2016 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard

The 2016 Heartstone is another sensational wine from this vintage, and it's also one of the more upfront and approachable in the lineup from Smith. Based on 51% Grenache, 27% Syrah, 13% Mataro, and the rest Petite Sirah and Touriga Nacional, it offers a complex bouquet of black raspberries, Christmas spice, herbes de Provence, and blood orange. Beautifully textured, seamless, and silky, this beauty doesn't put a foot wrong, has no hard edges, and is just a glorious drink. While it's already showing beautifully, it's going to evolve nicely for 10-15 years. This report looks mostly at the 2016s from undeniable superstar winemaker, Justin Smith. Smith is one of the pioneers of the Paso Robles wine scene yet remains as humble and accessible as ever. Speaking about the 2016s, these are the strongest set of releases since the 2007s, and I suspect at maturity these wines will be even better. They have a rare sense of depth and richness paired with purity and precision, as well as singular characters, and these truly are special wines. The 2016 James Berry is quite possibly the greatest wine ever produced from the region and is a legendary wine in the making. Do whatever you can to latch onto a few bottles of this magical elixir. The majority of the 2016s will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age, but good luck keeping your hands off of them. The 2017s are similarly styled, yet they have slightly more elegance and approachability compared to the denser, richer 2016s. I suspect these will continue to put on weight as well with additional time in barrel. As I’ve said in the past, there are few mailing lists worth staying on in today wine world; this is one of them.

Deep ruby. Mineral-tinged dark berry, star anise, cola, licorice and floral oil qualities on the explosively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated, expansive flavors of black currant, cherry liqueur, spicecake, smoked meat and candied flowers are complicated by licorice candy and bitter chocolate notes that build on the back half. Sweet, sappy and focused on the floral-driven finish, which shows outstanding delineation and youthfully chewy tannins that build steadily and harmoniously.