Challenging Grenache and Limestone-y Viognier

2014 Donkey and Goat Grenache Noir, El Dorado County, California. Blazing cherry and strawberry fruit from this very young light red bottled under a screwcap. Plum skin, earth. TANNINS! Big Tannins. And, the characteristic sharp Donkey and Goat acidity.

I can't say this is a "balanced" wine at this infantile stage. It was much smoother and more approachable when ran through a Vintouri (I was a skeptic, but definitely noticeable here). Needs food. Despite these caveats, I just continue to find D&G wines INTERESTING to drink. Even if a little odd. AFWE/Over-Intellectualizing? Probably. But, we finished the bottle!

2012 Chateau de Campuget "1753 Viognier" Languedoc Roussilon. This was quite interesting. Still a touch too much "Viognier-y" character for me (not my favorite white grape!) but the wine had this noticeably limestone character to the flavor and mouthfeel. Not sure that even makes sense, but when I tasted the first sip, I immediately thought of limestone! Not too heavy, not as cloying as too many Viogniers. Nice discovery!

2014 Donkey and Goat Grenache Noir, El Dorado County, California. Blazing cherry and strawberry fruit from this very young light red bottled under a screwcap. Plum skin, earth. TANNINS! Big Tannins. And, the characteristic sharp Donkey and Goat acidity.

I can't say this is a "balanced" wine at this infantile stage. It was much smoother and more approachable when ran through a Vintouri (I was a skeptic, but definitely noticeable here). Needs food. Despite these caveats, I just continue to find D&G wines INTERESTING to drink. Even if a little odd. AFWE/Over-Intellectualizing? Probably. But, we finished the bottle!

Yup, Brian.....pretty much my take on D&G wines as well. Oftentimes, I will use "interesting" to describe a wine that I want to say
something good about...but can't find a whole lot of redeeming features to say anything else. And then I will oftentimes use "interesting" for a wine that expands my horizons and leaves me scratching my head in puzzlement over what is this winemaker
trying to say to me. The D&G wines always fall into that latter category.
Tom

and yet....I keep buying the Donkey and Goat. Their Syrahs can be lovely, actually, with some bottle age. And, I like the brighter, sharper side of Pinot Noir and Jarred nails that!