December 7, 2022 - -- decanted approx. 1 hr. before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over approx. 2 hrs on Day 1; revisited on Day 2 --
NOSE: carbonic; juicy red berries; hint of pine needle.
BODY: sediment present; light to medium-light bodied; garnet color of medium-light depth.
TASTE: a bit zesty (carbonic); red-fruited (red currant; pomegranate); a touch savory; light; flashy; medium+ acidity; medium concentration of fruit flavor. Still good on Day 2.
August 4, 2022 - Hazy medium garnet with some bricking around the edges. There’s still some carbonic character here but this is transforming into a more thought-provoking wine. Graceful, light, and mellow but with a serious undertone. I love this and wish I had more to follow with age.
September 11, 2021 - First D&R after the sad news of the end of the winery. This bottle only emphasized how much they have done for mourvedre and bringing a fresh perspective to Cali wine. Glad that I've still got a lot of D&R left to drink.
August 2, 2021 - The age has done it favors. It’s lost the (unbalanced) electric edge, and now has a tropical fruit nose and nicely balanced red fruit in the palate. Medium garnet.
July 30, 2021 - Deep ruby red. Bright nose with cherries, leather and rhubarb. Medium plus acidity with medium tannins (5/10) and a medium body. Red berries on the palate with a bit of black fruit and cedar. Long finish. Drink till 2025.
June 9, 2020 - Bright and juicy with some serious pucker. Made for BBQ and summer evenings on the porch.
May 23, 2020 - -- cork pulled a couple hours before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 – 3 hours --
NOSE: expressive; a bit carbonic; raspberry; crushed stones. Overall, quite pleasant.
BODY: hazy raspberry color – similar to what I'd expect from a cherry or raspberry lambic – of medium-light depth; light to medium-light bodied.
TASTE: medium+ to high acidity; red-fruited and savory; drying tannins; I'd love to see this with some real age on it, as I believe it would benefit greatly; typical light/bright D&R style, but significantly more guts/stuffing than most bottlings of theirs I've tried; 12.3% alc. not noticeable; a touch zesty. Definitely one of the most impressive Dirty & Rowdy wines I've had. Gut impression score: 92.
February 3, 2020 - Delicious, elegant mourvedre. Light color with touch of haze. Pronounced gamey character together with pure red fruit. Like a cross between Fleurie and CdR. Worth $40? Not sure. Definitely a good deal by CA standards.
December 27, 2019 - Pure fun in a bottle! Cloudy appearance, punchy strawberry / cherry / red fruit, floral elements, savory. Elevated bistro wine. Good to go after an hour or three of air.
October 16, 2019 - Super fun “fresh” Mourvedre. A delight to drink.