2018 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard | Adelaida District AVA, Paso Robles California 750ml

OK, I'm going to lead off this descriptor by saying this 2018 version is way more structured than the '17. It is a phenomenal wine, but it is going to need some time to chill. This wine, like the G2 and James Berry, was brought up in partial foudre (3000 Liter neutral oak cask), but because the Heart Stone is considerably smaller, it sees a higher proportion of foudre. So there are some tradeoffs going on. With less barrel influence the vineyard and its fruit get to be front and center. I love it, but prepare yourself for less oak influence. As for the wine descriptors, my wife Heather described it best, saying it was like a perfectly cooked steak, char, black pepper and blood. 533 cases produced. | Justin Smith for Saxum

A rich, powerful wine... the 2018 Heart Stone Vineyard's deep purple color is followed by killer notes of red and black currants, peppery herbs, loamy soil, and assorted meaty, spicy notes. It has a Rhone-like spicy, meaty, savory character yet packs gorgeous purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, and sweet, polished tannins that are pure Paso Robles... | 98 points, Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com

Glass-staining purple. Powerfully scented ripe dark fruit, potpourri, incense and olive paste qualities on the nose, along with a smoky mineral flourish that builds as the wine opens up. Boasts superb depth as well as energy and displays sharp definition to the sweet blackberry, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and candied violet flavors, which are sharpened by a jolt of spicy black pepper. Shows distinctly rich yet nervy character, delivering sharp focus, youthfully chewy tannins and a wonderfully long, dark fruit-dominated finish. | 97 points, Josh Raynolds for Vinous