Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/237615
THE MESSAGE SPIRITS SHORTS PHOTO: DAVID GADD Introducing Gran Patrón Piedra Anthony Dias Blue (left) tastes a Donelan Syrah with Cush Donelan. Amherst Alums C Anthony Dias Blue's Tasting Notes Donelan Family Wines 2011 Chardonnay, Nancie, Sonoma County ($45) Silky and elegant with tangy, juicy fruit and nice mineral notes; fresh, lively and balanced with bright style and a long, vibrant finish. 90 Donelan Family Wines 2011 Syrah, Cuvée Christine, Sonoma County ($45) Toasty and bright with lean, juicy style and notes of green peppercorns; elegant, balanced and long with finesse and good structure; charming and fresh. 90 FAIR Quinoa Vodka FAIR has a strong focus on social responsibility and sustainability. In addition to being the only Fair Trade vodka, they use less glass in their bottles and their labels allow for easy recycling. "Our small company deals directly with South American farmers—there is no middleman," says Fair Spirits' Paul Bungener. "This is a long term relationship with a direct social benefit." FAIR Quinoa vodka is "easy on the nose and finish—with textural nutty notes from the quinoa. Truly farm-to-bottle," according to David Nepove, Director of Mixology, SWS of Northern California. PHOTO: NIKKI RITCHER ushing "Cush" Donelan majored in fine arts at Amherst College, and coincidentally so did THE TASTING PANEL's Editor in Chief, Anthony Dias Blue. In late November, Donelan met with members of our editorial team at the Blue Lifestyle offices in eternally sunny Pacific Palisades, CA, to taste through some recent releases. Donelan, sporting an "Amherst College" belt—eliciting a merry thumbs-up from Blue— recently left his day job running Matthew McConaughey's production company to focus on Donelan Family Wines. With our noses thrust deep in glasses of the Donelan 2011 Syrah, Cuvée Christine, Sonoma County, inhaling peppery phenols wafting from the gorgeous rich juice, Donelan talked of the future of the family biz and the desire to expand the brand's Chardonnay and Pinot production. "Scarcity is a game in the industry, but we try not to play it," he said, alluding with a bit a wry smile to the limited-production Rhône varietals his "functioning dysfunctional" family is known for (and the 100 point scores their wines have received from Robert Parker). Currently, Donelan sells 70% DTC, but that will change in the coming vintages. Originally called Pax Wine Cellars, in 2008 the label was rebranded as Donelan Family Wines and the current winemaker is Joe Nielsen. Key to the Donelan's success was to set up exclusive relationships with farmers and growers with a number of vineyards sites throughout Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Expect to see Donelan Family Wine in just a handful of on- and off-premise sites in major markets in the coming year. —Jonathan Cristaldi Patrón Spirits has launched the brand's first extra añejo tequila: Gran Patrón Piedra (SRP $399/750 ml.). In addition to extra añejo aging for more than three years in American and French oak barrels, Gran Patrón Piedra is also distinguished by its unique tahona stone grinding process, an ancient and time-consuming method for creating tequila. The hand-numbered bottle, which was inspired by the tahona, has been placed in an elegant box that easily converts into a display case. 18 / the tasting panel / january 2014 TP0114_001-33.indd 18 12/19/13 9:23 PM