We’ve tasted - and rejected - our share of wines from Malibu. That has changed with today’s amazing red blend from our new friends at Donlin Estate. Their 2012 Malibu Coast The Blue Note Red Blend is an easy wine to fall in love with. This limited production wine hails from coastal mountainside vineyards at 2,111 feet.

Beautifully spiced fruit on the nose, with rich aromas of spiced black cherry candy, cherry, blackberry, cassis, spice box, rich tobacco leaf, vanilla, and toasty oak.Perfectly balanced on the palate, with dark fruits of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and plum, intermingled with mixed dark spice, leather, vanilla, and softly toasted oak.

Proprietor Elliott Dolin found early fame in the music business, where he played bass for the likes of Donna Fargo, Ray Price, Brenda Lee and as a studio musician for greats like Johnny Cash, John Prine and Don Everly. He later became a real estate investor. It was during this period that he became enamored with wine - and he set about to learn all that he could about the wines for the world. His passion became a business when he founded his namesake winery in 2006. Has drive for mastery and excellence is very apparent in today’s delicious selection.

Winemaker, Kirby Anderson, has worked at some of the best wineries in California, including Buena Vista Winery in California’s Lake County, Bernardus Winery in Monterey County, La Crema in the Russian River Valley, where he worked alongside wine icon, Dan Goldfield. Just prior to joining Dolin, Kirby made wine at Gainey Vineyard in Santa Ynez. This range of experience prepared him for the challenges of making wine in Malibu - where, as evidenced by today’s delicious, elegant wine, he makes magic.

Enjoy this fantastic wine with our boldest recommendation!

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Here’s what the wine press has to say:

91 Points - Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast - ”This blend of 44% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc makes a strong case for growing Bordeaux varieties in Malibu. Deep and round black currant, Concord grape and wisteria aromas lead into a palate of similar flavors laced with chalky tannins and a buoyant acidity.”

Gold Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition