Wild blackberry, thorny bramble, baked dark plum. Mission fig, new leather, black licorice. A magnificently concentrated and deeply layered fruit core highlighted by mulberry preserves, dark cherry pit, and kirsch booms with ripe yet beautifully rugged richness as notes of rosemary, thyme, tobacco, and sage impart a irresistibly seductive herbal edge. Wafts of dried lavender, wild rose, crushed violet, and potpourri bravely lead a procession of dense and brooding floral tones through a cavalcade of complex natural impressions of briar, undergrowth, and tree bark. Suggestions of asphalt, charcoal, wrought iron, and brisket impart bits of smokey and meaty delight while captivating bursts of vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and back pepper bolster aromatics with a range of lifted spices. Coursing throughout the complex and muscular display appear distinct notes of crushed limestone and calcareous rock that leave behind a trail of awesomely intense minerality. Incredibly bold, extracted, and decadent on both the nose and the palate while remaining miraculously well balanced and multidimensional; exhibiting a brash and beastly yet high polished attack that is simultaneously feral and finesse-driven. Unapologetically full in body with elevated tannin carried by bright acidity. This 2018 "Azimuth" by Caliza Winery is a remarkably serious and terroir expressive red from the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles.

Though Paso Robles is home to a diverse and eclectic range of international grape varieties, few would argue that Rhone grapes are what this warm coastal region grows best. This bottling, crafted by Caliza Winery using 50% Mourvèdre/30% Grenache/20% Syrah sourced from their estate vineyard in the Willow Creek District, showcases just how complex and captivating Paso Rhone red blends can be. Though still in its infancy this wine already booms with a completely enthralling combination of dense dark and red fruits, incredible herbal complexity, bold floral tones, meaty savoriness, and simply inimitable minerality. It is astoundingly good today yet will surely continue to improve with bottle age. World class.