Hexe 2020

SAXUM

Hexe
2020

Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
California
Subregion
San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles
Varietal(s)
Grenache
Petite Sirah
Graciano
Mourvèdre
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

Saxum is one of the hottest wineries in Paso Robles, which is saying something, since Paso is pretty well as hot as it gets in California these days. Of course Paso is 'hot' by virtue of being cool, and the coolest part of Paso Robles is the Templeton gap in West Paso, where Saxum is located. Here cool marine air streams in from the Pacific Ocean, creating a microclimate that is surprisingly temperate for Southern California. Saxum's James Berry vineyard is perhaps the supreme expression of...

See the SAXUM detail page for more information on this brand

Press reviews

Jeb Dunnuck

- 100 points -

Jeb Dunnuck, September 2021 (Vintage 2018)

Another perfect wine is the 2018 Hexe, a blend of 57% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 13% Graciano, 10% Syrah, and the rest Petite Sirah that’s a 60/40 split from the James Berry and G2 vineyards. Full-bodied, concentrated, and incredibly pure, its vivid purple (it’s not completely opaque) color is followed by ample dark berry and black cherry fruits as well as notes of candied orange, licorice, peppery herbs, and an incredible sense of minerality. It reminds me of a great vintage of Janasse’s Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes and is another tour de force from winemaker Justin Smith that will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 15+ years.

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Jeb Dunnuck

- 96 points -

August 2023 (Vintage 2020)

A step up over the Rocket Block and one of the finest 2020s out there, the 2020 Hexe is 51% Grenache, 17% Petite Sirah, and the rest Graciano and Mourvèdre, all from a single parcel of old vines in the James Berry Vineyard. Darker red and black fruits, smoked herbs, graphite, and spicy notes all dominate the bouquet, and it's full-bodied, has terrific concentration, and ripe, polished tannins. It's a gorgeous bottle of wine.

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