Donelan Family Two Brothers Pinot Noir California Sonoma 2012

 Forty-one percent of this comes from the Snyder Ranch on Sonoma Mountain, 28% from the Mendocino Vineyard, 21% from the Western Sonoma Coast, with 10% from the Russian River. This is a big cuvée of 1,900 cases, which is a lot of wine for any cuvée from Joe Donelan. It was aged 18 months in about 30% new oak. The vineyards sourced are planted with Dijon Clones 115, 667 and 777 and a Calera selection. This is a very red-fruity, spicy, earthy style of Pinot Noir with forest floor, pomegranate, red cherry and redcurrant, lots of spice in a medium-bodied, tart style. It tastes as if some stems are involved in the fermentation (whole clusters). Drink it over the next 4-8 years. (RP)  (12/2014)