2025 Donum Estate, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Carneros.
Another interesting wine found at the Slow Wine tasting in San Francisco, was Donum Estate’s impossibly pale Rosé of Pinot Noir from their vines in Carneros, which was intensely dry and mineral focused, a really refreshing example of how less is more and the importance of delicacy. Sadly this micro bottling is wildly expensive, such the pity, as I really liked the wine with its whisper pale hue in the glass and light vibrancy on the palate, it gives hints of ruby grapefruit, sour cherry, wild strawberry and lingers nicely. Aromatic in the glass with a touch of rose petal and wet stone, this Rosé would certainly be a winner this Spring and Summer with a more realistic price, but those that get this as a gift will be happy and rewarded with this fine effort. The Rosé saw a gentle press and fermentation in tank to capture the purest form as possible, with rewarding results. This Rosé, is a rare gem, and I can see it being a nice distraction from world events and bring a lot of sunny smiles.
The Donum Estate, based in Carneros, is taking the lead in Northern California on regenerative farming and wine production, and is best known for their stellar lineup of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. I was thrilled to re-visit the Donum lineup recently, it had been a while and I was happy to see that the wines have definitely reached new heights and show exceptional finesse in doing so, I was especially thrilled by their Savoy Vineyard Chardonnay, and this unique Rosé of Pinot Noir, along with the Estate Pinot Noir. Donum’s winemaking philosophy, according to the winery, is to craft terroir driven small lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, while preserving natural resources and being in tune with their environment. They say it begins with creating a balance in nature where the vines thrive and yield the highest quality fruit possible with minimal intervention, which certainly shows here. I was highly impressed with what was poured into my glass and Donum looks to have successfully found a real vein of form.
($50 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive