Donelan Wine at Flickinger Wines

Qty	Wine	Subtotal

0	Order Subtotal	$0.00

Producer

Vint.

Wine

Price

Qty

Order

USA Red

Donelan

2014

Cushing’s Block Barbed Oak Vyd. Pinot Noir

$69

JD 95 (7/2017): Coming from a single block in the Barbed Oak Vineyard located in Bennet Valley, the 2014 Pinot Noir Cushing’s Block is a ripe, sweetly fruited and downright sexy beauty that offers classic Pinot fruit as well as complex forest floor, rose petals and spring flowers aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied, plush, incredibly elegant 2014 has a silky texture, fine tannin and a great finish. While it’s drinking beautifully today it will easily keep for a decade. It’s much more seamless and approachable than either of the 2013s.

WA 94+ (2/2017): Coming from the Calera clone planted to gravelly soil, this vintage of Cushing’s Block was produced with 30% whole cluster and aged in French barrels for 16 months, 25% new. Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Cushing’s Block gives pronounced earthy notes of forest floor, damp earth and fungi over scents of warm cranberries, pomegranate, red currants and violets. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of opulent red fruits accented by earthy/herbal notes, it has a solid frame of grainy tannins and lively acid, finishing with great length.

VM 93 (3/2017): An addition to the range, 2014 Pinot Noir Cushing's Block emerges from Barbed Oak Vineyard in Bennett County. Dark red cherry, plum, blood orange and exotic spice give the wine its alluring personality. Deep, pliant and expressive, the 2014 is a real beauty. This is an impressive debut. Antonio Galloni.

2016

Cushing’s Block Barbed Oak Vyd. Pinot Noir

$69

JD 94 (6/2019): In a completely different style compared to the Tripp's Block Pinot Noir, the 2016 Pinot Noir Cushing's Block comes from the Barbed Oak Vineyard in Bennett Valley and is a mix of Calera, Swan, and Pommard clones. It offers a ripe, exotic bouquet of plums, macerated black cherries, blood orange, sage, and spices. Deep, medium to full-bodied, and ripe, it nevertheless stays pure and beautifully balanced, with considerable elegance. It benefits from a decant and, like Tripp's Block, it will keep for over a decade. (Drink between 2019-2029).

VM 94 (5/2019): The 2016 Pinot Noir Cushing's Block emerges from Barbed Oak Vineyard in Bennett Valley and is the deepest of the three Donelan Pinots. Pliant and inviting, with lovely top notes, the 2016 is super-expressive today, not to mention a real beauty. All the best elements of the Donelan house style are deftly balanced in this impeccable, absolutely delicious wine. (Drink between 2020-2031). Antonio Galloni.

2011

Cuvee Keltie Syrah

$59

WA 93 (12/2013): The 2011 Cuvee Keltie, which came in under 14% alcohol, spent 22 months in neutral wood, and 100% whole stems were used. The wine reveals a chocolaty, smoky, bacon-scented nose that at first suggests a French Cote Rotie, but as it hits the palate with its full-bodied creme de cassis, blackberry, charcoal and graphite personality, it moves more toward a single vineyard Hermitage from the likes of Chapoutier. This supple, rich 2011 can be drunk now or cellared for a decade.

VM 92+ (2/2014): The 2011 Syrah Cuvée Keltie is a selection of the best barrels in the cellar from Walker Vine Hill, Obsidian, Richards and Steiner. One of the darker 2011s here, the Cuvée Keltie boasts terrific depth, power and raciness. Black fruit, smoke, licorice and incense flow through to the finish. This resonant, expressive Syrah could use another year or two in bottle to fully assimilate the 80% whole clusters. Today the 2011 is deep, dense and a bit compact, yet full of promise. (Drink between 2015-2023). Antonio Galloni.

JD 91 (6/2019): While the 2011 Syrah Cuvee Keltie isn’t at the same level as the other vintages here, it’s nevertheless a beautiful wine. Medium-bodied notes of cracked pepper, smoked earth, graphite, and sweet black fruits all emerge from this fresh, elegant Syrah that has terrific balance, moderate depth and richness, and outstanding length. It’s drinking nicely today yet is still youthful and lively, and I’m sure will continue drinking nicely for another decade. (Drink between 2019-2029).

2010

Cuvee Moriah Proprietary Blend

$50

JD 89-91 (12/2011): I was able to taste each component destined for the 2010 Donelan Cuvée Moriah and this cuvee always excels aromatically, and this vintage is no exception. Sporting already complex notions of herbs de Provence, pepper, earth, and meaty characteristics, each component was medium-bodied, well balanced, and possessed an overall fresh, pure character. Lighter styled and elegant, this will most likely benefit from 1-3 years of bottle age, and have upwards of a decade of prime drinking.

VM 88-90 (2/2012): Donelan's 2010 Cuvee Moriah is a blend of 54% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah fermented with 25-50% whole clusters depending on the variety. Mint, licorice, tar, smoke and blackberries are some of the notes that take shape in the glass as this intensely aromatic wine opens up in the glass. Today the tannins are a bit firm and I get a sense the fruit may not have achieved full ripeness. It will be interesting to see how the wine develops after bottling. Antonio Galloni.

2013

Cuvee Moriah Proprietary Blend

$50

JD 93 (7/2017): 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.

2014

Cuvee Moriah Proprietary Blend

$55

VM 94 (3/2017): The 2014 Cuvée Moriah is a bit different in this vintage in that there is no Syrah in the blend. As a result, the 2014 is mostly Grenache with about 16% Mourvedre. Not surprisingly, the Grenache is especially expressive. Succulent red berry, tobacco, dried herbs and anise are all nicely pushed forward, while silky tannins add to an impression of total finesse. Pliant yet also medium in body, the 2014 possesses exceptional balance and class. The 50-60% whole clusters are not especially evident, as they are very well integrated into the overall fabric. Antonio Galloni.

2013

Kobler Family Vyd. Syrah

$60

JD 95 (7/2017): Coming from the Green Valley region of the Russian River Valley (this is a cooler terroir), the 2013 Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard is always cofermented with a big chunk of Viognier (10% in 2013) and is aged mostly in neutral oak. It offers an ethereal, elegant and seamless style as well as classic notes of black raspberries, white pepper, rose petals and white cherries (no doubt from the Viognier). Nuanced and deep, with a great finish, it’s never the largest scaled wine in the lineup, but it shines for it complexity and incredible elegance. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.

2014

Kobler Family Vyd. Syrah

$60

VM 96 (3/2017): The 2014 Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard is gorgeous. Inky, powerful and intense, but with striking aromatic lift from the 10% co-fermented Viognier, the 2014 is a total knock-out. Black pepper, sage, violet, lavender and a host of blue/purplish notes infuse the creamy finish. The 50% whole clusters add complexity, but are not overpowering. Put simply, this is a stunning wine from Donelan. (Drink between 2017-2024). Antonio Galloni.

JD 95 (7/2017): The 2014 Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard is another Côte Rôtie look-alike that offers lots of cool-climate, pretty, peppery, and herbal notes as well as medium to full-bodied richness, loads of blackcurrants, black olive and violet nuances, integrated acidity and polished, fine tannin. It’s beautifully balanced and elegant, yet has enough structure to evolve for a decade or more. The 2014 was cofermented with 10% Viognier and brought up in neutral oak. As with all young vintages from this estate, give it a decant if drinking soon. This is cool-climate California Syrah done at its finest. (Drink between 2017-2024).

WA 94+ (3/2017): Blended of 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier and aged in oak for 21 months in entirely used oak, the 2014 Syrah Kobler Family Vineyard has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed black berries, black plums and black currants with underlying hints of tar, licorice, black olives and black pepper. Medium-bodied and quite elegant in the mouth, the perfumed layers have wonderful energy and persistence while the grainy tannins lend savory chewiness to the fruit and spice.

2014

Obsidian Vyd. Syrah

$99

JD 97 (6/2018): I was also able to do a small retrospective of the Obsidian Vineyard, which was completely destroyed last year in the fires that ravaged Sonoma and Napa. The 2014 Syrah Obsidian Vineyard is broad and expansive, with a sexy, plush feel that’s in stark contrast to the 2015. Currants, peppery herbs, spice, full body, a stacked mid-palate, and sweet tannin define this sensational Syrah.

2011

Richards Family Vyd. Syrah

$49

VM 89 (1/2015): The 2011 Syrah Richards Family Vineyard comes across as compact and dried out, especially on the mid-palate. Attractive savory notes develop in the glass, but the 2011 lacks freshness and depth. Sweet tobacco, crushed flowers, mint and dried cherries add a measure of nuance, but that is not enough to compensate for an overall faded feeling that runs through the wine. I can't help the 2011 may have ultimately spent too much time in barrel. Antonio Galloni.

2017

Sonoma County Rose

$25

2011

Two Brothers Pinot Noir

$50

VM 92 (2/2014): Dark red/black cherries, wild flowers, mint and licorice meld together in the 2011 Pinot Noir Two Brothers. Savory notes develop in the glass, adding nuance and aromatic complexity. Hints of sage, sweet tobacco, anise and earthiness meld into a juicy finish supported by firm yet well-integrated tannins that should allow the wine to age nicely for a number of years. The 2011 was fermented with 40% whole clusters and spent 18 months in barrel, 20% new. The sites are Steiner Ranch, Perli, Goldrock Ridge, Walker Vine Hill and a dollop of Gap's Crown. (Drink between 2014-2021). Antonio Galloni.

WA 92 (12/2013): The red wines include the 2011 Pinot Noir Two Brothers which comes from four relatively high elevation sources, three in Sonoma and one in Mendocino. It was aged 18 months in 20% new French oak and finished with 14.4% alcohol. Its medium ruby color is followed by seductive aromas of kirsch, strawberries, loamy soil and a hint of oak in the background. A remarkably successful 2011, it is a medium-bodied, velvety, long Pinot Noir to consume over the next 5-7 years.

2012

Two Brothers Pinot Noir

$55

VM 89 (1/2015): Crushed rose petals, raspberries, mint and cinnamon are some of the notes that lift from the glass in Donelan's 2012 Pinot Noir Two Brothers. I would prefer to drink the 2012 sooner rather than later. Over the last year, some of the radiance and sweetness that was present in barrel has faded. Antonio Galloni.

2013

Two Brothers Pinot Noir

$49

VM 91 (2/2016): The 2013 Pinot Noir Two Brothers is pretty, floral and lifted, all qualities that make it quite appealing for near and medium-term drinking. Crushed flowers, sweet red berries and cinnamon are all given an extra kick of savory lift from the 30% whole clusters. The Two Brothers is now a Sonoma County wine. Antonio Galloni.

2013

Walker Vine Hill Syrah

$59

JD 97+ (7/2017): One of the larger scaled examples of this cuvee I’ve tried, the 2013 Syrah Walker Vine Hill saw only partial destemming and 20 months in 25% new French oak. Reminding me a great vintage of Hermitage Les Bessards from Delas, it boasts phenomenal notes of crème de cassis, graphite, roasted herbs, melted licorice and burning embers. Rich, voluptuous, seriously ripe and decadent, yet with density, tannin and structure, it needs 3-4 years of cellaring (it needs an hour decant or more if drinking today) and will have two decades of overall longevity. This is what great California Syrah tastes like!

USA White

Donelan

2015

Venus Proprietary Blend (1.5 L)

$119

JD 88 (6/2019): The 2015 Venus is cut from the same cloth yet doesn’t have the texture or density of the 2014. White currants, white peach, and citrus notes as well as a touch of salty minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant, streamlined white that’s going to continue drinking nicely for another 7-8 years (probably longer).

2016

Venus Proprietary Blend

$40

JD 92 (6/2018): The 2016 Venus is a Roussanne-dominated white that includes 5% Viognier, sourced mostly from the Dry Stack Vineyard (the Viognier comes from the Kobler Vineyard). It offers clean, pure, vibrant Roussanne notes of white currants, white flowers, and citrus to go with a steely, focused style on the palate. A classic example of this variety, it’s going to benefit from a year in bottle and keep for a decade or more. This is another brilliant lineup of wines from the Donelan Family, with the wines made by Joe Nielson. While their estate Obsidian Vineyard was lost in the fires last year, they’re already in the process of planning and replanting the site, and I was thrilled to taste through a small retrospective from what’s unquestionably one of the great terroirs in California. Looking at the 2015s, which are by and large the current releases, these are structured, tannic wines that are going to benefit from short term cellaring.

WA 91 (6/2018): A blend of 95% Roussanne and 5% Viognier, the 2016 Venus opens with gorgeous white peach, spiced pears and apple tart with touches of orange blossom and beeswax. Medium to full-bodied with a lovely satiny texture and great freshness, it finishes long and spicy. 200 cases were made.

VM 90 (4/2018): The 2016 Venus is a classy, understated Roussanne-based white. The apricot, floral and chamomile notes are nicely delineated. This is an especially hushed white that speaks softly. Silky and nuanced, the Venus is all class. (Drink between 2018-2023). Antonio Galloni.