Saxum Vineyards Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard 2021 750ml

A lush, sexy, forward beauty, the 2021 Heart Stone Vineyard is based on 31% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 21% Graciano, and the rest Mataro and Petite Sirah, with the blend shifting slightly due to replanting in the vineyard. As with all the ’21s here, it has a vivid purple hue as well as a great perfume of sweet red and blue fruits, spring flowers, ground pepper, and underbrush, but it’s on the palate where this beauty really shines. Layered, silky, and opulent, it’s not yet bottled, but my money is on this drinking nicely right out of the gate.

The 2020 Heart Stone Vineyard is seductive in the glass, with a blend of crushed raspberries, dried citrus peels, sweet spice and lavender. This is elegant and graceful on the palate, with a wonderful lift to its depths of tart wild berry fruit. Sour citrus and balsamic tones add further tension toward the close. The 2020 finishes structured and long with a resonance of violette candies that linger. This blend of 33% Graciano, 31% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 9% Mataro, 5% Touriga Nacional and 3% Petite Sirah is built for the cellar. (Eric Guido)

Densely structured and brooding, with deep blackberry and currant flavors laced with bitter chocolate, crushed stone and savory herbs as this builds tension toward full-bodied tannins. Hands off for now. Graciano, Grenache, Syrah, Mataro, Touriga Nacional and Petite Sirah. Best from 2025 through 2034. 686 cases made. (Tim Fish)

The 2020 Heart Stone Vineyard is outstanding and has terrific aromatics of smoky black fruits, ground pepper, grilled meats, and assorted spicy nuances. Based on 33% Graciano, 31% Grenache, 19% Syrah, 9% Mataro, 5% Touriga Nacional, and the rest Petite Sirah, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate, and the more focused, foursquare, firm style of the vintage on the palate. While it’s clearly not smoked, it is not at the same level as past vintages. (Jeb Dunnuck)