Donati Family Vineyard Claret

Donati Family Vineyard Claret is a Bordeaux-style red blend from California's Central Coast, bottled at 13.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, continuing a track record that includes a 91-point score for the 2012 vintage and Gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.8%  |  Origin: Paicines AVA, Central Coast, California  |  Bordeaux-Style Blend  |  Winery: Donati Family Vineyard, Templeton, CA

Production & Heritage

Donati Family Vineyard farms estate vineyards in the Paicines AVA — the warmest pocket of the greater San Benito AVA — a region prized for producing concentrated Bordeaux-variety reds without the excessive heat of the Central Valley. The blend leans on Cabernet Sauvignon (roughly 49%) and Merlot (roughly 39%), filled out with Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Fermentation takes place entirely in stainless steel with twice-daily punch-downs to extract color and structure, followed by 20 months of aging in a carefully divided mix of 6% new French oak, 8% new American oak, and 6% new Eastern European oak. The estate vineyards are sustainably farmed, and that attention to site-specific agriculture shows in the depth of fruit the wine consistently delivers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry and boysenberry lead the nose, followed by layers of vanilla, cedar, and baking spice. A subtle floral lift of violets weaves through darker notes of sweet tar and cigar box.

Taste: The entry is smooth and fruit-forward, with ripe cherry and blackberry flooding the mid-palate. As the wine opens, dark chocolate, espresso bean, and roasted black plum add savory complexity. Soft, lush tannins hold everything together with enough acidity to keep each sip crisp and energetic.

Finish: Medium in length, dry, and well-defined, with lingering cocoa, cola, and a whisper of woodspice. The tannins fade gracefully, leaving a clean, juicy impression that invites another glass.

How to Drink Donati Claret

A few minutes of air — either through decanting or a generous pour into a large-bowled glass — opens up the full aromatic range. It drinks beautifully at cellar temperature (60–65°F) without ice. For cocktails and wine-based drinks, Donati Claret brings real depth to a Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola), where its existing cola and cherry notes amplify the drink's appeal. It also works well in a classic Sangria, contributing dark fruit and spice complexity that cheap reds cannot match. A simple Red Wine Spritz with sparkling water and an orange slice keeps things refreshing while showcasing the wine's boysenberry brightness.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want something a step above the usual table wine
• Introducing someone to Bordeaux-style blends without the Bordeaux price tag
• Hosting a casual dinner party centered around grilled or braised meats
• Building a case of reliable, estate-grown California reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Donati Claret taste like? It is a medium-bodied red dominated by ripe cherry, blackberry, and dark chocolate, supported by soft tannins and balanced acidity that keep the wine smooth and approachable.

How does Donati Claret compare to other California Meritage wines? Like many California Meritage blends, it leads with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but the Paicines AVA sourcing and tri-origin oak aging program (French, American, and Eastern European) give it a more layered spice profile than most blends at a similar price tier. Its consistent 90+ point scores from Wine Enthusiast across multiple vintages place it among the more reliable options in the category.

Is Donati Claret good for sipping neat? Yes — its soft tannins, fruit-forward palate, and moderate 13.8% ABV make it one of the more approachable Bordeaux-style blends for straight sipping, especially with a brief decant.

Where is Donati Claret made? The wine is produced by Donati Family Vineyard, with the winery located in Templeton, California, in the Paso Robles area. All fruit is sourced from sustainably farmed estate vineyards in the Paicines AVA, part of the San Benito AVA on California's Central Coast.

What foods pair well with Donati Claret? Grilled tri-tip steak complements the wine's dark fruit and smoke. Braised short ribs echo its cocoa and espresso richness. Roasted portobello mushrooms match its earthy undertones. A charcuterie board with aged cheddar and cured salami highlights the spice and cherry notes. Mole-sauced enchiladas mirror the wine's dark chocolate and pepper complexity.

What sizes does Donati Claret come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Donati Claret worth the price? Donati Claret positions as a mid-value California red — estate-grown fruit, extended oak aging, and repeated 90-point critical scores put it well above entry-level blends, while the price remains accessible for everyday drinking.

Why Donati Claret?

The strongest case for this wine is consistency: across the 2012, 2014, and 2019 vintages, it has landed 90 or 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and picked up Gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. That kind of track record signals a winery that has dialed in its vineyard management and blending. The Paicines AVA remains underappreciated compared to flashier Central Coast appellations, yet its warm days and cool marine-influenced nights produce Bordeaux varieties with concentration and acidity that rivals more expensive regions. Factor in the estate-farming model, sustainable viticulture, and a thoughtful three-origin oak aging program, and Donati Claret delivers more complexity per glass than most California Bordeaux blends at this price level.