Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard Adelaida District 2018

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A rich, powerful wine based on 59% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 14% Touriga Nacional, and the rest Graciano, brought up mostly in foudre, 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, spice notes. It has a Rhône-like spicy, meaty, savory character yet packs gorgeous purity of fruit, full-bodied richness, and sweet, polished tannins that are pure Paso Robles. Enjoy this brilliant blend any time over the coming 10-15 years. Along with the 2007, this is the finest example of this cuvée I've tasted. Drink: 2020-2035. (Sep 2020)"

98 points Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Heart Stone Vineyard is big and flavorful but tremendously elegant this vintage. A blend of 59% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 14% Touriga Nacional and 13% Graciano, it has a deep, alluring perfume, loaded with purple flowers, licorice, earth, charcuterie and blackberry pie scents. The palate is full-bodied and structured by wonderfully ripe tannins, exploding with spiced dark fruits that expand effortlessly into a very long, lifted finish. It's stunning now but will offer more with time in the cellar. Drink: 2022-2037. (Jan 2021)"

97 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "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. Drink: 2027-2037. (Dec 2020)"

Producer notes: "59% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 14% Touriga Nacional, 13% Graciano. 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. Alcohol 15.9%."