Praetorian

Always bringing the noise and always delivering on loads of aromatics, flavors, and grip, the 2020 Praetorian is one of the burliest yet expressive vintages to date. A warm year (even by Paso standards) yields ropes of decadent and reduced fruit, spices galore, and even an acidic punch of fruit on the palate, all interwoven with Praetorian’s signature strict tannin. This will be a great wine to watch over time and how the layers pull away to show what is underneath. Aromatics of blackberry syrup, marionberry and pie fog out of the glass, showing a rich and thick façade along with a seasonal persimmon and brown sugar twist. Behind the richness a support system of spice box, charred cedar, and clove act as a wonderful counterpoint to the fruit sweetness. On the palate the wine is a different beast, focused and gritty tannin dominate the core of the wine along with a bright acidic punch of cranberry juice and dried raspberry. A spicy and savory note of linguica accompany the tannin as it slowly broadens in the mid palate before a long finish full of coffee and rich cassis.