Carneros Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2021
Carneros Estate Reserve Chardonnay
Carneros Estate Reserve Chardonnay
Rich lemon zest with stone fruit apple.
In the glass, the wine presents itself in a rich, clear golden hue with bright reflections. The viscosity appears oily, almost creamy, with slowly flowing "church windows" (legs). An appearance that immediately radiates density, maturity, and cool precision, without seeming opulent or overbearing.
On the nose, white blossoms meet lemon zest, yellow apple, and ripe pear. Behind these are elderflower, subtle vanilla, roasted hazelnut, and a delicate smoky note from the wood. Everything appears focused, cool, and deep, like a perfectly tempered room of limestone and cedarwood.
On the palate, it's creamy and taut at the same time. Citrus freshness, juicy apple, and a hint of ripe stone fruit glide over a salty minerality. The acidity stretches the wine like a tightrope, and the wood provides grip and length without overpowering the fruit.
The grapes come from a cool coastal climate in Los Carneros, characterized by fog and wind. Fermentation and aging in barriques provide structure, spice, and depth. Particularly noteworthy is the balance of Napa power and Burgundian precision, clear, focused, and with inner tension.
Where award-winning single-vineyard Pinots and Chardonnays meet art by Ai Weiwei, Anselm Kiefer, and Louise Bourgeois.
The Donum Estate was founded in 2001 by German winemaker Anne Moller-Racke – with the conviction that nature is a gift (Latin: donum). With dedication, she developed the now award-winning winery in the Sonoma-Carneros region and laid the foundation for a Burgundian-inspired style. Today, Donum encompasses over 25 individual vineyards, each with its own microclimate and character, noticeably expressed in its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
In 2011, Danish entrepreneurs and art collectors Allan and Mei Warburg took over the winery and established the Donum Collection. Since then, over 50 large-format sculptures by international artists have shaped the estate. Interiors and vine landscapes merge into a walkable gallery. Particularly impressive is Ai Weiwei's "Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads," which depicts the Chinese zodiac signs amidst the vines and adorns the winery's bottle label each year. Works by Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, and Anselm Kiefer make a visit feel like a museum experience without walls.
Today, the vineyards span approximately 137 hectares – divided into four Californian regions: Carneros, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Anderson Valley. Each vineyard is cultivated, harvested, and vinified individually. The goal: to bring the authentic and pure character of each site into the bottles. Every wine is a work of art, driven by a clear idea: the gift of nature, in its most beautiful form.
Other wines from the winery
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Carneros Estate Chardonnay
2022
Donum Estate, California#preciseCreamy, precise, and salty.79,00 €105,33 € / L79,00 €105,33 € / L -
Carneros Estate Reserve Chardonnay
2021
Donum Estate, California#creamyCool, creamy, and precise.129,00 €172,00 € / L129,00 €172,00 € / L -
Thomas Pinot Noir
2022
Donum Estate, California#powerfulPowerful, silky, and earthy.225,00 €300,00 € / L225,00 €300,00 € / L -
Russian River Reserve Pinot Noir
2021
Donum Estate, California#concentratedDense, silky, and precise.169,00 €225,33 € / L169,00 €225,33 € / L -
Carneros Estate Pinot Noir
2022
Donum Estate, California#juicyJuicy, silky, and deep.89,00 €118,67 € / L89,00 €118,67 € / L
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Carneros Estate Reserve Chardonnay
2021
Rich lemon zest with stone fruit apple.
In the glass, the wine presents itself in a rich, clear golden hue with bright reflections. The viscosity appears oily, almost creamy, with slowly flowing "church windows" (legs). An appearance that immediately radiates density, maturity, and cool precision, without seeming opulent or overbearing.
On the nose, white blossoms meet lemon zest, yellow apple, and ripe pear. Behind these are elderflower, subtle vanilla, roasted hazelnut, and a delicate smoky note from the wood. Everything appears focused, cool, and deep, like a perfectly tempered room of limestone and cedarwood.
On the palate, it's creamy and taut at the same time. Citrus freshness, juicy apple, and a hint of ripe stone fruit glide over a salty minerality. The acidity stretches the wine like a tightrope, and the wood provides grip and length without overpowering the fruit.
The grapes come from a cool coastal climate in Los Carneros, characterized by fog and wind. Fermentation and aging in barriques provide structure, spice, and depth. Particularly noteworthy is the balance of Napa power and Burgundian precision, clear, focused, and with inner tension.