2015 Donelan Cuvée Moriah
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Tasting notes
The 2015 Grenache Cuvée Moriah is 62% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, and 18% Syrah that saw a fair bit of whole cluster (mostly with the Grenache and Mourvèdre) and aging in more neutral oak. This medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant Rhône blend offers perfumed notes of herbes de Provence, white and black pepper, and ample sweet currant and blackberry fruit. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years. This is another brilliant lineup of wines from the Donelan Family, with the wines made by Joe Nielson. While their estate Obsidian Vineyard was lost in the fires last year, they’re already in the process of planning and replanting the site, and I was thrilled to taste through a small retrospective from what’s unquestionably one of the great terroirs in California. Looking at the 2015s, which are by and large the current releases, these are structured, tannic wines that are going to benefit from short term cellaring.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A blend of 62% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 18% Syrah, the medium garnet-purple colored 2015 Cuvee Moriah has a stunning nose of crushed black cherries, redcurrants and blackberries with touches of tilled soil, garrigue, black pepper and violets. Full-bodied with a taut frame of velvety tannins and background freshness supporting the generous fruit, it finishes long and layered.
The 2015 Cuvée Moriah, Donelan's Grenache/Mourvèdre/Syrah blend is gorgeous. Pliant, open and seductive, the 2015 hits all the right notes. Tobacco, red cherry, flowers, cedar, licorice, game and worn-in leather add layers of dimension, but it is the wine's balance that impresses most. The 2015 has a bit more Mourvèdre than is the norm.