Named for Ron Melville's wife, Donna, this fruit is from a three acre section planted in twenty feet deep sand and is composed of two-thirds clone 1 and one-third Estrella clone. It is this soil's neutrality that always delivers an intoxicating bouquet of flowers and spice. Since this wine was also fermented as 95% whole-cluster and in neutral barrel, the aromatics are vividly enhanced and demonstrative of the very cool climate in which the fruit was grown. This wine, while drinkable now, will certainly benefit with more time as its complexity and intensity becomes more harmonious. Yields were 2.9 lbs/plant (2.5 tons/acre). 15.2% alcohol.
Tasting Notes: Dark, rich and complex aromatics of blackberry and boysenberry join with nuances of fig, soy, dark chocolate, marzipan and cracked pepper. These sinister elements are juxtaposed against pretty white and purple flowers, salt, dried herbs and carnal hints of fennel, tobacco, nori and grilled meat. This intensity explodes in the mouth giving the wine a powerful texture that finishes completely refined and balanced.
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