Domaine Della

Articles About Domaine Della

Reviewed Wines

2017 Domaine Della Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.4% alc., pH 3.31, TA 0.63, 150 cases, $65. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Enthralling aromas of sea breeze, lemon and steel. Charming flavors of lemon, white peach, pear, spice and toast in a smoothly composed wine that finishes with purpose. The oak is nicely integrated creating a harmonious impression. Score: 91. Reviewed April 16, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 Domaine Della Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.2% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.67, 250 cases, $65. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 52% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Shy aromas of dark cherry and toasty oak. A flourish of confected black cherry and purple berry fruits greets the mid palate, carrying over with good intensity on the finish. Easy drinking, with soft tannins, leaving behind a welcome charge of dark cherry goodness. Score: 90. Reviewed April 16, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 Domaine Della Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.2% alc., pH 3.31, TA 0.62, 150 cases, $65. Sourced from Ritchie Vineyard. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. The nose leads with charming aromas of lemon, warm biscuit and vanilla. The toasty oak infused citrus flavors have good energy and the wine finishes with an upbeat lemon-lime pronouncement. Score: 89. Reviewed April 16, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 Domaine Della Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.61, 250 cases, $65. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very shy aromas of wood-kissed black cherry. Light to mid weight in style, offering flavors of red cherry and berry framed by delicate tannins. The shallow, even dilute fruit core doesn’t excite and the finish is short and unrewarding. Score: 87. Reviewed April 16, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 Domaine Della Earl Stephens Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.65, 150 cases, $75. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Reserved aromas of dark red and purple berry fruits intrigue. The core of purple fruits are stellar and nicely complimented by a deft touch of oak and gracious tannins. Impeccably balanced, with an intensely fruity and explosive finish. Still singing when tasted two days after opening. Score: 93. Reviewed April 16, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 Domaine Della Graham Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.60, 150 cases, $75. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of cherry, ripe strawberry and purple berry are replicated on the palate with added spice. Very elegant and charming, with gossamer tannins and a juicy finish. Lacks concentration but the finesse-infused fruit appeals. Score: 91. Reviewed April 16, 2019 ARTICLE »

2017 Domaine Della Terra De Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.60, 150 cases, $75. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 52% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The exotic nose offers intriguing spice, black cherry and toasty oak aromas. Silky and seductive on the palate, with a mid weight core of spiced dark cherry fruit. Very tasty, with delineated flavors and a modest finish. Score: 91. Reviewed April 16, 2019 ARTICLE »

2016 Domaine Della Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 150 cases, $65. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Very shy aromas of dark cherry and fertile earth. The mid weight plus fruit flavors of black cherry and black raspberry are underscored with notes of earth and black tea. Silken in texture, with immersed tannins and a modest finish. Satisfactory rather than special. Score: 88. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2016 Domaine Della Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.5% alc., 125 cases, $65. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of lemon, pineapple, pomelo and pastry creme really come at you. Bright flavors of lemon, pineapple, pear and golden apple fare bold and long. Creamy in the mouth, with a good acid underbelly and some lingering fruit and nutty oak at the end. Very Caliesque and hearty. Score: 93. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2016 Domaine Della Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 200 cases, $65. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The source of this wine is instantly identifiable by an array of typical aromas including cherry, wild raspberry, garrigue and earthy flora. The mid weight, dark red cherry, raspberry, cranberry and spice core aims to please. Forward-drinking, with excellent mid palate intensity and an agreeable but not lengthy finish. Score: 90. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2016 Domaine Della Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.5% alc., 125 cases, $70. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Subtle but enchanting aromas of ripe lemon, honey, melon, sea breeze, graphite and smoke. A sophisticated wine featured refined flavors of citrus and pear fruits but speaking more of “minerality.” Focused, with welcome acidic verve, and finishing with lengthy crystalline fruit aromatics. This is one of California’s top Chardonnay vineyards and the wine reflects that pedigree. Score: 94. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2016 Domaine Della Graham Family Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 125 cases, $75. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. A very ripe-fruited wine bordering on roasted character, offering aromas of cherry compote, root beer and cigar. A bold attack of the blackest cherry, cola, black tea, tobacco and dark chocolate flavors great the palate. Silken in mouth feel, with immersed tannins and a modest finish. The wine has Russian River Valley character traits but the super-ripeness detracts. Score: 89. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2016 Domaine Della Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 150 cases, $75. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Awkward nose, offering scents of dark cherry and mulch with a slight soapy note. A discreetly concentrated core of cherry fruit is framed by silky tannins and noticeable acidity that drives the palate. The wine finishes with a red fruit theme and a wintergreen note. Score: 88. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2016 Domaine Della Terra de Promissio Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 125 cases, $75. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose speaks more of shrub and forest than black cherry fruit. Polished in the mouth with an imposing wave of black cherry, cola and spice flavors that have a savory character. Good vibrancy and crispness in a fresh and approachable style with an impressively long and generous finish. Score: 92. Reviewed April 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2015 Domaine Della Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.64, 150 cases, $60. Sourced from three vineyards. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. · Dark garnet color in the glass. An array of black fruit aromas ply the nose with added notes of rose and oak. A big boy wine not for the timid with an onslaught of sweet black stone and berry fruits embellished with oak-driven notes of dark chocolate and toast. The tannins and acidity keep the fruit in check, and the high alcohol is not evident when the wine is cool, but the heavy fruit load obscures Russian River Valley typicality and is excessive for my taste. A good transition wine for previous Cabernet drinkers. Score: 89. Reviewed August 5, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 Domaine Della Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.27, TA 0.62, 125 cases, $60. Produced & bottled by Domaine Della Dale, Santa Rosa, CA.. Sourced from three vineyards including Ritchie Vineyard. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of lemon rind, slate and caramel. A slightly reductive (matchstick) style, with appealing richness of lemon curd and pineapple flavors. Slightly viscous, endowed with bright with a sumptuous citrus-driven finish. Score: 88. Reviewed August 6, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 Domaine Della Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.49, TA 0.62, 125 cases. $60. Sourced from four vineyards. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. An array of aromas appear over time in the glass, including boysenberry, blackberry and brewed tea. Mid weight plus in style, with commendable vibrancy and lift and silky in the mouth. Flavors of black cherry and black raspberry dominate, with a deft touch of oak in the background, refined tannins and a decent finish. Score: 91. Reviewed August 5, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 Domaine Della Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.62, 150 cases, $70. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The black cherry and spice aromas reach for the sky over time in the glass. The silky mouthfeel seduces as does the luscious mid weight essence of black cherry fruit. Very charming, with subtle oak highlights, gentle tannins and a juicy, well-fruited finish. Score: 93. Reviewed August 5, 2017 ARTICLE »

2015 Domaine Della Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.20, TA0.66, 120 cases, $70. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Light golden yellow color with a slight haze in the glass (unfiltered). Engaging aromas of lemon, pineapple, white peach and brioche. The flavors echo the aromas with added tropical fruit, slate and salinity accents. Barrel treatment is unobtrusive, the wine has very enviable vibrancy, and finishes with excellent cut fueled by lemon-citrus goodness. A regal wine from a vineyard that is California Chardonnay royalty. Worth the investment in pleasure. Score: 94. Reviewed December 1, 2016 ARTICLE »

2015 Domaine Della Terra De Promissio Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.8% alc, pH 3.46, TA 0.62, 125 cases, $70. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 55% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Captivating aromas leap from the glass including black cherry, black raspberry, caramel and wine cave. An enchanting array of black fruits greets the palate with resolve, dances lightly on the mid palate, and slides smoothly off the finish. A signature Pinot that is very seductive in all ways including the silk and satin texture. Amazingly giving at this young age. Score: 94. Reviewed August 5, 2017 ARTICLE »

2014 Domaine Della Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.44, TA 0.59, 250 cases, $60. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 47% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Considerable swirling is needed to coax the demure aromas of black cherry, red berry, underbrush and roasted nuts to the forefront. More enjoyable on the palate, with a mid weight plus charge of black cherry and black raspberry fruits accented with baking spices. Suave in texture with balanced tannins and some length on the finish that leaves a slight sense of alcoholic warmth in its wake. Although the chemistry of this wine would indicate comparable acidity to the Sonoma Coast bottling, this wine does not have the same vibrancy. Score: 89. Reviewed June 5, 2015 ARTICLE »

2014 Domaine Della Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.59, 150 cases, $60. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 47% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Black cherry and pomegranate aromas lead off with some nutty oak in the background. Silky on the palate with a serenade of cherry and pomegranate fruit flavors. Beautifully balanced, with inviting crisp acidity driving a pleasurable vibrancy and offering a juicy finish that has some staying power. Score: 91. Reviewed June 5, 2015 ARTICLE »

2014 Domaine Della Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.57, 250 cases, $70. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of very ripe, slightly confected cherries, spice, raisin and maple lead off. Luxurious core of black cherry and blackberry fruits push the ripeness envelope, crossing over to a prune note. Well-composed, with silky tannins, and an oak-driven caramel and brown sugar accent. The Keefer Ranch seemed to give riper fruit in the 2014 vintage. Score: 89. Reviewed December 1, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Domaine Della Terra de Promissio Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.52, TA 0.59, 175 cases, $70. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 47% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. I was seduced by the aromas of black raspberry and blackberry jam with a compliment of toasty oak and spice. A mid weight plus styled wine with a juicy core of black raspberry and black cherry fruit that arrives in waves on the palate. Sleek and balanced, with a satiny mouthfeel, gossamer tannins, restrained oak persuasion, and a fruit-filled finish. This wine offers the pleasure of both finesse and power. Score: 92. Reviewed December 1, 2016 ARTICLE »

2013 DELLA Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

A real standout and not surprising as this vineyard is the source of so many grand Pinot Noirs that it is deserving of grand cru status. This wine is very polished and appealing with mid weight flavors of iced cherries, spice and sandalwood. Still a bit tightly wound, but promises a great future. Score: 92-94. Reviewed April 4, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 DELLA Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

A very solid offering reflecting the Russian River Valley propensity for luscious Bing cherry fruit, cola and spice character. Well-crafted, with good lift and finishing drive. Score: 90-91. Reviewed April 4, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 DELLA Terra De Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

A vineyard in the Petaluma Gap sourced by Kosta Browne for several years. · More earthy, feral and floral than the RRV offering, with substantial tannins making it less accessible at this early juncture. Score: 90-91. Reviewed April 4, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 DELLA Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 300 cases, $60. Released March 2015. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Deep aromas of black cherry and cola. Luscious, mid weight plus core of black cherry and blackberry fruits framed by spice and cola. The fruits veers to the very ripe side, but doesn’t cross over. Refined, with moderate but not harsh tannins, finishing with some juicy expansiveness, and a little heat. Succulent but not nuanced. Score: 88. Reviewed July 12, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 DELLA Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 150 cases, $70. Release August 2015. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Thoroughly enjoyable, with hi-pitched aromas of crushed cherries and cake spice. Impressive polish and balance, this sophisticated offering features flavors of dark cherries and berries, nicely integrated gentle tannins, and a silky smooth mouthfeel. Score: 92. Reviewed July 12, 2015 ARTICLE »

2013 DELLA Terra de Promissio Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 50 cases, $70. Release August 2015. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, strawberry, seasoned oak and BBQ spice. Soft and elegant, with flavors of black cherry and black raspberry framed by suave tannins. Highly approachable, with a riff of citrus and a little heat on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed July 12, 2015 ARTICLE »

2012 Della Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.62, 200 cases, $60. Aged 15 months in 47% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Plenty of black cherry and raspberry aromas are matched with smoky, toasted oak. Impressive attack and finish, with a plethora of well-ripened black cherry, raspberry and plum fruits that demand attention. The tannins are nicely integrated and the wine drinks easily now. For my taste, there is far too much oak at play, but some will find this enviable and it may ameliorate over time in the bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed August 15, 2014 ARTICLE »

2012 Della Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.35, TA 0.61, 150 cases, $60. Wente selection sourced from Charles Ranch. Aged 15 months in 40% new French oak. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Minty and herbal upon opening with toasty oak evident and very little fruit. The fruit aromas never arrive over time in the glass and the nose remains nondescript. Moderately rich and plush on the palate with a creamy mouthfeel. The core of citrus fruits is buried in oak-driven notes of caramel, vanilla and toast. The heavy oak burden is just not to my taste. Score: 86. Reviewed August 15, 2014 ARTICLE »