Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

First winery on day two in Sonoma was Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa with Meredith. Second red was the Tripp's Block Pinot Noir which comes from the Perli vineyard in the Mendocino Ridge at an elevation of 1550 feet. Aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels and only 246 cases produced.

Medium to deep ruby red. Layered nose with some light baking spices on the attack as well as some red cherries, followed up by cedar and damp forest floor. Medium plus acidity (7/10) and medium bodied. Balanced tannins as well with noted of red cherries, dried strawberries and bramble berries to boot. A bit of cinnamon and cedar as well. Dry with a lingering finish. Drink till 2024.

$$$ - Tasted at the winery. Retail price is $78.00. — 8 years ago

with India

Eric Vishria

8.9

Solid but very simple and straightforward. — 9 years ago

Rebecca Chapa

9.2

#Donelan #rose out of magnum! — 10 years ago

Dave Schneider

9.5

Wow. Gorgeous well balanced. Bright acidity. Peppery and with a hint of sugar. — 10 years ago

Ty Dziama

9.0

Best wine I've had to date. — 11 years ago

with Armand

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

First winery on day two in Sonoma was Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa with Meredith. First red up was the Two Brothers Pinot Noir which comes from four separate vineyards in Sonoma County; 41% from Steiner Ranch, 26% from Walker Vine Hill, 21% from Devoto and 12% from Perli. Namesake is for the two sons, Tripp and Cushing. Aged for 18 months in 17% new French oak. 1,630 cases produced.

Medium garnet red with some ruby in the core. A touch of greenery on the nose with some twigs and strawberries. A touch of tobacco and cedar too. Medium acidity (6.5/10) with a light plus to medium body. Layered palate with notes of cinnamon, violet, white pepper, plums and a touch of mushrooms. Medium plus finish with a little bit of iron coming through. Drink till 2021.

$$ - Tasted at the winery. Retail price is $55.00. — 8 years ago

with India

JKT

9.2

CVed 5/10/17. Thought it was the 2001. Took an hour for nose to open up. Wild floral notes mixed with spicy gamey smoky bacon. Still tannic and acids on palette with long acidic and leather and biting finish. Needs time but already impressive! CVed again 8/17/17 comp with Cote Rotie Chapoutier and Calif Syrah Cabot Donelan. Same impression. A bit of lingering heat on finish. Ranked it number one. — 9 years ago

Narun P

9.1

Floral, bacon fat, smoked bbq, Cote-Rotie-eques. Yum. — 10 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.0

Nice, but simple. Butterscotch, minerality and menthol. As well integrated as 6 months ago. Had I another bottle I'd drink up now. — 11 years ago

TC Frazier

9.1

Almost Oregon like, with more weight than expected — 12 years ago

JKT

9.1

CVed 2/10/18 comp of Pax Donelan Syrah. Interestingly the nose more like Donelan with hint of sweetness and prominent dark fruits. But palate is leaner and firmer than new world. — 8 years ago

Corey Zamora, CSW

9.2

Pretty wine, great bright red fruit front palate, balanced with nice tannins on the back end. — 8 years ago

Dave Schneider

9.0

Very interesting. Only 40 cases produced. A little sweeter than I would have preferred but has a good balance of honeysuckle, oak and lemon tart. — 9 years ago

Rob Guimaraes

9.2

About as close to Condrieu as I've seen Cali get. Lots of gardenias and tropicals mixed with a classic peachiness and solid structure. — 10 years ago

with melissa

Kevin O'Connor

9.7

This is in a great spot right now! — 11 years ago

Layne Albert

9.7

Sushi followed by Pax wine. Now known as Donelan family vineyard. — 12 years ago