2019 Saxum ‘The Hexe’ Proprietary Red

JD100 The deeper plum-hued 2019 Hexe is a more diverse blend composed of 49% Grenache, 18% Petite Sirah, 16% Mataro, 9% Graciano, and 8% Syrah. The élevage here is similar to the Rocket Block, and it spent 32 months in 55% new French oak 300-liter barrels. Pure gold in Rhône blends from California, it has a massive bouquet of ripe black fruit, chocolate, smoked earth, graphite, ground pepper, and assorted meaty nuances, among other things. All of these carry over to the palate, where the wine is massively rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, with a layered, multi-dimensional texture. I was able to taste this on two separate occasions and thought it was a perfect wine both times. It shows the tighter, focused style of the 2019 vintage and deserves 2-4 years of bottle age. It will unquestionably keep for two decades.

VIN96 Dark and rich in the glass, the 2019 Hexe displays wild strawberry, red plum, anise and peppery floral aromas. This is wickedly fresh yet powerful, with depths of ripe cherry-berry fruits, autumnal spice and lively acidity that holds the entire experience together. The 2019 finishes long and spicy, echoing with blue and purple inner florals. A balsamic twang lingers.