2011 Richards Family Vineyard Syrah

The 2011 Syrah Richards Family Vineyard comes across as compact and dried out, especially on the mid-palate. Attractive savory notes develop in the glass, but the 2011 lacks freshness and depth. Sweet tobacco, crushed flowers, mint and dried cherries add a measure of nuance, but that is not enough to compensate for an overall faded feeling that runs through the wine. I can't help the 2011 may have ultimately spent too much time in barrel.

The 2011 Syrah Richards Family Vineyard is magnificent in the way it expresses the savory notes typical of the year, but with more fruit, silkiness and raciness than the other Donelan Syrahs. A wine of pure texture and class, the 2011 impresses for its overall balance and pure class. Sweet tobacco, licorice, dried rose petal, holiday spice cake, dark cherries, plums and cedar meld into the finish. I can't wait to taste this from bottle. The 2011 was fermented with 80% whole clusters. It is currently aging in barrel (50% new), and is scheduled to be bottled in March 2014.

The 2011 Syrah Richard’s Family is a powerful, rich wine that spent 36 months in wood. It boasts lots of blackberry, black currant, licorice, forest floor and truffle-like notes. Opulent and full-bodied, it is an incredible success for this challenging vintage. Consume it over the next decade. This is one of the most impressive Rhone Ranger winemaking estates in California. They have also expanded their portfolio to make small quantities of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For me, the real glories of Donelan Family Wines are their Syrahs. As the tasting notes suggest, 2011 turned out well here despite the challenges. However, if you can still track down a bottle or two of the 2009s and 2010s, you are in for something very special. Joe Donelan believes their finest wine, representing the best vineyard parcels and top barrel selections is the Cuvee Keltie, which normally comes from specific sub-sections of such vineyard sources as Obsidian, Richard’s Family, Steiner Ranch and Walker Vine Hill. Kudos to Donelan Family Wines! Tel. (707) 591-0782