JEB DUNNUCK 98 POINTS - "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."
"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."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 97 POINTS - "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."
"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."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 97 POINTS - "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."