Winery - Donelan
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A tough, tannic young wine that will benefit from two or three years in the bottle, but probably no more. It’s bone dry and astringent now, with an intense core of blackberries, grilled meat and black pepper. Give it a few hours in a decanter before pouring.
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Donelan Syrah - 2008
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is not only one of the best Syrahs of the vintage, it’s easily the greatest Syrah ever produced from Sonoma Valley. Stuns with its soft, complex, black and blue berry, teriaki beef, black pepper and sandalwood flavors. The depth is unbelievable, the length impressive. Clearly a first growth Syrah, and should develop bottle complexity for the next six years, if not longer.
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Donelan Syrah - 2008
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This elegantly fruity wine is made for drinking now with spicy meats, like sausages and lamb chops. It’s dry and velvety in the mouth, with appealing flavors of raspberries and cherries, Dr. Pepper cola and peppery spices, accented with sweet, smoky oak.
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Donelan Syrah - 2008
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Not in the same league as Donelan’s Syrahs. The Grenache seems to drag it down. It’s paler in color, there’s a vegetal smell, and it’s simple in berry, cola and spice flavors. Drink now.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A beautiful young wine, notable for two things, its balance and generosity. Feels wonderfully structured, with superb tannins and a fine dose of acidity framing massive blackberry, currant, bacon, black pepper, mineral and sandalwood flavors. Bone dry, it’s a superior Syrah that should develop over the next 4–6 years.
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Donelan Syrah - 2008
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Lots of crisp, jammy Meyer lemon, lime, vanilla, honey and creamy flavors in this Rhône-style blend. It’s a little too sweet and forward, especially for the price.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An amazing wine, massively concentrated in fruit, yet beautifully balanced. Clearly one of the greatest California Syrahs of the vintage. Dry and complex, it shows intricate flavors of blackberries, Canadian bacon, mushu pork sauce, black pepper and smoky cedar flavors. Gorgeous and compelling, but far too young. Drink 2012–2018.
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Donelan Syrah - 2009
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Very young, needs plenty of time. Still showing fermentation notes, with brisk, grapey acidity and primary cherry and raspberry fruit flavors. Seems brilliantly constructed and capable of aging, though. Hold until after 2012.
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Donelan Syrah - 2009
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Rhône specialist Donelan ventures into Burgundian territory with this Pinot Noir, with good results. The grapes were grown in the wild Fort Ross area, and the wine shows typical cool-climate acidity and a feral quality to the wild berry, cherry and spice flavors. A fascinating wine that should develop over the next eight years.
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