Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2013 Cuvee Moriah is 87% Grenache and 13% Syrah that’s all from the Dry Stack Vineyard in the Bennett Valley. It has a gorgeous (as well as complex) bouquet of ripe cherries, cranberry, dried flowers and incense. This carries to an ethereally textured, elegant Grenache that that has sweet fruit, medium-bodied richness and a great finish. It’s not going to make old bones, but it’s going to be impossible to resist over the coming 4-5 years. This may be my favorite vintage of this cuvee to date.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Donelan has always been one of the top practitioners of Rhône Ranger-style wines and continues to make a bevy of these, primarily from Syrah, but Grenache also enters the picture, especially with the 2013 Cuvée Moriah, a blend of 87% Grenache and 13% Syrah. They use about 45% whole clusters, and the Grenache emerges from a vineyard that I absolutely adore for its Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek’s Dry Stack Vineyard. A beautiful dark ruby color as well as fragrant notes of lavender, kirsch and strawberry soar from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, sexy and irresistible wine. It is juicy, supple, and best drunk over the next 4-5 years.
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.