2014 Donelan Venus
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The 2014 Venus is a Roussanne/Viognier blend (it’s 95% Roussanne) that’s from cooler climate sites in Sonoma County. It has a beautiful bouquet of honeyed white currants, orange marmalade, crushed rock, and white flowers, and this beauty hits the palate with a rich, full-bodied, layered style. It has bright acidity, an awesome texture, and a big finish. I’d put it up against anything coming out of the Rhône, and it’s going to continue drinking beautifully for over a decade.
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Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
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The 2014 Venus (Roussanne/Viognier) is a blend of 95% Roussanne and 5% Viognier. Unlike most California white Rhône Rangers, this one has a greenish hue to its light gold color, crisp, elegant, flowery notes, terrific acidity, a medium-bodied, complex, highly intellectual aromatic and flavor profile, and beautiful freshness and length. The Roussanne tends to give it rose petal floweriness and body, and the small percentage of Viognier contributes crisp honeysuckle, peach and apricot notes. This is unlike any other blend of these two grapes made in California. Drink it over the next few years.
The 2014 Venus is lovely, soft and understated. Apricot pit, mint, chamomile and dried flowers flesh out nicely in this very pretty, expressive Roussanne/Viognier blend. Veins of supporting acidity give the wine its freshness and sense of overall proportion. There is plenty to like here.