2018 Saxum "Terry Hoage" Paso Robles Rhone Blend

“Based on 52% Grenache and 48% Syrah, the 2018 Terry Hoage Vineyard was brought up in a mix of French oak and concrete tanks. The last release from this vineyard for a while, as the vines were replanted, it's a ripe, sexy wine that has notable purity in its ripe black fruits, spice box, licorice, and chocolate aromas and flavors. Rich, full-bodied, rounded, and beautifully textured, with soft tannins, it's already drinking nicely but will evolve beautifully for a decade.” (09/2020)

“Dark, bright-rimmed ruby. Ripe boysenberry, cherry and exotic spices on the powerfully scented nose, along with a smoky nuance and a hint of vanilla that emerges as the wine opens up. Smooth and deeply concentrated, offering alluringly sweet red/blue fruit preserve flavors complemented by suggestions of allspice, violet and candied licorice. Finishes sappy, spicy and extremely long, with building florality and dusty tannins that come in late. (JR)” (12/2020)

“The 2018 Terry Hoage Vineyard is the last version of this wine—the vineyard was ripped out due to red blotch. It's a blend of 52% Grenache and 48% Syrah, made with about 30% whole cluster and aged in 50% new puncheons and 50% concrete amphora. It has an opaque ruby-purple color and bursts with aromas of mint, blueberry and blackberry jam, garrigue and red fruit touches. Full-bodied, it offers wonderful juiciness and bright, spicy tricolored fruits with a firm, grainy frame and long finish. (EB)” (10/2020)