Donum is making its mark…

We are excited for the recent visit of Donum CEO Angelica de Vere-Mabray and VP Vineyard & Winemaking Dan Fishman. Together with owner Allan and Mei Warburg, they participated in the annual sustainability symposium in Guilin (called Integral Conversation) with Dan making a presentation on Donum’s practice of regenerative farming where agriculture, ecology and cultural creativity would intersect and how humanity and the land can co-exist naturally and thrive together. Donum wines were made available for tasting on the spot, not only for enjoyment but also to illustrate how healthy soil would lead to better vines and ultimately good wines as the final product. The success of the event was evidenced by the active discussions generated and literally all twenty bottles of Donum wines being consumed to the last drop!!!

Two Donum wine dinners then took place in Hong Kong, both well attended with participants thoroughly enjoying. We took the opportunity to launch the 2023 vintage. The 2023 harvest was among the latest in Donum’s history, with picking beginning after Labour Day. A cold, wet winter delayed budbreak, and a cool growing season slowed ripening. These conditions proved ideal for quality, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly while retaining its natural acidity. The resulting wines are beautifully balanced, with concentration, depth of flavour, and elegance at a slightly lower alcohol level. The vintage also marks an important milestone: our Carneros and Russian River Valley wines now proudly bear organic certification from the California Certified Organic Farmers and are Regenerative Organic Certified® by the Regenerative Organic Alliance. Among the various Donum cuvees, we are pleased to share with you our Savoy Chardonnay being recognized by the famous critic James Suckling in his list of the top 100 wines in the USA.

As to our latest additions on the wine list…Donum 2023 of course…and among others, you will see Bordeaux too as a follow-up to what we reported last time. We hope you will find something of interest:

2023 Donum Savoy Vineyard Chardonnay (JS97 at HK$620/bottle) – This vineyard was acquired in mid 2023. Golden straw in colour, the 2023 Savoy Chardonnay offers aromas of apple and white currant, with an intense flintiness. The palate reveals flavours of starfruit, pear and just-ripe mango, balanced by white pepper and pithy lime. Intensely high-toned, the texture is both lush and structured.

2023 Donum Goldfield Reserve Chardonnay (JS96 at HK$950/bottle) – Deep gold in colour, verging on almond, the wine opens with complex aromas of golden raisin, nougat, date, lime rind and kumquat. The palate begins with a saline edge, then unfolds into rich fruit flavours of apple, pear, naval orange and cantaloupe. Thanks to its time on the skins, this Chardonnay delivers remarkable structure, with intensity, precision and a mineral-driven, spicy finish.

2023 Donum Thomas Ferguson Vineyard Pinot Noir (JS96 at HK$750/bottle) – From a vineyard with rocky soil, the wine is medium ruby in colour, with incredible saturation, and opens on the nose with a burst of graphite, followed by aromas of blackberry and plum. The palate is red-fruit driven, featuring tart cherry, raspberry, red plum, lingonberry and even a hint of melon. Focused and supported by fully ripe tannins, the mouthfeel is balanced and harmonious.

 2023 Donum Perrygulch Reserve Pinot Noir (JS97 at HK$950/bottle) – The inaugural Perrygulch Pinot Noir is deep ruby in colour, offering expressive aromas of black cherry, leather, violets and potpourri. The palate is bold and concentrated, revealing layers of blackberry, blueberry, pu’er tea and black currant. Lithe and well-structured, the wine finishes with energy and persistence, accented by a slightly prickly, spicy character.

2019 Jean-Marc Sélèque Soliste Pinot Noir 1er Cru les Gayeres (WA95 at HK$800/bottle) – This is a producer that follows strict organic principle, including having the vineyard ploughed entirely by horses. The resulting champagne has a nose of peach, bitter orange and dried flowers mingled with pastry and a faint hint of resin. Medium- to full-bodied, it is concentrated and layered, ample and balanced, with succulent yet racy acidity and a long, saline finish.

2016 Pavie Macquin (WA96 at HK$580/bottle) – Deep garnet-purple in colour, this St-Emilion red charges out of the glass with gregarious black cherries, warm blackberries and wild blueberries scents followed up by loads of red roses, baking spices, cedar chest and unsmoked cigars sparks plus a waft of wild thyme. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is an exercise in poise, revealing layer upon layer of cherries and berries flavours and tons of savoury nuances, framed by firm yet exquisitely ripe tannins, finishing very long.

2012 Gazin (WA95 at HK$600/bottle) – One of our perennial favourites, the 2012 Gazin has a complex, mercurial bouquet that seems quite confit in style. After five minutes it offers raspberry coulis, wild strawberry, marmalade and minerals. You could nose this all day! The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, beautifully balanced in harmony. It glides across the mouth, so much so that it almost belies the structure underneath. This is seriously good—a top-drawer Pomerol at a not crazy price.

2013 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco Ovello (WA96 at HK$470/bottle) – We are re-stocking this good value Italian red which underwent two years of oak aging followed by 18 months of bottle rest before its commercial release. This is one of our favourite expressions from Barbaresco, and the 2013 vintage is especially beautiful and elegant. The wine offers an exceptional level of purity and finesse with light touches of wild berry, smoke, ash and balsam herb. Only 6,000 bottles were made.

2018 Catena Zapata Nicolas Catena Zapata (WA96 at HK$520/bottle) – This Argentinian red is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Malbec. The wine is fresh, intense and offering flavour of tobacco, blackberries and floral notes, coming through as balanced and harmonious, with very fine tannins and a long finish and perfect ripeness.    

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to go to our website www.vinopolis.com.hk to browse the full wine list. Purchases can be made through the website or by sending us an e-mail or simply WhatsApp 9195-7383.