2018 Department 66 Others

94 POINTS: Brooding aromas of wet slate, tomato confit and boysenberry, along with lofty-turned earth notes and a pop of red leaf tea. Expansive on entry, with grainy tannins framing a plethora of red, black and blue-toned fruits, tinged with star anise, chocolate, black rum cake and a cedar-kissed finish. Balanced, expressive and layered. Tremendous value. While the D66 flagship label would be Grenache-focused, Dave Phinney and Richard Case had to figure out what to do with the ‘other’ Syrah, Carignan, and Petite Sirah grapes that they have planted on their property. This ‘Others’ is the answer. Leading with 65% Grenache, the rest is Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Lledoner Pelut.