Donkey & Goat Syrahs - A Loveletter

WINE TALK
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Donkey and Goat has been around since the 2004 vintage and since then it’s been wonderful following them. I think they are an important variation of the California Experience of Syrah. I can (and will) gush on about them, but I’ll let Tom Hill add something first http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?t=199548&highlight=donkey+goat (scroll waay down his long/boring post).

Tracey & Jared Brandt do Mendocino and Eldorado Syrah, creating wines that speak of violets, blueberries, red fruits, meat and game. For a couple of vintages preceeding 2007 they explored a softer side of Syrah, making damn wonderful, ready to drink wines. With the current vintage they’ve definitely turned up the structure and backbone in a most positive way.
Last month I had the opportunity to taste the Fall release wines and meant to post an ‘exclusive’ look at them before their mailer went out, because I really like 'em. Well, I got the mailer today…so here’s my loveletter, albeit too late to whip up that consumer fervor.

2007 Donkey & Goat Syrah Fenaughty Vineyard Eldorado County
Nose: Blueberry/Cherry/Smoke/Funk
Mouth: Firm Tannins/Brambly/Red Fruits/Mediumweight Mouthfeel/Blueberry
Thoughts: Previous vintages tended to be soft. Not this one. Still Californian with enough fruit to make it enjoyable now, the tannins in this wine will let it age. I think this wine can rival some of ESJ’s best Eldorado Syrahs.
2007 Donkey & Goat Syrah Mendocino
Nose: Berry/Blueberry/Cedar/Violets
Mouth: Mineral/Firm Tannin/Red Fruits/Earth/Medium Body/Cranberry
Notes: Jared & Tracey said this is going to be their ‘entry level’ syrah. It doesn’t taste entry level to me.
2007 Donkey & Goat Syrah “The Recluse” Broken Leg Vineyard Mendocino
Nose: Earth/Meat/Plum/Cherry/Cedar/Hops on the Vine
Mouth: Firmly Tannic/Structured/Brambles/Tangy Red Fruits/Tannins Melt on the Finish
Notes: This is the fourth time I’ve tried this wine. Lucky me. The more I taste it, the more I think it has the possibility of greatness. I really want to see where this is in ten years. I mean, in ten years, I want this in my glass.
2007 Donkey & Goat Syrah Perli vineyard Mendocino
Nose: Earthy/Funky/Meaty/Berry/Candied Violet/Strawberry
Mouth: Meat/Tang/Plum/Red Currant/Cherry/More Tang/Vanilla/Spice
Notes: To me, the Perli seems a little heftier. Good wine.
2006 Donkey & Goat Perli Reserve Mendocino
Color: Darker, Inky
Nose: Earth/Smoke/Red Berry/Blueberry/Mint/Vanilla/Custard
Mouth: Earth/Meat/Red Berry/Mint/Blueberry/Vanilla
Notes: This wine delivers to the mouth what is advertised on the nose! Perli on steroids, this is bigger than the 2007. Drinkable now. I think it’ll age very well too!
Summary: I sent Tracey a note to her Facebook page saying that the high level of all of the syrahs impressive. I would add that they have really done something special with 2007 and these wines will live very, very well. flirtysmile

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Love their Rose!

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The Recluse was 2007 or 2006? I liked the 2006 quite a lot.

-Al

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Al,
It’s the 2007. For my taste, it’s the best wine they have made.

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Thanks for the notes, Paul. I’m hoping to make it by there next week when I’m out there for FamilyWinemakers.
Their BrokenLeg has consistently been my favorite. And they do a mighty fine job w/ the Fenaughty grapes as well.
Tom

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I bought the initial offering on '04s from D&G a few years back and then I fell off the wagon.
I really liked the wines, just had to scale back some on mailers the past couple years.
Their Rose and Syrahs are really top notch. The current email has me tempted to jump back on. I’d like to see what they do with Fenaughty.

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I’m in the same situation, though I bought off the list for a few years. The wines are being distributed in Virginia now, so I’ll be able to pick some up locally. Looking forward to it.

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Dennis & Jeff,
I feel your pain. Even with my few remaining lists I do not buy as much. You know how Rhys/Alesia grades you on how much you buy? I only get 4-6 bottles each time so will never get a shot at their chard. Thankfully D&G has held prices steady, are offering the cheaper Mendocino and everybody gets a chance at all the wines (with a semi-exception of their new marsanne-roussanne, which is only avail in sampler packs or “wish list”). Frankly, I’m happy to be in a position to be buying wine, any amount, right now!