Saxum Hexe Paso Robles Willow Creek District 2021

98+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "A clear step up over the 2020 of this cuvée, the 2021 Hexe is up there with the 2016 and 2018. Coming from a south-facing parcel in the James Berry Vineyard (there's a kiss of G2 fruit) … it sports a dense purple hue as well as awesome levels of red and black fruits, peppery herbs, sandalwood, loamy earth, and leather. I love its overall complexity, and it's full-bodied, with a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, lots of structure, and a blockbuster of a finish. Hide bottles for 4-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 15-20 years. Drink: 2024-2044. (Aug 2024)"

97 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2021 Hexe is a blend of 40% Grenache, 19% Graciano, 18% Graciano, 18% Syrah, 13% Mataro, and 10% Petite Sirah. Deep garnet-purple colored, notes of black cherries, mulberries, and red currant jelly leap from the glass, giving way to a floral undercurrent of red roses and iris bulb, plus a waft of menthol. The full-bodied palate has a fantastically velvety texture with a lively backbone supporting the bright, generous black and red berry layers, leading to a long mineral-laced finish. Drink 2025-2040 (Sep 2024)"

96 points Matthew Luczy (Wine Advocate): "The 2022 The Hexe is a blend based on old-vine Grenache plantings at James Berry Vineyard, complemented by fruit from G2 Vineyard. This release is the final edition of this bottling, as future versions will feature only estate-grown fruit. It begins with one of the darkest, most smoldering and spice-driven bouquets of the roster, gradually developing more herbal and graphite-tinged notes that rise above a rich core of opaque fruits. The palate is enveloping, plush and silky, maintaining impressive poise despite its substantial weight. It concludes with a rich, exotic and warming finish that unfolds with intense fruit flavors, remaining nuanced and lifted, with nearly perplexing balance considering its overall size and power. Composed of 40% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 18% Mataro, 16% Graciano and 6% Petite Sirah, it was aged for 32 months in 72% new 300-liter barriques. Drink 2026-2036 (Oct 2025)"

94 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "The 2021 Hexe reveals depths of crushed raspberry lifted by nuances of sweet sage and lavender. Juicy and rounded, it offers ripe red and blue fruits elevated by a tinge of violet pastille, while a burst of baking spice embellishes the close. Crisp mineral tones come forward through the finish, providing perfect balance to the 2021’s decadent character as it tapers off long with a gentle tannic tug. Drink: 2026-2034. (Jun 2025)"