2017 Saxum, Heart Stone Vineyard, Paso Robles, Bottle (750ml)

JD97 "There was a single foudre of the 2017 Heart Stone Vineyard, which checks in as a blend of 50% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 14% Graciano, and the rest Petite Sirah and Touriga Nacional that was mostly destemmed. Showing even better from bottle than barrel, it offers a stunning nose of ripe blueberries, black raspberries, ground pepper, and violets. Full-bodied, rounded, and seamless on the palate, it has a beautiful sense of complexity and purity paired with serious depth of fruit and opulence on the palate. 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 "Vivid purple. Powerful dark berry, cherry pie, incense, potpourri, musky herb and spicecake aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up a smoky mineral flourish with aeration. Sweet and chewy on the palate, offering deeply concentrated but energetic blackberry, cherry preserve, five-spice powder and floral pastille flavors that are given lift and spine by a core of juicy acidity. Blends richness and finesse smoothly and finishes incredibly long and spicy, with youthfully firm tannins adding shape and final grip." JR for VM Feb 2020