96+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "Not destemmed and seeing an extended maceration, the 2018 Syrah Estate Donna's is another Cornas look-alike that boasts a saturated purple color to go with a huge nose of smoked black fruits, beef blood, ground pepper, crushed violets, and bacon fat. It's rich, full-bodied, concentrated, and beautifully balanced, with both tannins and acidity. This beauty will keep for 10-15 years and is up with some of the top examples of Syrah in this report. Drink: 2020-2035. (8/4/20)"
96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Cracked black pepper, black currant and dark violet make for a cool-climate expression with tons of floral smoothness. There is heft to the sip, where black pepper, dried herbs and black fruits are sliced by a zesty acidity. Alcohol 14.1%. (Oct 2020)"
95 points Wine & Spirits: "Set on a modest rise of almost pure sand, Donna’s Block tends to produce the purest expression of syrah among Melville’s four blocks. In 2018, it grew a wine that borders on the hedonistic in its youthful exuberance, with wild aromatics of smoke and olive, clove, mocha, dried beef, lavender and thyme, and a core of blueberry and blackberry flavors that feels deep and dark. And yet the acid-tannin structure shores up the wine with remarkable grace and precision, so that it still manages to be one of the raciest syrahs in the Central Coast. 800 cases. (Oct 2020)"
94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Syrah Donna's is such a complete, expressive wine. Deep and pliant in the glass, with gorgeous aromatic breadth, the Donna's is a Syrah of dimension and pedigree. Rose petal, lavender, spice, sweet dark cherry and star anise are some of the many notes that meld together in this wonderfully deep, nuanced Syrah from Melville. The 100% whole clusters are impeccably balanced. Drink: 2022-2033. (Aug 2020)"
93 points Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate): "Medium to deep ruby-purple, the 2018 Syrah Donna's offers pure violet perfume and notes of cracked pepper, charcuterie, mint and blackcurrant fruit. The palate is full-bodied with a fresh, ripe structure and expansive, layered fruits, finishing long. 800 cases produced. Drink: 2020-2028. (Oct 2020)"
96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Cracked black pepper, black currant and dark violet make for a cool-climate expression with tons of floral smoothness. There is heft to the sip, where black pepper, dried herbs and black fruits are sliced by a zesty acidity. Alcohol 14.1%. (Oct 2020)"
95 points Wine & Spirits: "Set on a modest rise of almost pure sand, Donna’s Block tends to produce the purest expression of syrah among Melville’s four blocks. In 2018, it grew a wine that borders on the hedonistic in its youthful exuberance, with wild aromatics of smoke and olive, clove, mocha, dried beef, lavender and thyme, and a core of blueberry and blackberry flavors that feels deep and dark. And yet the acid-tannin structure shores up the wine with remarkable grace and precision, so that it still manages to be one of the raciest syrahs in the Central Coast. 800 cases. (Oct 2020)"
94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Syrah Donna's is such a complete, expressive wine. Deep and pliant in the glass, with gorgeous aromatic breadth, the Donna's is a Syrah of dimension and pedigree. Rose petal, lavender, spice, sweet dark cherry and star anise are some of the many notes that meld together in this wonderfully deep, nuanced Syrah from Melville. The 100% whole clusters are impeccably balanced. Drink: 2022-2033. (Aug 2020)"
93 points Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate): "Medium to deep ruby-purple, the 2018 Syrah Donna's offers pure violet perfume and notes of cracked pepper, charcuterie, mint and blackcurrant fruit. The palate is full-bodied with a fresh, ripe structure and expansive, layered fruits, finishing long. 800 cases produced. Drink: 2020-2028. (Oct 2020)"
| Product SKU | 337888 |
| Producer | Melville |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| SubRegion | Central Coast |
| Appellation | Sta. Rita Hills |
| Varietal | Syrah/Shiraz |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 14.1% |
| Ships To |
