Vineyard: Winside Estate

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

The Donum Estate: 2012 Gifts of the Land (10.6 3/15/2015)
Recent California Pinot Noir Tastings are Inspirational (10.27 3/12/2016)
Small Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.17 9/18/2015)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Stemmler
Donum Estate

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2013 Stemmler Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.77, TA 0.59, 1,052 cases, $28. Bottled August 2014. 61% Dijon 667 and 115 and Pommard from Winside Vineyard, and 39% 777, 115 and Donum clone from the Lawler Vineyard. A blend from many different fermentations. Aged about 10 months in once, twice and three-times-used French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, sous-bois and sandalwood are hi-tone and penetrating. A satisfying mid palate attack of black cherry fruit carries over through a lengthy but warm finish. Notes of ripe strawberry and anise add interest. This is a silky textured, value-priced wine that aims to please. Score: 89. Reviewed September 18, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Stemmler Laura Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.59, 72 cases, $44. In 2012, Donum Estate’s long time vineyard manager moved into the old farmhouse on the Winside property and in 2013 his wife gave birth to a baby girl named Laura. In her honor, this special bottling was sourced from a single block within the vineyard and selected from the three best barrels of Dijon 115 clone. Bottled August 2014. 100% de-stemmed, 6-day cold soak, aged on lees for 10months in 100% French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Brooding but pleasant aromas of blackberry jam, black cherry compote, spice and earth lead to a delicious palate of mid weight plus dark berry and black cherry fruit flavors that veer toward over ripeness but do not cross the line. An exemplary Russian River Valley Pinot Noir showing the typical luscious fruit theme this region is known for. There is good harmony, with the alcohol and tannins tucked into place. Score: 90. Reviewed September 18, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Stemmler Winside Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.59, 1,277 cases, $44. Bottled August 2014. Vineyard planted in 1997 under The Donum Estate’s guidance and vineyard management and was recently acquired by the winery and renamed Winside Vineyard. 11 acres planted to a mix of Dijon 115 and 667, and 5 acres of Pommard which came into production in 2011. This wine is 50% 115, 35% Pommard and 15% 667. 100% de-stemmed, 5 to 7-day cold soak, extended post fermentation maceration of 2 to 14 days, aged on lees for 9 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. A complex array of aromas including spiced black cherry, cassis, hay bale and mushroom lead to deep flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruits in a mid weight style with a tug of nutty oak. Silky on the palate, with firm but balanced tannins, and a decent but not notable finish. Score: 89. Reviewed September 18, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Donum Single Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.58, 890 cases, $72. Anne Moller-Racke planned and planted the Winside Vineyard, formerly the Nugent Vineyard in the mid 1990s, and has farmed the property ever since. Dijon clones 667 and 115 were planted here initially with Pommard added in 2009. All three clones were included in this wine beginning in 2012. A barrel selection that was first offered in 2005. 100% de-stemmed, 6 to 10-day cold soak, slow fermentation with punch downs, and aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 70% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas of cherry liquor and oak draw you into this middleweight styled wine offering crunchy black cherry and dark strawberry fruit flavors. Aggressive on the attack, with a polished mid palate demeanor, and a modest finish. Welcome harmony and easy drink ability. Score: 90. Reviewed March 12, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Donum Single Vineyard Ten Oaks Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

12.9% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.60, 158 cases, $72. Sourced from the Pommard block at Winside Vineyard, named after the ten majestic oak trees that border it on two sides. 15% whole cluster, 7-day cold soak, spontaneous fermentation, pump overs used but punch downs avoided to prevent over-extraction. The wine was aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Haunting aromas of Bing cherry, spice, rose petal and wine cave. Intense attack of crunchy cherry fruit with added complimentary flavors of spice and cherry cola. A teasing wine that draws you in with its appealing crispness. Still highly aromatic the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed March 12, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Donum Single Vineyard Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.59, 293 cases, $90. First introduced in 2009, this wine has consisted of only Dijon clone 667, but in 2013, the Pommard eclipsed the Dijon 667 block and Pommard makes up the majority of the blend. Typically, this is the winery’s richest blend. Long cold soak, extended maceration after primary fermentation, aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 70% new, and the best barrels selected. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of crushed dark cherries emerge with swirling. This wine has more swagger than finesse, yet is still agile, offering an intensely flavored cherry core accented with cola, spice and oak notes. The finish leaves a slight sense of warmth behind, but is clearly more generous and persistent than the regular Russian River Valley bottling. Cellaring is advised for this wine as it is still closed and brooding at this stage. Score: 91. Reviewed March 12, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Donum Estate Grown Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.61, 731 cases, $72. Dijon 667 and 115 from the Winside Estate Vineyard. 15 to 25 days on the skins, punched down up to four times a day, with occasional pump overs. Free run juice was sent to 100% French oak barrels, 64% new. The best barrels were selected to assemble the blend which was bottled on February 5, 2014. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Intensely fragrant over time in the glass, with aromas of the blackest cherry and cola. Full-bodied core of Bing cherry fruit with a hint of cola and spiced raspberry. Soft and gracious on the palate, with balanced tannins, and impressive fruit-dominated length on the finish which leaves a slight trail of warmth. Score: 91. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Donum Estate Grown Ten Oaks Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.59, 160 cases, $72. 100% Pommard clone from the Ten Oaks block at Winside Vineyard. 80% de-stemmed with 20% whole cluster. 9-day cold soak, indigenous yeast fermentation, one or two pump overs or punch downs during fermentation. The wine was sent to barrel after 17 days on the skins. The best barrel blend was assembled in January 2014 and bottled the following month. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of oak-kissed cherry and raspberry lead to mid weight flavors of slightly confected cherry, raspberry and red grape with a hint of baking spice and sandalwood in the background. The tannins are reigned in and there is modest finishing length. The wine was unchanged the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 89. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Donum Estate Grown Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.61, 326 cases, $90. 43% Pommard and 57% Dijon 667. This bottling is the first Russian River Valley Reserve to feature both Dijon and Pommard clones. 100% de-stemmed, cold soak for 8 days, cap punched down up to four times a day with occasional pump overs, modest extended maceration before barreling down into 100% French oak barrels, 70% new. 7 barrels of Dijon 667 and 5 barrels of Pommard made the final blend which was bottled in February 2014. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Extravagant aromas of ripe, dark berries and black cherries, tilled soil, and mocha java. The charge of full-bodied black cherry and blackberry fruit engulfs the palate, holding court through an intensely fruited finish. Imposing and structured, yet offering a deft touch of oak and admirable harmony. This wine has an extra wow factor. Score: 93. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »