Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Carneros Pinot Noir is deep ruby in color, with aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, dried cranberry, and the signature note of Donum Vineyard, sassafras. The palate offers wild blueberry, blackberry, caramel, and a hint of sea salt. The finish is lush, with rich baking spice lingering.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lots of blue fruit here with tile and terra cotta. Some crushed stone, too. Full-bodied with a dusty texture and lots of dark fruit, as well as some watermelon. Creamy texture. Beautiful now, but will improve with age.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a juicy, lengthy and broadly expansive wine, herbal and spicy throughout. A showcase of the estate, it offers substantial structure and density, with rich layers of boysenberry, black tea and baking-spiced oak.
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Wine Spectator
Rich and deeply flavored, with dried beef accents to the broad-textured dried red cherry and berry flavors. The juicy and succulent finish is well-spiced and backed by rich acidity.
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.