VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Donnelly Creek

OwnerMary Elke
AppellationAnderson Valley
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 FEL Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $38. Sourced from the estate Savoy Vineyard as well as Ferrington and Donnelly Creek vineyards. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 36% new. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Heady aromas of dark red cherry and berry and cardamom spice. Light to mid weight styled with a gloriously fresh cherry core. A very friendly wine, with dog’s paw tannins, a compliment of oak and a juicy finish. An excellent everyday wine. Score: 90. Reviewed June 19, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2017 On Point Winemaker’s Selection North Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 142 cases, $39. A blend of Donnelly Creek (46%), Gap’s Crown (37%) and Wildcat Mountain (17%) vineyards. Pommard, 115, “828,” and 667. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 21% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Glorious aromas of purple grape, boysenberry, and oak-driven nuts and vanillin. A generous wine in a mid weight plus style, featuring flavors of blackberry and cassis with hints of vanilla and violet candy. The tannic backbone is well-matched and the modest finish hints at a bit of alcoholic warmth. Resembles the popular Meiomi Pinot Noir in flavor profile. Score: 89. Reviewed April 16, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 FEL Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $65. Limited whole cluster inclusion. Aged in French oak barrels, 20% new, for 16 months. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Intriguing aromas of black cherry and exotic spices lead to a middleweight styled wine with flavors of black cherry, mushroom and toast. Easy to like, with suede tannins and a succulent, fruit-filled finish. Impeccably balanced for long-term enjoyment. Score: 93. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Bravium Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., pH 3.42, TA 0.65, 1,934 cases, $34. Released September 1, 2016. Valley Foothills, Donnelly Creek and Wiley Vineyards. Aged 11 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry and cranberry are pressed by more notable aromas of toast and cigar. Light to mid weight flavors of cherry and cranberry shot through with a citrus note. Plenty of oak char and tobacco flavor intervenes. Demurely fruited with a tightlywound, tart cherry finish. The oak continues to dominate the fruit when tasted the following day. Score: 87. Reviewed November 12, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 FEL Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $38. Sourced from top vineyards in Anderson Valley including Ferrington, Donnelly Creek and Savoy. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Inviting aromas of black cherry, woodland spices and mulch. Delicious cherry core accented by a note of cola. Nicely balanced, with refreshing acidity, polite oak, and a celebratory finish. A perfect, well-priced Pinot for everyday drinking. Score: 90. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Elke Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.61, 196 cases, $N/A. 18th vintage under the “Blue Diamond” family label. 20-year-old vines rooted just outside town of Boonville. 100% de-stemmed, brief cold soak, proprietary Burgundy yeast fermentation, aged 11 months in Francois Frères oak barrels, 35% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Light garnet color in the glass. The nose presents scents of purple grape, black raspberry and spice. Light to mid weight in style, with an array of purple fruit flavors encased in supportive tannins, and finishing modestly with good polish. Score: 89. Reviewed July 8, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 FEL Anderson Valley Pinot Gris

14.2% alc., 1, 437 cases, RS 0.35%, $25. Released May 1, 2015. A blend of fruit from Wiley Vineyard, Filigreen Vineyard and Donnelly Creek Vineyard. Harvest Brix 23.6º. Whole cluster pressed, fermented in a 900 gallon French oak oval, small neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. · Light golden yellow with a faint pink caste in the glass. Don’t underestimate Pinot Gris - there is plenty to like in this wine. Aromas of nectarine, peach, melon, pine, herbs and floral bouquet. Bright, crisp, clean and refreshing with flavors of apple, stone fruits, melon, lychee and herbs. The flavors really cling to the palate. A very complex wine that changes over time in the glass, and will perform beautifully at the dinner table. Score: 92. Reviewed May 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 On Point Christinna’s Cuvée North Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 217 cases, $36. A blend of 23% Landy Vineyard, 33% Donnelly Creek Vineyard and 44% Gap’s Crown Vineyard grapes. Aged 15 months in French oak, 19% new. · Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. A delightful blended wine offering aromas of cherry, spice, herb field and cigar box leading to a mid weight core of Bing cherry and spice flavors backed by silky tannins. A very cozy and easy to like wine that finishes with a charge of black cherry and raisin notes. Still styling the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 FEL Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 2,634 cases, $38. Release April 1, 2016. A blend of clones including Pommard, Mt Eden, Martini and Dijon from Donnelly Creek, Savoy, Wiley and Ferrington vineyards. Harvest Brix 24.6º. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Brooding aromas of darker fruits including black cherry. Robust and full-bodied on the palate, with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, Asian 5- spice, and tobacco. Very much a big and riper wine in this vintage with noticeable tannins that ameliorate over time in the glass. The fruit-driven finish lingers with purpose. Score: 90. Reviewed April 22, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 FEL Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., 191 cases, $65. Released February 1, 2017. Harvest Brix average 24.6º. Pommard and Stang clones. 7-day cold soak, 9-day uninoculated primary fermentation, and a 4 to 6-day extended maceration. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Well perfumed with deep aromas of red cherry, ripe strawberry and yeasty dough. Lush and seductive on the palate, with a mid weight plus charge of enticing flavors of black cherry, blueberry, pomegranate and dark chocolate. Very hedonistic like a busty girl with big lips that you just can’t take your eyes off of. Relatively high in alcohol, but nicely balanced with an amazing finish that won’t quit. Score: 93. Reviewed February 25, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Wilde Farm Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., $42. 50% whole cluster, ambient fermentation. Unfined and unfiltered. Winemaker is Pax Mahle. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Demure aromas of black raspberry, exotically spiced cherry, and rose petal leads to mid weight flavors of well-spiced purple fruits accented with oak. The fruit is vivid and a bit sweet in flavor with a wellsustained mid palate. There is some tannic astringency as to be expected with the whole cluster but it is not imposing. This wine should continue to improve in the bottle, offering more nuance and less dry tannin over time. Score: 90-91. Reviewed September 18, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Manross Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 50 cases, $54. 30% whole cluster. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Alluring perfume of cherry pie glaze, cranberry and spice. A charming and somewhat delicate wine that delivers plenty of cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. Oak chimes in subtlety as does the whole cluster producing a bit of herbal seasoning. The modest tannins are fine grain and the cherry driven finish offers a juicy grip of acidity. Impressive harmony. Score: 92. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 On Point Christina’s Cuvée Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 182 cases, $49. Sourced from Donnelly Creek Vineyard. Pommard and Elliot clones. Aged 16 months in 25% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Bright aromas of Bing cherry elevate from the glass. Middleweight core of cherry, spice and cola flavors backed by integrated tannins. The finish is very pleasing, lingering with a kiss of cherry. Score: 90. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Elke Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 196 cases, $36. Release August 2014. 100% de-stemmed, pressed with a basket press, aged 11 months in 35% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Appealing scents of red cherry, raspberry and spice. Bright, crisp and vivid red cherry and berry fruits with a deft touch of herbs and oak. Lighter in this vintage but very elegant and charming. Score: 91. Reviewed July 28, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Elke Vineyards Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.64, 500 cases, $34. Released January 2013. 14th vintage of this wine bottled under the family “Blue Diamond.” 20-year-old vines located just outside the town of Boonville. Five clones cane-pruned and trained using a combination of double-guyot (traditional style of Burgundy) and arc-coeur (lesser known style of Alsace). 100% de-stemmed, inoculated, aged 11 months in 35% new Francois Frères oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose draws you into the glass with effusive aromas of dark cherries and berries, spice and oak. Impressive attack of black cherry and black raspberry fruits embracing toast and vanilla-infused oak, balanced tannins and a finish that makes you sit up and take notice. Gets better over time in the glass. Very good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Elke Vineyards Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.9, TA 0.65, 840 cases, $34. 5 clones of Pinot Noir are grown in this vineyard located just outside the town of Boonville. Aged 11 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color with a slight haze in the glass. Well-perfumed with vibrant scents of dark stone fruits, leather and oak. Very smoothly textured on the palate with a tasty core of plums, black raspberries and a brewed tea note. Well-proportioned t n’ a. Still a Lolita in need of a few years of cellaring. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Elke Vineyards Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.90, TA 0.65, 840 cases, $34, released May 1, 2011. 100% de-stemmed, inoculated primary and native secondary fermentations. Aged 11 months in 30% new French oak. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Cherry and herbal oak aromas with a little horse saddle funk (? Brett). Flavors of plum, black cherry and herbs with mild, firm tannins and a soft mouth feel. Good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Elke Vineyards Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.90, 740 cases, $34. Released in the spring 2009. This vineyard is located just outside the town of Boonville and is planted to five clones of Pinot Noir. Aged 11 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · This wine has aged nicely in the bottle since tasted last year. Lovely oak-kissed berry fruit with a hint of barnyard. Savory dark red berry fruits are featured with a silky texture and a grip of tannin on the pleasing finish. Very good. Reviewed June 8, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Elke Vineyards Blue Diamond Donnelly Creek Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 650 cases, $38. · This is a beautifully balanced wine of great interest and charm. The nose offers concord grape, barnyard and hay aromas. Showy dark fruits are encased in earth and mushroom flavors which are filled out with a deft touch of oak. The wine grows in the glass, offering a blanket of fruit but an appealing restraint that leads to softness and finesse. Reviewed June 9, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Elke Vineyards Donnelly Creek Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 650 cases, $38. 100% de-stemmed, inoculated with Burgundy yeast, 11 months in 30% new French oak barrels, unfined and unfiltered. Released in November 2007. · Moderately light in color. Complex aromatic profile of black cherries, barnyard, chocolate and root beer. Very tasty dark cherry and berry fruit flavors blanket the palate with some underlying earthiness and a subtle touch of oak. Clean and pure with soft tannins and admirable finesse. A very good wine that will continue to charm for years to come. Reviewed May 26, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Breggo Cellars Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $55. · Reticent, but pleasant nose of spiced black cherries. Plush and creamy on the palate, tasting of plum reduction sauce. Fine tannins, clean finish. I like this one a lot. Reviewed June 9, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Elke Vineyards Blue Diamond Donnelly Creek Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 550 cases, $30. · Ripe strawberries are pronounced in the nose and on the palate. Pleasing mid palate elegance, persistence and length with dusty tannins and herbs on the finish. Burgundian-styled and very likeable. Reviewed April 30, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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