A blend of 37% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 26% Mourvedre, and 9% Cinsault, the 2006 The Ditch Digger reminds me of an old-styled Fonsalette from the southern Rhone. Elegant aromas of sweet berry, raspberry, and cherry fruit along with licorice, pepper, and Provencal herbs emerge from this fresh, pure, zesty, lively, medium-bodied red. It would have scored an even higher rating if the finish had been slightly longer. This beauty is best consumed over the next 2-3 years. Even in such a challenging vintage as 2006, this vineyard’s limestone soil characteristics are obvious in these four offerings’ precision, exceptional minerality, and definition. Most of these wines are made from various degrees of whole clusters and aged in 500-liter puncheons. Tel. (805) 239-4287; Fax (805) 239-0154