2020 Paderewski Vineyard

The 2020 Paderewski Vineyard is certainly a good wine, although its aromatics show obvious smoke. A blend of 48% Syrah, 21% Mataro, 18% Zinfandel, 7% Graciano, and the rest Tempranillo, it has ample black fruits, smoked herbs, pepper, and chocolaty notes to go with full-bodied richness on the palate, where the wine stays clean, nicely balanced, and enjoyable. Of all the 2020s here, it shows the most smoke impact though, and while I don’t think it’s going to fall off a cliff, it’s one I would recommend drinking more in its youth. The 2020s from Saxum are solid wines, although there are subtle signs of smoke in a few of the wines, and in general, the wines are narrower and more focused than normal, yet still nicely concentrated. At a high level, I think these are good to outstanding wines that will offer pleasure. Clearly the 2021s are a step up, and this is another brilliant vintage for winemaker Justin Smith.

Spiced black cherries, rum cake, molten chocolate and sweet sage form a bouquet that's impossible to ignore as the 2020 Paderewski Vineyard opens in the glass. This is elegant to the core, with a creamy wave of ripe red fruits that flow under an air of violet inner florals. Chalky mineral tones cake the palate. It finishes with tremendous length and structure, as residual acids work to maintain freshness, and black raspberry hints slowly fade. The Paderewski is a co-fermented blend of 48% Syrah, 21% Mataro, 18% Zinfandel, 7% Graciano and 6% Tempranillo.