2011 Saxum Terry Hoage Vineyard
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Tasting notes
More approachable and a sexy, seamless and layered effort, the 2011 Terry Hoage Vineyard (51% Grenache and 49% Syrah) has a distinct floral quality to go with fabulous creme de cassis, black raspberry, violets and licorice aromas and flavors. Possessing full-bodied richness and an elegant, focused and pure style, it benefits from a decant if drinking anytime soon, and will have over a decade of longevity. This was another great visit with Justin Smith, and he continues to tweak and experiment with varying degrees of whole cluster and concrete, puncheon and barrel aging regimes. Looking at his 2011s, I was able to taste all of these from bottles in Colorado, and they’ve closed down substantially since I reviewed them from barrel. In most cases, these took a day or more to fully unwind, and the style here is much more Rhone-like, with spice, pepper and meaty aromatics paired with focused, firm palate profiles. These are gorgeous wine that won’t start to show their full potential for another 3-4 years. The 2012s are just as good, if not better, yet are surprisingly tannic and structured. Given the up-front nature of the vintage, I was surprised by the tannin profile and more reserved style in most of the wines. Nevertheless, the concentration level here is on par with, if not slightly greater than, the 2011s, and they show the fabulous purity and focus of the vintage. Both of these vintages will need short-term cellaring. My favorite of the three vintages reviewed here, the 2013s offer thrilling density of fruit, massive concentration, and sound underlying structure that keeps the wines focused and balanced. I think short-term cellaring will be helpful here as well, but I wouldn’t be afraid to crack a bottle or two on release either. Despite these vintage differences, as I hope the reviews and scores show, these are incredible wines that make the most of this special terroir. Truthfully, there are few mailing lists out there worth being on, but without a doubt, this is one of them. Tel. (805) 610-0363; www.saxumvineyards.com
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Another gorgeous wine, the 2011 Terry Hoage Vineyard is especially supple and resonant for the year. Dark red cherries, kirsch, cinnamon and new leather are all woven together in a brilliant, wine built on texture, energy and nuance. The Terry Hoage is 51% Grenache and 49% Syrah, done mostly with destemmed fruit and aged predominantly in puncheons.
(51% grenache and 49% syrah; 15.3% alcohol): Opaque ruby. Highly expressive scents of red- and blackcurrant, cherry, smoky minerals, licorice and flowers. Fresh and precise but deeply concentrated, with sweet red berry compote and cassis flavors, supple texture and an exotic floral pastille quality. Becomes spicier with air and finishes pliant and long, with subtle tannins and a whiplash of peppery spices.
A stunning wine, the 2011 Terry Hoage Vineyard bursts from the glass with rich layers of intensely perfumed fruit. Hard candy, sweet red cherries, smoke and cloves are woven in a fabric of exotic and stunning beauty. In 2011, the Terry Hoage is truly distinctive and pedigreed. It is also the most precise, feminine wine in the range. The 2011 is equal parts Syrah and Grenache, co-fermented, and aged in puncheons.
About the producer
Founded in 2002 by Justin and Heather Smith, Saxum Vineyards is a leading Paso Robles producer of Rhône-inspired wines. Limited to around 8,000 cases annually, the range includes Broken Stones, James Berry Vineyard, Bone Rock and Rocket Block.