Donkey and Goat Fall Release Tasting

I had the opportunity to taste the Donkey and Goat 2010 Fall releases last August. Sadly, I have fallen down in leading the bandwagon, misplacing my notes, but hope to make up for it now. For the last five years, Jared and Tracey have been doing wonderful things with Syrah and a Brousseau Chardonnay. Slowly they have been increasing their diversity, especially with Rhone varietals. This year they have added some new non-Rhones to the mix.

Included in this flight are some very, very individual wines, including the Chard and the Roussanne.

• 2009 Donkey and Goat Chardonnay Untended

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  This is supposed to come from a vineyard that was untended for some time. Don't know specifics.
  Floral aromas, sweet lemon, green apple and stones. On the palate, more lemon, green apple and stones with a bit of a tangy, splintery (but not oaky!) aftertaste. Not what I'd expect from a chard!

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• 2009 Donkey and Goat Coupe d'Or

  USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado

  This is their 50-50 Roussanne-Marsanne blend. Nose of lemon, honey and marzipan with an undercurrent of stones and flowers. On the palate an interesting blend of mellow citrus, candied fruit and a sour candy finish. It's got a fairly hefty, almost oily mouthfeel. This could be an outstanding wine.

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• 2009 Donkey and Goat Roussanne Stone Crusher

  USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado

  The name says it all...Gooseberry, honeysuckle, sour candy and mineral nose. On the palate, fairly heavy mouthfeel with honey, carmel, jasmine, some fruit and a salty aftertaste. I like it, but this could be a love it or hate it wine.

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Wow! A Donkey and Goat release where only half the reds are Syrahs.

• 2009 Donkey and Goat Carignane

  USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino

  I was very excited to try this Alexander Valley carignane. There is a good nose of ripe berries, blackberry pie, smoke and mineral. The mouthfeel is a pleasant surprise - it's medium bodied, gently tannic and brambley with bright red fruits - cherry came to mind - and also some blackberry.

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• 2009 Donkey and Goat Pinot Noir Broken Leg Vineyard

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  Jared and Tracey's first commercial pinot - what an effort! Here is more compelling evidence that Mendocino may be in the top tier of California for Pinot. Nose has spice and cherry - the spice reminds me more of Mercurey than RRV. There is a good medium body on the palate. I noticed acid, spice, a touch of forest floor and really expressive red fruit. I imagined a delicious cherry pie with little sugar or vanilla added!

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• 2008 Donkey and Goat Syrah Mendocino Mélange

  USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

  This is a blend of all of their 2008 Mendocino fruit. While they worked very hard to remove smoke taint by non-mechanical means (using grape leaves was one method mentioned) they did not feel that the wine was strong enough for individual cuvee release and it was declassified as 'melange'. Aromas of blueberry, violet, red berries, meat, barnyard and earth. Brambly and tannic, with red fruits, earth, spice and a velvety mid-palate followed by a short hibiscus finish. Should age for the mid-term very nicely. Very good.

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• 2007 Donkey and Goat Syrah Reserve Broken Leg Vineyard

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  This is the reserve bottling of the 2007 Broken Leg. It spent an extra year in barrel. The result is extraordinary on the nose. It's rich, somkey, meaty, with cherry and plum - it's "licqour of syrah". The palate is not extraordinary, however. There are violets, cherries, plum charred meat, and blueberries to be sure, but it ends on a medium finish. The mouthfeel of the 'straight' 2007 is to my taste superior to the reserve. The straight 2007 has the potential to be outstanding and despite the incredible aromatics the reserve is merely excellent.

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In summary, I love what they are doing, making very singular and very expressive whites. The reds are really quite good and the Pinot Noir has great potential. In terms of winemaking skill, I am very impressed with how they 'saved' the 2008 Syrahs.