Donelan
Richards Family Vineyard Syrah
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
First winery on day two in Sonoma was Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa with Meredith. The next Rhone varietal red was the Richards Family Vineyard Syrah. Made up of 100% Syrah from the Richard Family Vineyard. This bottling is around 70-100% whole cluster fermented then aged for 28 months in 33% new French oak. Only 466 cases produced.
Dark purplish ruby red. Nice layers on the nose with some savory characteristics, dark cocoa, herbs, leather, purple flowers and some spices. Medium plus to heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Dry undertones on the palate with plush dark berries, crushed dark gravel and sweet spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2031.
$$$$ - Tasted at the winery. Retail price is $150.00.
First winery on day two in Sonoma was Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa with Meredith. The next Rhone varietal red was the Richards Family Vineyard Syrah. Made up of 100% Syrah from the Richard Family Vineyard. This bottling is around 70-100% whole cluster fermented then aged for 28 months in 33% new French oak. Only 466 cases produced.
Dark purplish ruby red. Nice layers on the nose with some savory characteristics, dark cocoa, herbs, leather, purple flowers and some spices. Medium plus to heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Dry undertones on the palate with plush dark berries, crushed dark gravel and sweet spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2031.
$$$$ - Tasted at the winery. Retail price is $150.00.
Another killer Syrah from Donelan - leather, tar, pine sap, sweat, and sanguine character. Juicy, palate coating, I don’t understand why more people aren’t obsessed with what this grape can do in California.
Another killer Syrah from Donelan - leather, tar, pine sap, sweat, and sanguine character. Juicy, palate coating, I don’t understand why more people aren’t obsessed with what this grape can do in California.
May 6th, 2018
B-b-b-broomsticks. A BBW (big beautiful wine) looking for action. Bacon fruit!
B-b-b-broomsticks. A BBW (big beautiful wine) looking for action. Bacon fruit!
Oct 14th, 2017
A staggeringly good wine. Spices, cranberry, orange, sage. So much going on. Was delicious with six years of age but I wish I had hung onto it for a bit longer.
A staggeringly good wine. Spices, cranberry, orange, sage. So much going on. Was delicious with six years of age but I wish I had hung onto it for a bit longer.
1 person found it helpfulJan 20th, 2020
Beautiful Syrah an much better than the 2008. Elegant, dark, contemplative wine with dark fruit and licorice. Nose takes you deep inside your head with blackberry and licorice. Powerful but smooth tannins. More Rhône style than California. Expensive at $83.25 but worth it.
Beautiful Syrah an much better than the 2008. Elegant, dark, contemplative wine with dark fruit and licorice. Nose takes you deep inside your head with blackberry and licorice. Powerful but smooth tannins. More Rhône style than California. Expensive at $83.25 but worth it.
Feb 6th, 2025Beautiful high alcohol warm-climate Syrah. Fruity and jammy. Blueberry followed by a spicy finish. Great with Chinese beef and peppers.
Beautiful high alcohol warm-climate Syrah. Fruity and jammy. Blueberry followed by a spicy finish. Great with Chinese beef and peppers.
Oct 19th, 2024
Still quite young. Dense, savory, still tannic. Lot going on here and should evolve.
Still quite young. Dense, savory, still tannic. Lot going on here and should evolve.
Feb 5th, 2017
Wow! The fruit is so abundant even on this 2011 wine. Very enjoyable.
Wow! The fruit is so abundant even on this 2011 wine. Very enjoyable.
Feb 8th, 2021