Description
Founded by Joe Donelan, who now runs the business alongside his sons Cushing and Tripp, Donelan is a small, boutique Sonoma winery producing Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier. Producing just 8,000 cases per year they prize quality over all other factors. They are becoming known for their exceptionally small-release bottlings of vinous experimentations: clonal varietals, site specific variations and the like. This factor has turned them from being a first-class winery into also being internationally recognised for leading this type of small-batch production.
The 2014 is made with fruit from predominately two vineyards: Steiner Ranch, which is perched high on Sonoma Mountain, and the coastal vineyard, Devoto. In addition to these vineyards, Donelan add a dash of spice from additional small parcels within Bennett Valley which put the finishing touches on a truly exciting wine. Steiner Ranch provides both elegance and structure to the wine. The Pommard clone from the ranch produces a beautiful bouquet of dusty red currant, red apple skin, cardamom, and oranges while the adjacent block of clone 115 provides the backbone and tannin profile. The midpalate is supported by the addition of Devoto Vineyard fruit with its full, fleshy mouth-feel and its beautiful fruit composition; spiced raspberry punches through on the palate with black cherries and herbs. There is a great acidity in this Two Brothers framed by a medium-firm chalkiness, reminiscent of Premier Cru from the Côte de Beaune.