March 31, 2022 - Two bottles too old.
May 2, 2020 - Still an example of gluggable spicy tangy goodness.
January 28, 2020 - Still very much ticking, but much of the youthful exuberance has worn off. Now it’s a lovely soft thing, still bright and light on the palate, but the red fruit is more muted, especially on day 1. By day 3 the fruit is more expressive, but still not what it was in the first couple of years past release. Could be bottle variation at work, but this one is also noticeably softer and more delicate than my note on another bottle tasted around 6 months ago. This was more along the lines of a Baden Spatburgunder or Jura Trousseau than the juicy Beaujolais character of the wine’s youth. It’s still a lovely tipple, but Hardy recommends drinking these in the first year or two after release and I think that’s probably the right approach.
August 14, 2019 - Damn, I just love how Mourvèdre takes to the carbonic treatment. It’s got just enough of a rustic edge to keep the wine from veering into strawberry jolly rancher territory...I dig the balance and tension here so much.
August 11, 2019 - Bullseye.
This is all fresh and crunchy red raspberry deliciousness on the nose, and it's light as a feather on the palate. This still has some spritz to it, so give this a vigorous shake or the 2-decanter swish back and forth 10-20x treatment if that sort of thing bothers you. I *think* there might still be a reason to buy and drink other, fancier, wines, but I'm really not sure since something this joyful and delicious is also available. Points simply can not capture how much this wine is in my wheelhouse.
February 27, 2019 - Weekday drinker hall of fame contender. The anti-Mourvèdre Mourvèdre. Among the lightest, crispiest, juiciest that red wine can be.
January 19, 2019 - Started opaque but got a little murky as it sat open. Initially fresh strawberry and hibiscus/rose. After time the sweetness sweats off the strawberry and a little moderate berry flavor creeps in. Easy to gulp (agree with everyone else) but slow sipping is rewarded with an interesting ride.
July 18, 2018 - Juicy, spicy, fun - what else would you expect from D&R? Winemaker Hardy Wallace was kind enough to send this our way with the latest shipment, and I couldn’t be more grateful! Bright and tart upon opening, the wine opened up through the evening to a brilliant balance of fresh fruit and savouriness that was impossible to stop sipping. Pomegranate, ripe strawberry, sour cherry, and an overall floral note set the tone, with black pepper and cedar kicking in as well. Red jolly rancher, cherry cola, hot tamales candy - take your pick! Delicious and oh-so crushable.
April 12, 2018 - Love. It. Crush. It.
March 13, 2018 - Perfect landing out of familiar territory in left field. Cassis and blueberry notes with floral petals and a camp fire attitude.