Description
The sole vineyard owned by Donelan Family Winery, Obsidian is the most unique place they cultivate and absolutely bathed in terroir. On a steep perch rising above the Franz Valley floor in Knight’s Valley, Obsidian seems to want for water even amid rainstorms. The vines struggle mightily to produce canes and leaves, the berries are tiny, yields are unbelievably low and flavour concentration is ethereal. Year on year it has produced stunning wines characterised by fullness, minerality and structure that consistently wow critics and consumers alike. Sadly it was ravaged in the wildfires of 2017, however the Donelan family have already replanted and are committed to bringing this incredible wine back to market as soon as the grapes produce fruit of sufficient quality. In the meantime the existing stock will become ever more prized.
As is common for Obsidian, the 2011 was slow to evolve aromatically, but now after six years in bottle has begun to really stretch its legs, expressing flavors of tobacco, lilac, licorice, cherries, and mineral components that form a natural association with the volcanic rock the vines grow in. Despite the comparatively cool 2011 vintage, this iteration of Obsidian has plenty of structure and power, whilst offering a full mid-palate, making for an exceptionally complete wine.