green apples pop out as well.  On the palate, this has nice acid

This bottle was opened and decanted for a few hours.  Still young but really blossoming.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is gorgeous with cherries, roses, slight tar and slight dried cherries.  On the palate, this has great cherry fruit.  Light tannins.  Layers of fruit, earth and dry forest floor.  Complex.  Long finish.  Good acidity.  Better with food.  This continued to improve for the 2 hours or so it was opened.  Still some upside but a great Barolo.