I had never heard of Donati until I started researching Paicines AVA wines. We visited their tasting room in Templeton (Paso Robles) (there really aren’t any tasting rooms in Paicines itself, just vineyards) to find a wine for my Paicines AVA wine class. We found a respectable, tasty Claret (Bordeaux blend) which was quite well received. I also got to taste their Family Reserves, which are mighty fine. And we discovered they bottle some of their wines in jugs, labeled “Naughty Donati.” Jut some fun facts for you.
This information was distilled previously from the Donati Family Vineyard website: Ron Donati grew up in South San Francisco, the son of a first generation Italian-American family. One of his fondest memories was the sights and smells of his grandfather making wine in his basement. Ron, a successful businessman, first bought the vineyard for his son Matt to grow high quality, unique grapes for purchase by others. Soon, after rave reviews of the fruit, he got to thinking…good grapes make great wine. So, he stopped selling and started making own wine. Donati Family Vineyard makes approachable everyday wines, but also family-named reserves for a special occasion.
Also taken earlier from their website: “The Donati Family Estate Vineyard site enjoys a variety of soils from limestone to decomposed granite to clay loam, and access to the cooling ocean breezes of the Monterey Bay. Like much of southern Napa, Sonoma, and Monterey counties, Paicines has long warm days followed by cool nights. “It’s a lot cooler than people think it would be here”, says Matt. “On the UC Davis scale of growing areas and heat where Region I is the coolest and V the warmest, Paicines is a cool Region II.” The vineyard is planted to various select clones of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Petit Verdot. Vine selections are carefully screened for viral diseases prior to planting, ensuring that the future of the vineyard is secure, and that vine health and fruit integrity remain intact from planting through harvest.” Their red wines are matured in both French and American oak for 12-18 months.
I am presenting 3 of their Family Reserves in today’s blog: 2014 Malbec, 2014 Merlot, and the 2015 GSM.
2014 Donati Malbec Family Reserve, Paicines, 13.5% ABV, $45 (12*) 90% Malbec, 10% Merlot
Wine Enthusiast Review: “Pure blackberry aromas are lifted by dark chocolate and mint on the nose of this reserve bottling from a historic wine-growing region south of Hollister. There’s a sweet touch at first to the palate, but then gravelly tannins and zesty acidity delivers flavors of black plum, elderberry jam and tarragon. It is still quite young, and will improve in the cellar.” 92 points, Matt Kettmann 05/2018
We tasted this wine back at the beginning of the pandemic in late March, before I was writing reviews. If you like a delicious, big Malbec, try this one out – it disappeared rather quickly in my house. 141 cases of this Malbec were produced.
2014 Donati Merlot Family Reserve, Paicines, 14.7% ABV, $45 (115*)
Merlot was the theme for one of our virtual wine tastings in August. I had two Merlots parked in DC for my next in-person wine class, which was not meant to be. What else did I have in my wine room? The 2014 Donati Merlot Family Reserve!
nicewines.com Review: “Pure blackberry aromas are lifted by dark chocolate and mint on the nose of this reserve bottling from a historic wine-growing region south of Hollister. There’s a sweet touch at first to the palate, but then gravelly tannins and zesty acidity delivers flavors of black plum, elderberry jam and tarragon. It is still quite young, and will improve in the cellar.”
My Review: A dark red, dense-looking wine. Rich and juicy on the palate, brimming with cherry and cedar notes. A touch of leather and tartness on the finish. Definitely decant or let this wine open up to get the full flavors. In our wine class this week, we all shared the same sentiment: decant your Merlots! August 2020
2015 Donati GSM Family Reserve, Paicines AVA, 13.9% ABV, $45 (#74*) 54% Syrah, 42% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre
Wine Enthusiast Review: “This blend…offers oregano, peppercorns and salted beef against a plummy backdrop on the nose. The mouthfeel is full and chalky, delivering flavors of roasted black plum and dried herbs.” 90 points, Matt Kettmann, 12/2018
My Review: Pleasant nose of red fruit. Spicy cinnamon, blackberry and cherry with some tobacco on the palate – smooth but a bit of acidity and tannic harshness on the finish. June 2020
Check out their current releases here. They have 50% off FedEx shipping (as of 10/28/2020) (some exclusions apply). Make a reservation to taste their wines in Templeton here.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
© Decanting Monterey 2020
Recent Comments