Saxum G2 Vineyard Red Blend Paso Robles 2018

Saxum Vineyards is focused on producing Grenache, Syrah, and Mataro based blends from the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. There you will find rocky, calcareous soils, steep hillsides, sunny days, and cooling ocean breezes that result in distinct Saxum wines with low yields, fruit picked at the peak of ripeness, and a minimalist approach in the cellar. Proprietor, Justin Smith, respects the land and farms everything sustainably without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. Production is kept at 5,000 – 6,000 cases per year divided between nine different bottlings: Broken Stones, James Berry Vineyard, G2 Vineyard, Bone Rock, Rocket Block, Booker Vineyard, Paderewski Vineyard, Heart Stone Vineyard, and Terry Hoage Vineyard.

Powerful notes of herbes de Provence, candied orange, violets, peppery spice, and both blue and black fruits dominate the bouquet of the 2018 G2 Vineyard. This full-bodied, deep, opulent 2018 has incredible purity of fruit, a seamless texture that's to die for, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. Based on 55% Grenache, 28% Mataro, 9% Syrah, and the rest Graciano, it's a borderline perfect wine that can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for a decade. This vineyard continues to produce some of the top wines in the vintage. 99pts, Jeb Dunnuck