2016 Saxum, 4 Hearts Vineyard, Paso Robles Willow Creek, Bottle (750ml)

JD97 "Lots of cr�me de cassis, vanilla bean, smoke, and meaty notes emerge from the 2016 Four Hearts Vineyard, a California beauty offering powerful, full-bodied, sexy aromas and flavors, gorgeous tannins, no hard edges, and a finish that won�t quit. Based on 66% Petite Sirah and 34% Tempranillo that�s sourced from dry-farmed, old head-trained vines, if this doesn�t put a smile on your face, you might be dead. Drink bottles over the coming 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."JD Oct 2019

VM96 "Deep, bright-rimmed violet. Powerful red and blue fruit, lavender oil, Asian spices and incense on the expansive nose, along with a smoky mineral nuance that builds with air. Sappy, energetic and finely etched, offering palate-staining raspberry and blueberry preserve, cherry-cola and floral pastille flavors that convey a suave blend of depth and energy. Displays sharp focus and floral lift on an impressively long, subtly tannic finish that leaves behind notes of candied blue fruits and spicecake." JR for VM Feb 2020