Tech Notes
Wine Details
James Suckling
Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
Vinous
Decanter
Wine Enthusiast
Wine Spectator
By Denner Vineyards
2021 Ditch Digger
Blend
33% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 22% Syrah, 5% Cinsaut, 4% Counoise, 2% Tannat, 2% Carignan
Tasting Notes
The 2021 Ditch Digger opens with a bouquet of boysenberry, petrichor, salvia, and just a touch of garam masala. Dense layers of raspberry, pomegranate, coriander, and Hungarian paprika melt into supple tannins. A striking mineral note drives the lingering finish across the palate.
Wine Specs
Vintage: 2021
Vineyard Notes: Denner Willow Creek
Bottling Date: 5/4/23; bottled unfined and unfiltered
Cooperage: Aged 20 months in 50% used 500-L puncheons, 30% used 225-L barrels, and 20% concrete tank
Fermentation
Five-day cold-soak with twice daily pump-overs. 12-day native fermentation with a mix of delestages and pump-overs for cap management. 17-day total maceration. Fermented 35% whole cluster.
Technical Analysis
Alcohol: 14.60%
Acid: 6.8 g/l
pH: 3.66
[Information provided by Denner Vineyards]
Region:
Paso Robles
Vintage:
2021
Grape:
Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsaut, Counoise, Tannat, Carignan
Country:
United States
Unit Size:
750.00 ML
Alcohol Percentage:
14.60
Appellation:
Paso Robles Willow Creek District
Wine: Denner Vineyards Paso Robles Willow Creek District Ditch Digger 2021
Score/Rating: 96
Review Date: 05/14/2024
Reviewed By: Jim Gordon
Tasting Notes: This flagship wine is designed to show the best qualities of the Denner estate. It evokes a Chateauneuf vibe, blended from 33% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 22% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 4% Counoise, 2% Tannat and 2% Carignan. Nicely layered red and black fruit with meaty, peppery accents. Full-bodied and moderately tannic, showcasing the vineyard rather than any new oak influence. Drink or hold.
Wine: 2021 Denner Vineyards Ditch Digger
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2040
Review Date: 12/29/2023
Reviewed By: Erin Brooks
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Ditch Digger is a blend of 33% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 22% Syrah, 5% Cinsaut, 4% Counoise, 2% Tannat and 2% Carignan. It has kaleidoscopic aromas of wild berries, dried mint, mushrooms, forest floor and hints of floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate is notable for the concentration, definition and layering of its spicy fruit. It has a structure of chalky tannins, fireworks of fresh acidity and a long, dynamic finish.
Wine: 2021 Denner Vineyards Ditch Digger
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2034
Review Date: 08/15/2024
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck       Â
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Ditch Digger is based on one-third each of Grenache and Mourvedre, with the balance Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise, and other red varieties, and it was fermented with 35% stems and aged in used barrels, with a small portion in concrete. Rockingly good darker raspberries, mulberries, peppery herbs, and gamey, floral notes all emerge from this brilliant effort, a pure, medium to full-bodied, focused red that has ripe, nicely integrated tannins, a silky, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's a killer bottle of wine to drink over the coming decade.
Wine: Denner Vineyards 2021 Ditch Digger
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2030
Review Date: 06/2024
Reviewed By: Eric Guido
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Ditch Digger is dark and youthfully inward, mixing nuances of sage and crushed blackberries with earth tones and spice. This is remarkably fresh and energetic, with depths of mineral-laced black fruit offset by hints of sour citrus. The 2021 marries power with grace, tapering off with staining length and gentle tannins. A pleasantly bitter tinge lingers under a cascade of violet inner florals.Â
Wine: Denner, Ditch Digger, Paso Robles, Willow Creek, 2021
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2032
Review Date: 12/14/2023
Reviewed By: Jonathan Cristaldi
Tasting Notes: It resembles the Ditch Digger Concrete but with some oak ageing in neutral puncheons and barrels. 33% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 22% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 4% Counoise, [...] Tannat, and 2% Carignan. The bright fruit aromatics and flavours noticeable in the Concrete-aged Ditch Digger are present, and focused with blackberry and black cherry, expressive cedarwood and brown spices, and cocoa nibs nuances. A wonderfully structured red blend with brambly red berry fruit, black cherry and pie crust spices with stony mineral underpinnings, pops of liquorice, wild herbs, and building tannins framed by cedar and toffee. It's worth seeking both of these to sample them side by side.
Wine: Denner 2021 Ditch Digger Red (Paso Robles Willow Creek District)
Score/Rating: 93 - Cellar SelectionÂ
Review Date: 09/01/2024
Reviewed By: Matt Kettmann
Tasting Notes: Juicy aromas of baked blackberry, strawberry, clove and nutmeg show on the nose of this [...] GSM-based blend. There's a sizzle of acidity to kick off the sip before diving into deeper tones of coffee bean, herb and plum fruits.Â
Wine: Denner Ditch Digger Paso Robles Willow Creek District 2021
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: Best from 2026 through 2033
Review Date: October 31, 2024
Reviewed By: Tim FishÂ
Tasting Notes: Compact and a bit taut right now, with raspberry, cherry, crushed stone and garrigue accents that build toward muscular tannins. Needs time. Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsaut, Counoise, Tannat and Carignan. Best from 2026 through 2033.
