Darren Dittrich

9.0

Beautiful and approachable Barbaresco from a solid producer. Slightly rustic initially, yielding to mint, tart cherry, herbs, and walnuts. Delicious. Total Wine, Alfio Moriconi Selection. — 2 days ago

Darren Dittrich

8.7

Distinctive reductive notes, rich ripe red fruit, but still some Nebbiolo sour cherry notes. For fans of Beaujolais, this will be a winner. Better the second day with air. Chocolate, but no tar or leather. Solid QPR. — 15 days ago

Darren Dittrich

9.2

Dry Riesling fans in Dallas? Run now to Sigel’s to pick up a wide variety of Weinbach wines that have only recently arrived in DFW. This Grand Cru is dry, with 13.5% ABV. Characteristic white floral, mineral, and melon. — 17 days ago

Darren Dittrich

8.9

Terrific value Minervois from Wines with Conviction. — 4 days ago

Darren Dittrich

7.9

Sadly, too much RS. Nice tropical flavors, some acidity, but not enough to counter the lingering sweetness. Probably a winner for the Chedraui grocery crowd in Yucatan. Next time, we will stop at Costco, Cancun. — 10 days ago

with Melissa

Darren Dittrich

9.2

Crazy-bright citrus white that everyone in our blind tasting confused with a young SauvBlanc. Difference after discussion: there’s no grassy component. There might only one HV Semillon in Dallas (TotalWine). Very much worth seeking out. — 17 days ago

Darren Dittrich

8.8

At $69 at our local boutique, it’s pricey compared to other Langhe Nebbiolos. The 2013 is rich with new oak flavors, sour cherries, pear blossoms, and bitter orange. Needs decanting or time. Compared to the same producer’s Bussia Barolo, this wine is missing some complexity, just as you might expect. In the end, better QPR from the Bussia at Costco. Will retaste in 24 hours. — a month ago

Darren Dittrich

9.2

Yet to have a less than excellent Burgundy from this producer (blanc or rouge). Black cherry richness from old vines, but light in body... delicious. — 5 days ago

Darren Dittrich

8.6

A surprising winner in Mexico. Cab/Merlot but with some Gascogne funk and acidity that makes this Rosé stand tall for longer than it should. A nice find at Chedraui for $8. The 2016 was drinking fine in 2018. — 12 days ago

with Melissa

Darren Dittrich

8.9

Bright, but quite ripe, red cherry with almond, nice herbaceous notes and light nutmeg. Reductive notes are there, but not overpowering... so a plus for me. YMMV. A little time to breathe helps.

Thanks to 2015, this is delicious now, but there’s enough grip to hold for a couple years.

So, nowadays we’re paying $48 in Dallas for Hautes-Côtes de Nuits... 2015 is a banner year for everyone apparently. — 21 days ago