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2015 Donelan Cuvee Moriah

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

September 24, 2023 - $31

Estimate

RATINGS

93The Wine Advocate

...stunning nose of crushed black cherries, redcurrants and blackberries with touches of tilled soil, garrigue, black pepper and violets. Full-bodied with a taut frame of velvety tannins and background freshness supporting the generous fruit, it finishes long and layered.

93Vinous / IWC

...gorgeous. Pliant, open and seductive, the 2015 hits all the right notes. Tobacco, red cherry, flowers, cedar, licorice, game and worn-in leather add layers of dimension, but it is the wine's balance that impresses most.

93Wine Enthusiast

...balanced, lovely herbal and earthy wine, bright in red berry, sage and white pepper. It offers a length of oak and leather on the finish.

92Jeb Dunnuck

...medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant Rhône blend offers perfumed notes of herbes de Provence, white and black pepper, and ample sweet currant and blackberry fruit.

PRODUCER

Donelan

Donelan is the former Pax Wine Cellars of Sonoma, California, but with a new winemaker and point of view. It is owned by investor and wine connoisseur Joe Donelan, who previously owned the majority interest in Pax Wine Cellars with Pax Mahle, who was Pax's winemaker. Mahle left Pax Winery in 2008 after he and Donelan had a falling out and became involved in a lawsuit. Donelan makes Syrah, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a Rhone-style blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. The winemaker at Donelan is Tyler Thomas. Robert M. Parker Jr. has complimented Donelan's "exceptionally elegant portfoilio" of wines.

REGION

United States, California, Sonoma County

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

VINTAGE

2015 Donelan Cuvee Moriah