Caves Cooperatives de Donnas Vallee d Aoste 2018

93 points Vinous
The 2018 Donnas opens slowly in the glass with a pretty display of violets and rose, a whiff of exotic spice, wet stone and wild berries. It's silky and round in texture, with a dense and savory wave of red and black fruits that saturate the senses. Inner florals and anise linger over a twang of sour citrus, as this tapers off lightly structured yet long, leaving a hint of plum and a peppery flourish. Lovers of cool-climate Nebbiolo will love this Valle d'Aosta take on the variety.

Dark red. Knockout perfume of sour red cherry, iron, dried rose petals and sweet spices. At once creamy and juicy, with terrific lift and inner-mouth perfume to the fine-grained flavors of raspberry, strawberry and flowers. Energetic and focused on the long finish, featuring noble tannins and repeating spicy notes. Aged one year in used 25-hectoliter barrels.

Produced on the rocky shores of Donnas, Pont-Saint-Martin, Perloz and Bard by Picotendro Nebbiolo grapes (ie dall'acino small and tender) for the 90% and 10% Freisa and Neyret. And 'the classic product that distinguishes the production of the Caves. Known and appreciated for centuries with historic references dating back to 1200, it was the first DOC Valle d'Aosta (1971). Before marketing is aged for 12 months in casks of 25 hl oak; holds well aging.