Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
From the oldest vines in the vineyard, the 2016 Pinot Noir Donum Vineyard comes from a site in Carneros and spent 15 months in 65% new French oak. Beautiful black raspberry, sous bois, decayed flowers, and savory notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, seamless Pinot Noir that has ripe tannin, a seamless texture, and a great, great finish. It’s another world-class effort from this estate that will compete with the best out there.
-
James Suckling
Attractive, fresh and spicy oak across poached strawberries and cherries. The palate has a very seamless and concentrated style with an array of gently grainy tannins, holding the finish long and juicy. Drink or hold.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Snappy black raspberry, baked cherry and fragrant boysenberry are lifted by a touch of fennel on the nose of this bottling. Full flavors of smashed berry, sweet thyme and peppery spice show on the palate, which makes for a very big and powerful yet clean and fresh wine.
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.