Justin Smith
2016 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 76% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 6% Mataró, 6% Petite Sirah, 4% Tempranillo
Production: 230 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of Saxum Vineyards owner and... winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,200 / Case£240 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,460.64 / Case, £292.13 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2017 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 60% Zinfandel, 15% Mourvèdre, 9% Grenache, 7% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah, 2% Tannat, 1% Viognier
Production: 560 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of Saxum... Vineyards owner and winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,100 / Case£220 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,340.64 / Case, £268.13 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 38% Zinfandel, 30% Mataro, 16% Grenache, 6% Counoise, 6% Graciano, 3% Syrah, 1% Petite Sirah
Vintage production: 600 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of... Saxum Vineyards owner and winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,150 / Case£230 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,399.86 / Case, £279.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2017 Saxum, The Hexe, Paso Robles 1x75cl
Blend: 58% Grenache, 27% Mataro, 11% Petite Sirah, 4% Tempranillo
Vintage production: 1,098 cases
Hexe is a remarkable, multi-vineyard cuvée that is built around Grenache. Not just any old Grenache... though. Justin Smith selects the blackest, most wicked Grenaches, the ones that he knows will benefit from 33 months aging in various large puncheons or concrete amphora.
The heart of this cuvée is the oldest block at James Berry Vineyard, a South facing hilltop Grenache block that was planted in 1980. Around this he weaves in some of the most intense Grenache and Mataro blocks from G2 Vineyard, along with a bit of Petite Sirah from Paderewski Vineyard. It is the dark side of Grenache. Black magic!
£190 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £232.04 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2017 Saxum, James Berry, Paso Robles 1x75cl
Blend: 55% Grenache, 29% Mataro, 13% Syrah, 3% Carignan
Vintage production: 1,102 cases
Surrounding the winery, the James Berry Vineyard is Saxum’s Jewel in The Crown and has been considered... hallowed ground by winemakers for nearly two decades.
The secret to epic wines produced here is the remarkable and unique terroir. It is located 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean with an average elevation of 365 metres, and consists of a series of steep slopes with shallow clay loam topsoil covering an ancient seabed, complete with fossilized shells and sharks teeth.
Saxum's James Berry Vineyard was Paso’s first 100-point (RP) wine in 2007, and is one of the most sought-after labels among California’s great Rhône blends.
£160 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £195.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Saxum, James Berry, Paso Robles 1x75cl
Blend: 64% Grenache, 16% Mataro, 14% Syrah, 6% Carignan
Vintage production: 1,418 cases
Surrounding the winery, the James Berry Vineyard is Saxum’s Jewel in The Crown and has been considered... hallowed ground by winemakers for nearly two decades.
The secret to epic wines produced here is the remarkable and unique terroir. It is located 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean with an average elevation of 365 metres, and consists of a series of steep slopes with shallow clay loam topsoil covering an ancient seabed, complete with fossilized shells and sharks teeth.
Saxum's James Berry Vineyard was Paso’s first 100-point (RP) wine in 2007, and is one of the most sought-after labels among California’s great Rhône blends.
£155 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £190.07 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Saxum, G2 Vineyard, Paso Robles 1x75cl
£135 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £166.13 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Saxum, James Berry, Paso Robles 1x75cl
£135 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £166.04 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Saxum, James Berry Vineyard White, Paso Robles 1x75cl
£135 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £166.04 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Saxum, Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles 1x75cl
Blend: 48% Syrah, 21% Mataro, 18% Zinfandel, 7% Graciano, 6% Tempranillo
Vintage Production: 655 cases
£135 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £165.89 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2017 Saxum, Broken Stones, Paso Robles 1x75cl
Blend: 66% Syrah, 16% Grenache, 14% Petite Sirah, 4% Mataro
Vintage production: 1,160 cases
£140 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £171.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days