2013 Paderewski Vineyard

According to Justin Smith, "while the 2012s were showing some pretty serious tannins and structure early on, they're staring to calm down and the fruit is coming up fast." As to 2013, Smith likes the cool character of the newer crop of wines and thinks that people will underestimate them "because they're not massive beasts." The final touches were being put on Smith's new cave at the foot of his hillside James Berry vineyard, and it will be ready for the 2015 harvest. The Smith family's vineyard work is legendary in the region; beyond what Justin accomplishes with his fruit at Saxum one need only look at what other winemakers achieve with James Berry fruit at their own wineries. I almost hesitate to say, again, that this winery is the gold standard for the region, not least because it has been said many times before but, selfishly, because I've been on the waiting list for the wines since 2010 and I don't want any more company.