Donelan
Obsidian Vineyard Syrah
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Exceptional - rocky and pedigreed. A tragic loss to the 2017 wine country fires. Intensely rocky, red fruited, lengthy and just awesome.
Exceptional - rocky and pedigreed. A tragic loss to the 2017 wine country fires. Intensely rocky, red fruited, lengthy and just awesome.
May 6th, 2018Donelan continues to cement its place as one of California’s foremost authorities on Syrah. Boisterous yet savory and precise, flavors of quinine, thyme, black minerals, sweat and game meet a plumper backdrop of fruit. It combines a Northern Rhône sensibility with an undeniably Californian juiciness. Exceptional.
Donelan continues to cement its place as one of California’s foremost authorities on Syrah. Boisterous yet savory and precise, flavors of quinine, thyme, black minerals, sweat and game meet a plumper backdrop of fruit. It combines a Northern Rhône sensibility with an undeniably Californian juiciness. Exceptional.
Mar 27th, 2018
Graphite and smoke framed by beautiful new world fruit, surprisingly complex
Graphite and smoke framed by beautiful new world fruit, surprisingly complex
1 person found it helpfulDec 8th, 2015Great Syrah, showcasing loads of brooding, dark berries, meat stock, spice and bay leaf aromas, complemented by chocolatey oak. All is then wonderfully mirrored on the full-bodied and concentrated, still tannic palate.
Great Syrah, showcasing loads of brooding, dark berries, meat stock, spice and bay leaf aromas, complemented by chocolatey oak. All is then wonderfully mirrored on the full-bodied and concentrated, still tannic palate.
1 person found it helpfulNov 21st, 2014
Huge, broody, smoky, earthy, kola nut, great character
Huge, broody, smoky, earthy, kola nut, great character
Mar 9th, 2015
Delish but will be singing in a year or two.
Delish but will be singing in a year or two.
Jan 17th, 2015
This extremely dense wine shows notes of black fruits (super ripe blackberries, black currants, black plum) black pepper, toast and strong notes of meat, blood, savory, smoke and tobacco. Rich and concentrated and will continue to evolve.
This extremely dense wine shows notes of black fruits (super ripe blackberries, black currants, black plum) black pepper, toast and strong notes of meat, blood, savory, smoke and tobacco. Rich and concentrated and will continue to evolve.
Dec 31st, 2014
Deep contemplative Syrah tasting of black raisins and dried cherries, with a smoky finish. At $70 a little pricey for what it was but still a wine worth trying. Well-made.
Deep contemplative Syrah tasting of black raisins and dried cherries, with a smoky finish. At $70 a little pricey for what it was but still a wine worth trying. Well-made.
Nov 19th, 2023
98+pts with the possibility of going to 99. Stands among the excellence of Syrahs. Rivaling the amazing 09 the 13 Obsidian is outstanding. Charcuterie and Brie cheese hit the senses from the nose. black cherry with olive tapenade and white peeper on the back of the palate. A 40second finish with integrated tannins. Medium acidity, gives this another decade of life. @donelanwines kills it again
98+pts with the possibility of going to 99. Stands among the excellence of Syrahs. Rivaling the amazing 09 the 13 Obsidian is outstanding. Charcuterie and Brie cheese hit the senses from the nose. black cherry with olive tapenade and white peeper on the back of the palate. A 40second finish with integrated tannins. Medium acidity, gives this another decade of life. @donelanwines kills it again
Jun 21st, 2020Massive extraction and elegance. Almost like an oxymoron. As a Rhône ranger this is near perfection. Will stand up against anything from anywhere. Charcuterie and crushed blackberry are predominate on the nose. Macerated cherry and smoked meats push the palate. Medium acidity and super long finish,make is so enticing. Still has a few years left on it. Find it and enjoy
Massive extraction and elegance. Almost like an oxymoron. As a Rhône ranger this is near perfection. Will stand up against anything from anywhere. Charcuterie and crushed blackberry are predominate on the nose. Macerated cherry and smoked meats push the palate. Medium acidity and super long finish,make is so enticing. Still has a few years left on it. Find it and enjoy
Apr 14th, 2020