2016 West Slope Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
This red has a silky mouthfeel, with juicy richness to the sandalwood, plum tart and dried raspberry flavors. Cedary hints come in midpalate, with tightly wound notes of chocolate, spice and dried meat on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 240 cases made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Rose petals, strawberries, and smoked earth notes as well as subtle background oak all emerge from the 2016 Pinot Noir West Slope. From the oldest vines on the ranch, fully destemmed, and aged in 90% new barrels, this beautifully balanced, medium-bodied effort has classic Pinot Noir complexity as well as a sweetly fruited, layered, incredibly sexy style on the palate. It’s ready to go, yet will cruise for a decade on its balance and purity.
The 2016 West Slope Pinot Noir comes from a single vineyard block of the Donum Estate planted entirely to Donum clone and aged in 85% new French oak. Medium ruby-purple colored, it gives up pretty scents of roses, Bing cherries and black raspberries with touches of underbrush, sage and fungi. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe, grainy texture and plenty of freshness to lift the red fruit to a long, juicy finish. 240 cases produced.
About the producer
Donum is a leading estate in Northern California. Based in Carneros, the property’s focus is crafting single-site Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Carneros, the Russian River Valley, Anderson Valley and Sonoma Coast. The estate is also dotted with one of the finest sculpture collections in the world.