Donelan Kobler Family Vineyard Syrah 2014 | 96 point Côte Rôtie look-alike | Exclusive
The Donelan Kobler Family Vineyard Syrah 2014 is opaque ruby with purple hues. Lavish aromas of crushed rose petal, thyme, lavender, incense, and black olives lift from the glass. Powerful and deeply layered, but light on its feet revealing blackberry, black plum, kirsch, slate-like minerality and lightly smoked game. An elegant and expressive example of cool climate Russian River Syrah. Drink now through 2025. Donelan Family Wines rates 95 Points from Wine Access.
Shiraz-Viognier: A marriage made in heaven
The Donelan Kobler Family Vineyard Syrah 2014 is gorgeous. Inky, powerful and intense, but with a striking aromatic lift from the 10% co-fermented Viognier, the 2014 is a total knock-out. Black pepper, sage, violet, lavender and a host of blue/purplish notes infuse the creamy finish. The 50% whole clusters add complexity but are not overpowering. Put simply, this is a stunning wine from Donelan. 96 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
Syrah – Viognier Côte Rôtie like blend
Blended of 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier and aged in oak for 21 months in entirely used oak, the Donelan Kobler Family Vineyard Syrah 2014 has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and nose of cru blackberries, black plums and black currants with underlying hints of tar, licorice, black olives and black pepper. Medium-bodied and quite elegant in the mouth, the perfumed layers exude wonderful energy and persistence while the grainy tannins lend savory chewiness to the fruit and spice. 508 cases were made.
Explore today’s finds at Wine Access
“The Donelan Kobler Family Vineyard Syrah 2014 is another Côte Rôtie look-alike,” gushed former Wine Advocate critic Jeb Dunnuck in a 95-point review. Echoing Robert Parker’s own praise for Donelan’s Kobler Syrahs in comparing them to “Guigal single-vineyard Côte-Rôtie” with their “elegance and complexity.” But Antonio Galloni said it best: “Put simply, this is a stunning wine from Donelan.” Galloni’s 96-point score puts it in the same league as 2014 Syrahs from legendary producers Kongsgaard and Sine Qua Non. Producing a mere 508 cases with every last one destined either for the Donelan mailing list — or for Wine Access clients. You won’t find them anywhere else.
Donelan Family Wines
Patriarch and Donelan Family Wines founder Joe Donelan, and his sons Tripp and Cushing consider it their mission to let their world-class vineyard sites do all the talking. They seek out unique, under-the-radar vineyards that they can usher to prominence because purchasing fruit from any big-name vineyard that can be found on dozens of other producers’ labels is simply not the Donelans’ style. “We always wanted to find unique sites and build them up.
The Donelans have found worthy partners in Mike and Otto Kobler, who tend the Kobler Family Vineyards. Exclusively grown on the extreme eastern end of the Russian River Valley’s Green Valley sub-appellation. The site has been a Donelan family mainstay for more than a decade. In addition, the Syrah and Viognier grown at the fog-blanketed site go exclusively into the Donelans’ single-vineyard wine.
We’re equally happy opening this wine at a holiday dinner as we are with take-out gyros. It just works on many levels.
Buy 3 – get a Portfolio Tasting
For Wine Access buyers who purchase 3 bottles or more. Donelan Family Wines will also include a complimentary Portfolio tasting for 4 people at their tasting room in Santa Rosa, CA (a $120 value), giving you the chance to explore the breadth of their portfolio of highly-rated Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rhône blends on your next visit to wine country. Contact the winery ([email protected] | 707.591.0782) to set up your tasting appointment.