Donum Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2011
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Connoisseurs' Guide
The Russian River Reserve heads up these latest releases from one of California's top Pinot Noir producers, and, given the vintage challenges, this is a superb group indeed. Here, volume, depth and richness are all combined with clearly stated red cherry fruit with a hint of berryish sweetness carried brilliantly by the solid, slightly open, supple and lively mouthfeel. Its flavors hold on and on at the end, and if one can spot a bit of late-arriving heat, it will be ameliorated in service with rich foods like duck breasts in a savory wine sauce or a juicy rib roast.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Pinot Noir Reserve boasts the most saturated dark plum/ruby color of these Pinots, along with copious aromas of forest floor, red and black currants and earth. This well-endowed, rich, medium to full-bodied Pinot offers terrific purity, abundant texture and richness, a broad, Cote de Nuits-like, savory, floral and foresty character, and an exceptionally long finish. Enjoy this profound Russian River Pinot over the next 7-10 years.
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Wine Spectator
A rich, full-blown expression of ripe dark berry flavors, with raspberry, boysenberry, black licorice and subtle floral and spice notes. The texture is both supple and firm, leading to a lingering finish. Drink now through 2023. 343 cases made.
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Donum is a leader in single-vineyard, single-appellation Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Northern California. Donum's terroir-driven wines reflect the energy and complexity of some of the most celebrated regions in Northern California, including Carneros, Russian River Valley, and Anderson Valley.
Donum's winemaking philosophy has never wavered: to make the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California while also preserving natural resources. Donum is Latin for Gift, and the Donum team considers wine to be a gift of the land. Donum respects this gift by keeping its focus on healthy, living soils. Donum achieved the highest level of organic certification as one of the first wineries in Sonoma County to achieve Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) status for all its Estate vineyards. Donum's farming and winemaking team are constantly innovating and testing new techniques and farming practices including soil enrichment, integrated pest management, and encouraging biodiversity around the vineyards. Donum is also certified organic from the California Certified Organic Farming Association (CCOF).
Founded in 2001, the Donum Estate is located in the acclaimed wine region of Carneros, nestled between Napa and Sonoma Counties. The Estate includes a winemaking facility, a contemporary hospitality experience, an organic farm and one of the largest accessible private sculpture collections in the world – The Donum Collection. With more than 50 monumental works of art – of which over a third are site-specific – the evolving Collection brings together a global community of artists and leading practitioners from 18 nations across 6 continents, including Ai Weiwei, Ghada Amer, Doug Aitken, Lynda Benglis, Louise Bourgeois, Keith Haring and Subodh Gupta.
At the intersection of fine wine, sustainable farming and world-class art, Donum connects a global community and creates holistic, sensory wine experiences that have made it an international destination. For more information and to inquire about a private tasting experience reservation, please visit www.thedonumestate.com. Follow @DonumEstate on Instagram and Facebook and join the conversation using #TheDonumEstate.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.