Denner Vineyards 'Dirt Worshipper' Red Blend 2022

In Short

A full-bodied California red blend of blackberry, plum, and mineral earth, with structure built for the next decade.

Quick Facts

Region: California Variety: 91% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Clairette Blanche, 2% Graciano,1% Viognier Style: Full-bodied Best For: Dinner parties, cellaring

Why We Stock It

Denner's 'Dirt Worshipper' is a serious California blend that rewards patience without demanding it. The wine balances concentration with restraint, letting earth and stone speak as loudly as fruit, which is unusual in California reds at this price. It's the kind of bottle that works equally well open now and tucked away for five years.

Tasting Profile

The wine shows dark fruit and mineral character with a grounded earthiness throughout.

Winemaking

Denner employs a balanced approach with oak aging that frames rather than dominates the fruit. The specifics of their blend and fermentation are kept close, but the wine's mineral backbone and elegant structure suggest thoughtful extraction and élevage.

Serving & Pairing

Serve between 62 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit; decant for thirty minutes if opening now. This wine pairs naturally with braised short ribs or beef stew, where its tannins grip the meat's richness, but it's equally at home alongside roasted mushrooms and root vegetables, where the earthy notes in the glass echo the plate.

The Estate

Denner Vineyards is a California producer focused on red blends that prioritize balance and minerality over extracted fruit. The winemaking philosophy centers on letting terroir express itself rather than imposing oak or new-wood character.

Terroir

The blend draws from California vineyards where volcanic and mineral-rich soils contribute to the wine's earthy signature. The region's warm growing season concentrates fruit while moderate cooling allows acidity and tannin structure to develop in parallel, resulting in a wine with both depth and definition.