Reviews & Ratings

2008 Donelan Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French) "Griffin's Lair"

Winery: Donelan

Vintage: 2008

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Griffin's Lair"

Wine Category: Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French)

Grape blend: 100% Syrah

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Sonoma Coast

State or country: CA

Price: $45

Cases produced: 190

KWG Score: 94.5 (based on 2 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93)

Review date: February 10, 2011

Wine Review: This opaque and dark purple colored Syrah opens with a fragrant blueberry and new leather bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced, and savory. The flavor profile is a very tasty and extracted blueberry and gentle smoky oak blend with nicely integrated black pepper. The finish is dry and its moderate well managed tannins are pleasant. This Syrah needs food to accompany it and it went perfectly with my Delmonico steak at Grill 23. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2008 Griffin's evokes a sense of winter, not because it has any aromatic similarities to the icy wintry air, but because its aromas of blackberry licorice, dried cherries, and even something like spiced ginger bread transport us to a warm fireside on a crisp evening. This wine's creamy texture and depth seem to bring together two opposing forces: power and subtlety. Layered with complexity that is difficult to deconstruct and revealed only by patience (i.e. subtle), there is also a sense of strength given the wine's tremendous concentration. If you're able to get past repeatedly enjoying the intoxicating nose and actually begin placing the wine in your mouth you'll be rewarded with what might seem a surprising amount of seamlessness in such a youthful and powerful wine. Enjoy!

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Donelan 2008 Griffins Lair Syrah.