Donum Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2012
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Alcohol-wise, Donum’s 2012 Pinot Noir Estate Reserve is one of their bigger efforts coming in at 14.7%. However, the alcohol does not show whatsoever. This dark ruby/plum-hued Pinot reveals great finesse along with beautiful floral notes intermixed with blueberry, boysenberry and cherry fruit, and no noticeable oak, heat or alcohol. This medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured Pinot Noir comes across like a premier cru from Chambolle-Musigny. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
A wine that begs for time in the bottle, it stubbornly reveals bold, brawny and rich notes of black cherry, coffee and black pepper, girded by a strong presence of dark chocolate. Amid the black cherry are accompanying flavors of brambly blackberry and a suggestion of savory cranberry, all integrating with the tannins. Cellar through 2022. Cellar Selection
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Connoisseurs' Guide
From the very first sniff, this involving young Pinot exhibits the extra richness and range that its “reserve” designation implies, and its exemplary depth is nothing less than riveting. It is one of those wines whose considerable immediate appeals are certain to tempt many into drinking it far too soon, but, while thoroughly satisfying stuff in its youth, it is just as carefully structured as it is impressively filled, and it will repay three to five years of aging with guaranteed dividends.
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Wine Spectator
An intense, rustic, tannic and vibrant effort, quite extracted and dense, featuring plenty of tannins to support the rich blackberry, plum and blueberry notes. The flavors sail along on the finish, with the tannins in tow. Drink now through 2025.
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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.