Sign In

2017 Donum Russian River Valley Estate Grown Reserve Pinot Noir

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

February 19, 2023 - $51

Estimate

RATINGS

95Wine Enthusiast

Deeply fragrant in rose petal, this reserve-worthy wine is inviting all around, with a backbone of savory earth, char, clove and forest floor. Structured and complex, it has layers of grippy texture and integrated oak, finishing in feral notes of cardamom and black tea.

94Jeb Dunnuck

Lots of strawberry and raspberry fruits as well as notes of crushed flowers all emerge from this terrific wine.

93Wine Spectator

Ripe, verging on unctuous, with decadently spiced dark fruit and red berry flavors and hints of black fig. The long, rich finish resonates with cocoa powder and cream accents.

REGION

United States, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

TYPE

Red Wine, Pinot Noir

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.