Grapelive Special Review
By Kerry Winslow
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2007 Donum Estate Pinot Noir Carneros.
I keep falling for this wine more with every vintage, and this 2007 Donum Carneros just might be the best yet, and it has really improved in the last 6 months! I’ve tasted this vintage many times now and it just gets more impressive with each go. Last year I quite liked their Russian River offering, and it was hard to choose between them, but this year is no contest with the Carneros easily taking the crown. The nose is full of wildflowers, sweet smoke, and red berries before a lush and silky palate of raspberry, plum and candied cherries. The round and smooth texture gives the wine a real fullness and warmth, but everything is alive and vibrant too. Hints of truffle, mocha and tea spices all dance in the background with a touch of mineral and ending with vanilla. This wine is modern and ripe, though it has something elegant and intriguingly Burgundy like about it, and there isn’t much made. ($67 Est.) 94-95 Points, grapelive
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