Reviews & Ratings

2010 Donelan Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French) "Walker Vine Hill"

Winery: Donelan

Vintage: 2010

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Walker Vine Hill"

Wine Category: Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French)

Grape blend: 100% Syrah

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Russian River Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $45

Cases produced: 350

KWG Score: 91.4 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91)

Review date: February 18, 2013

Wine Review: This opaque and dark ruby colored Syrah from Donelan opens with a fragrant black raspberry and ripe plum like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, nicely balanced, lush and fruit forward. The flavor profile is a ripe plum with nicely integrated notes of minerality and dark chocolate. I also detected hints of blueberry, red currant and oak. The finish is dry and its mild tannins are refined and do not interfere with the fruit as it glides away nicely. This Syrah is quite food friendly and would pair well with a filet mignon. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: 2010 was a heartbreaking vintage for Walker Vine Hill. Quality was superb, but heat spikes at the end of August forced the loss of nearly 50% of the crop. While we are set up well to perform this kind of selection, the exquisite nature of the final wine sends one into thoughts of “what might have been.” This is an intense wine and as aromatically interesting as ever with cassis, anise, its classic blueberry, and herb encrusted roast game. The mouth feel is a textural representation of silk if there ever was one but with focus and tension on the finish. This wine is a fruit lover's dream but neither over done nor exhausting: another beauty.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Donelan 2010 Walker Vine Hill Syrah.