2016 Denner Dirt Worshipper

97% Syrah, 2% Roussanne, 1% Viognier

Hands down my all-time favorite bottling of this wine — the nose is pure Syrah, singing with notes of white pepper, violets, olive tapenade, crushed blackberries, and smoked brisket. The palate is incredibly suspenseful until, at last, it explodes with a burly burst of blueberries, cooling menthol, and espresso — yet it finishes with a seamless stream of elegant tannins, leaving you practically begging for another sip.

Vinous: 95 | Wine Spectator: 96

WINE SPECS

Vintage: 2016

Varietal: Syrah

Appellation: Paso Robles

Acid: 5.5 g/l

pH: 3.88

Bottling Date: 6/1/2018

Alcohol %: 14.5

Cooperage & Elevation: Aged for 20 months in French oak barriques and cigars, 12% new and 88% neutral

Fermentation: Once daily delestages with ice during 5-day cold soak, then feral fermented with twice daily delestages. 3 -week total maceration. 42% whole cluster; unfiltered

Case Production: 1083

Vineyard Notes: 30% Estate – Willow Creek District, Paso Robles. 25% Duvarita – Santa Ynez Valley, 25% Bassetti – SLO County, 10% Slide Hill – Edna Valley, 8% Stolo – SLO County, and 2% Boulder Ridge – SLO County.