Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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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.
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.