TN: 2014 Dirty, Rowdy & Enfield Red Wine Antle Vineyard

WINE TALK
#1
  • 2014 Dirty, Rowdy & Enfield Red Wine Antle Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone (11/16/2015)
    Dark floral nose, medium color, barely any tannin, a little fruit, medium acidity. A weird bitterness shows up on the side of the tongue if you swish it around, but if you’re just drinking it, to, you know, drink a wine with dinner, you’re not going to notice that. Doesn’t seem to have much tannic structure…but who knows. (88 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Definitely an interesting wine, and I enjoyed it. At the moment the bitterness on the finish is a bit more than I would like, maybe the stems(?), but perhaps that will integrate better over time.

#2

Thx for taking one, appreciate the note.

I already have these in storage, not even thinking of cracking one for at least a year or two.

#3

Hardy has talked about these being tight. I would expect that the wine still needs some time to knit together. I am probably not going to open one until some time next spring.

#4

I’m thinking the same. Based on the notes that Hardy provided, my two bottles ae sleeping for at least a year or 2 before I think about opening.

#5

How long did you let it open up before drinking?

Did you decant it?

#6

I definitely did not heed the decanting and/or storage (obviously) instructions. Basically a straight up Pobega’ing.
Will see how the second half of the bottle fares tonight.

#7

My non wino GF did not like this at all when it was just opened. 3 hours later she loved it.

#8

I have liked the 2013 much closer to pop n pour than their 2014 counterparts–true believer that 60-90 minutes makes a world of difference with these.

#9

^ are you referring to 2013 vintage D&R, Enfield or this specific cuvee? Because this collaboration was just done in 2014.

#10

Albert,

Every 2013 that I have had–the vintage. I have had both 2013 and 2014 of Semillon, Familiar, Especial this far. But, have also had 2013s of a few other D&Rs, none which I recall not finding pleasant right out of the bottle. Every 2014 I have had has done much better with about a 60 minute decant. As Hardy says about his 2014s, the decanter is your friend!

#11

I will confirm this definitely had picked up some fruit and balance on the second night.

#12

Very cool. Thanks for the clarification! Nice to know especially regarding the Especial which I have generally regarded as a PnP. Next time I open a 2014 I’ll decant!

#13

I opened one up two nights ago. Heed Hardy’s aging note…this needs some time in the bottle for sure. It’s got a great nose on it right now but it doesn’t translate well to the palate. With a few years of age I’m hoping the pinot noir will put on some more weight to act as a counterpoint to the mourvedre.

#14

Thanks for the note and trying the wine- Yes. This wine should be tucked away for at least a year. A long (3hr) decant helps for sure. Though lean, John and I picked what we thought were the most structured barrels from our lots. The perfumey nose is deceiving.

As Ron mentioned, all of the '14s should get a lot of air. The '14 wines (except the Familiar and Especial wines) can all be tucked away for years. (I’d open the Dirty Rowdy Enfield last.)

#15

Evangelho vs Stoner Creek - which would you recommend tucking away for a while if I am going to drink one sooner?

#16

Super tough call. Evangelho is more showy right now and the Stoney is more cerebral. I’ve been telling most people to pop the stoney 1st just due to quantity / allocation size, but if you only have one of each and want to drink one now- I’d probably pop the Evangelho. We poured it at our fried chicken event last weekend and people dug it.

#17

So a DRE on Thanksgiving with a four-hour decant – will that be worth it?? or do i really need to wait until next year (or the year after…) ?

#18

Wait. Don’t open a bottle that won’t show well. This is next year’s wine. Too good to waste!

#19

Thanks, Noah! I was afraid of that answer! I’ll rethink my turkey day strategy!

#20

Hola Alicia- You have several :slight_smile: and if you want to get into one, go for it. Just give it a long decant. I’m popping one now (9AM EST) to pour for a group of somms at noon. I can’t remember, did you try it when you visited John & I?

I just don’t know if it would be our best Turkey wine- The Familiar Blanc, White Oak Flats, Familiar Mourvèdre, Especial, and Evangelho- would be better turkey choices. Antle (Mourvèdre and DRE) is more dark fruited (purple / black) vs the red fruit of several of the others.