Ambitious Paso Robles Weekend Part 6
THE STORY
Denner Vineyards was our last stop on Day 2 of our ambitious Paso weekend and, perhaps, that wasn’t fair to Denner. It’s hard to show up in prime tasting form after two huge tastings and no real lunch. We did our best, but they really deserve another visit.
This is the first time I’ve presented Denner wines on Decanting Monterey!
THE WINERY
About Denner Vineyards (from their website)
“Ron Denner built his state-of-the-art gravity flow winery on Vineyard Drive in Willow Creek in 2005 after spending several years developing the adjacent land from barley fields into vineyards.
“Over the years, winemaker Anthony Yount made Denner into one of the great wineries of California through a combination of careful vineyard management (including dry-farming and organic practices) and non-interventionist winemaking. Today, Anthony continues his work at Denner as the consulting winemaker for head winemaker, Mark Williams.
“In the cellar, Denner takes cues from the old world, working with a percentage of whole-cluster in his Rhone blends, relying on native yeasts for fermentation, and bottling their wines unfined and unfiltered. Of course, all of this is to translate, as faithfully as possible, the terroir of a great site, with Denner’s patchwork of calcareous clay vineyards soaring to more than 1,000 feet above sea level.”
THE WINE
I have 5 wines to present to you today from Denner. My reviews are a bit skimpy under the late-in-the-day circumstances. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2023 Denner Theresa, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, 13.6% ABV, $55 (#1635) 25% Roussanne, 22% Grenache Blanc, 18% Vermentino, 10% Clairette Blanche
Winery Notes: “Smelling like a warm spring day with delicate aromas of chamomile, oleander, beeswax and a kiss of sea spray. The wine dances with notes of candied grapefruit, mandarin orange and Asian pear wrapped in sweet brioche. Medium bodied, the plump and juicy palate dazzles the senses calling you back for another sip.” Jeb Dunnuck: 91 | James Suckling: 93
My Review: Yellow in the glass. Bright nose. Creamy on the palate a big delicious well balanced white. A nice wine. August 2025
2022 Denner Ditch Digger, Paso Robles, 14.6% ABV, $85 (#1636) 29% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 6% Graciano, 5% Garnacha, 3% Carignan, 3% Cinsault, 3% Counoise
Winery Notes: “Muddled wild strawberries and mulberries are juxtaposed against citronella and garigue. Anise seed, petrichor and red plum notes fill out this massively complex wine. The earthy, savory nature of the blend keeps the open generous textures in check as the finish sails on and on in perfect harmony.” Jeb Dunnuck: 97 points
My Review: This was a very tasty blend. It presented lighter in the palate than the big reds we’d been having, which made it a delightful and delicious wine. August 2025
2022 Denner Gold Digger, 14.7% ABV, $85 (#1637) 52% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery Notes: “Sweet aromas of cinnamon, cocoa powder and clove are joined by red currant jelly and roasted red peppers. Black cherry and more confectionary spices can be found on the decadent palate where perfectly ripe tannins are round and voluptuous creating a silky finish.” James Suckling: 93 points
My Review: This wine presented like a rich Bordeaux blend. I found it incredibly good. My kind of wine. August 2025
2022 Denner Mother of Exiles, Paso Robles, 14.3% ABV, $85 (#1638) 65% Cabernet Sauvignon 22% petite Verdot 5% Tempranillo, 3% Tannat, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Graciano, 1% Merlot
Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Dark and deep aromas of blackberry, mahogany and tobacco are serious yet approachable on the nose of this blend…. The palate is bold and extracted, offering stewed, jammy fruit flavors alongside bittersweet chocolate elements.” Matt Kettmann, May 2025
My Review: Very late in our tasting day, my only comment was “Wow!” We definitely need to revisit this winery! August 2025
2022 Denner Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.2% ABV, $95 (#1639) 79% Cabernet Sauvignon 14% Petit Verdot, 6%Tannat, 1% Carignan
Winery Notes: “Historic 1926 Zinfandel vineyard atop Mt. Veeder, along the steep southern edge of the Mayacamas Mountains. Refined Napa Valley brambly mountain fruits, violets, graphite; signature Mt Veeder tannins with a bright, fresh finish. A Zin that could convert a skeptic or two. Beautiful, even more so with some air.”
My Review: Another good wine from Denner with a tannic finish. August 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
“Nestled in the hills of west Paso Robles, Denner Vineyards produces award winning wines from our beautiful estate. We invite you to visit us for your next Paso Robles wine tasting experience. Come for the wine and stay for the views.”
5414 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles 93446 | (805) 239 4287
Find more info and make an appointment here: https://www.dennervineyards.com/visit/.
If you make it there, tell them Decanting Monterey sent you!
© Decanting Monterey 2025
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