Reviews & Ratings

2012 Donelan Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French) "Cuvee Christine"

Winery: Donelan

Vintage: 2012

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Cuvee Christine"

Wine Category: Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French)

Grape blend: 100% Syrah

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Sonoma County

State or country: CA

Price: $48

Cases produced: 899

KWG Score: 90.5 (based on 6 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: March 23, 2015

Wine Review: This very dark ruby colored Syrah from Donelan opens with a fragrant and attractive blueberry and cherry candy bouquet with hints of dark chocolate. On the palate, this wine is medium to full bodied, balanced and savory. The flavor profile is a tasty Slim Jim and blueberry blend with notes of minerality. I also detected some root beer and a hint of Earl grey tea. The finish is dry and its flavors and dusty tannins are nicely prolonged. This wine is very food friendly and a perfect match for comfort foods. I would pair with beef bourguignon. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: The latest edition of Cuvee Christine exemplifies poise within the Syrah spectrum, from savory to sweet. Named for the matriarch of the Donelan family, and like Christine herself, the wine is focused, complex, and engaging. Fermented with 30% whole cluster in 80% neutral oak, this Syrah is a blend of four different vineyard sites. The 2012 exhibits classic components of braised short-ribs, grilled figs, and graphite, which stand in contrast to the ripe currants and passion fruit on the palate. Built to drink both upon release and in 10 years' time, the tannins are finely woven into a full palate with a bright acidity that will keep the wine young for years to come.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Donelan 2012 Cuvee Christine Syrah.