Winemaker Notes
Donna’s is an extraordinary achievement, walking a fine line between power and grace. An intoxicating bouquet of red and purple florals, and savory herbs permeate the glass with that iconic freshly cracked white peppercorn punch. The wine glides across the palate with stewed black plums, blackberries, Spanish olives, and peppered bacon. Sandy-like tannins and racy acidity bring all the flavors together in symphony.
Pair Donna’s with braised lamb shank or short ribs.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This wildly complex cool-climate Syrah begins with aromas of bay and eucalyptus leaf, torn-up asphalt, rainbow peppercorns and herby elderberry on the nose. The palate is explosive with bold flavors of bay, elderberry and even cannabis, sliced through with sharp acidity.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Another wine that shows the fresher style of the estate, the 2020 Syrah Donna's is a tiny production release (there are 800 cases produced) that's not destemmed and comes from a single parcel in their estate vineyard on the northern side of the Sta. Rita Hills. Its semi-opaque ruby/purple color is followed by a medium to full-bodied Syrah with classic notes of red, black, and blue fruits, peppery herbs, game, violets, and salted meats. Beautiful on the palate as well, this seamless, incredibly graceful, and flawlessly balanced effort reminds me of a great Côte Rôtie with its aromatics as well as its elegance and silkiness on the palate. Rating 95+
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Syrah Donna's Block comes from vines planted in pure sand and was vinified using 100% whole clusters. Medium ruby-purple, it has loads of personality! Wild blackberry aromas are streaked with nuances of iron, peppercorn and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate offers intense, herbal fruits supported by chalky tannins and refreshing acidity, and it boasts a long, layered finish replete with floral perfume. I love this combination of earthy wildness and pretty floral fruit. Best After 2022.
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James Suckling
Lots of orange blossom, orange peel, leather, white spice and dark fruit. Full and dense yet agile and bright. Reserved, with a lovely finish. Delicious to drink but will improve with age.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.