Donelan Cuvee Moriah 2014
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Enthusiast
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Dunnuck
Jeb
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Wine Enthusiast
This memorable wine blends 84% Grenache from the Dry Stack Vineyard in Bennett Valley with 16% Mourvèdre from the Kopf Vineyard. It's exotic and approachable, offering a rich taste of cherry liqueur and tart pomegranate with a background of soft oak and earthy baking spice
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2014 Cuvee Moriah checks in as a blend of 84% Grenache and 16% Mourvèdre that was just about half destemmed and brought up in neutral barrels. It has a pretty, elegant, and nuanced style similar to a Pinot Noir as well as solid notes of black raspberries, kirsch, flowery incense, and spice box. With terrific purity, nicely integrated acidity, and medium-bodied depth and richness, it’s drinking nicely today yet will easily keep through 2026.
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Dunnuck
Jeb
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Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb
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Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb
At Donelan, they believe that the best wines are not made but discovered and they take pride in the responsibility and privilege of distilling for your pleasure the greatest qualities and natural variations in a vineyard and a variety. They start with great terroir, because site trumps all variables, and then proceed with extreme selectivity, conscientious winemaking, and extensive blending trials.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
With boundaries overlapping the Sonoma Coast AVA and Sonoma Mountain AVA, Bennett Valley benefits from the cooling effects of the nearby Pacific Ocean just like its neighbors. Top grapes planted include Barbera, Pinot noir and Chardonnay, as well as Bordeaux and Rhone varieties.