2009 Obsidian Vineyard Syrah
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Tasting notes
Another wine flirting with perfection is the 2009 Syrah Obsidian Vineyard. It tastes as if it came from Michel Ogier’s Cote Brune vineyards in northern Cote Rotie. A potentially legendary Syrah, it exhibits notes of charcuterie, roasted meats, bouquet garni, blackberries, black raspberries and charcoal. The wine reveals wonderful sucrosity from the sweet tannins, ripe, but not over-ripe fruit, full body, and a finish that lasts 50 seconds. This remarkable Syrah should be a modern day legend in California. It will age effortlessly for 10-15+ years. 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
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Another stellar wine, 2009 Syrah Obsidian Vineyard is fabulous today. In 2009, the Obsidian has a little more fruit, richness and sheer volume, all of which serve to balance some of the wilder notes of this cool-climate, marginal site. Dark, sensual and alluring, the 2009 Obsidian is firing on all cylinders today. This full-throttle Syrah should drink well for another decade, perhaps beyond.
Sporting straight up gorgeous, savory aromatics of smoked bacon, wet slate, graphite, dark chocolate, and hints of game, the 2009 Donelan Syrah Obsidian Vineyard, 100% Syrah fermented with 40% Stem inclusion, is a profound wine that demonstrates the heights Syrah can hit in California when grown in the right places and make by the right people. Medium to full-bodied with a very tight, compact feel that gives way with air, this shows brilliantly focused, pure fruit, a seamless texture, and massive amounts of structure and substance that builds through middle, and really shows on the finish. There are huge bones here, with the only question being if it will fill in with time. I'm bullish and think that it will; however, while I was going to say hide these in the cellar for 5-7 years, I'm backing off that slightly and would check in on bottles in the 3-5 years time frame. Nevertheless, lovely stuff and one serious Syrah.