2006 DLM Pinots Rock!
Over the years I have reviewed several vintages of Pinot Noirs from De La Montanya. It has been easy
to do as the wines have shown consistent excellence. Owner, winegrower and winemaker, Dennis De
La Montanya professes to enjoy big, bold wines, but he has a soft side as well , showing itself in his
Pinot Noirs which deliver plenty of finesse.
Dennis represents the seventh generation of a farming family, some of
whom had dubious second careers as outlaws and smugglers. Dennis, himself,
is a bit of a character and is the kind of winemaker you like to hang out
with. He likes to talk baseball (both of his sons pictured below play). On the
surface he is unpretentious and humorous, with a dry wit and a twinkle in his
eye, but his wines are quite seriously rendered with the utmost care and attention.
He is an ambitious sort, producing multiple varietals in small lots in
addition to Pinot Noir as well as a number of special bottlings including the
“Pin-Up” series of wines featuring attractive ladies in pin-up poses on the
front labels and wines made for charitable purposes signed and endorsed
by a number of his rock musician friends (including the band Journey and
Eddie Money). Currently a 2005 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, “Wanna Go Back,” is offered for sale
signed by all members of Eddie Money’s band ($75) with the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser
Pediatric Aids Foundation.
Dennis farms over 160 acres in Sonoma County and founded his
winery in 1995. The tasteful barn-inspired tasting room and winery
is but three miles from downtown Healdsburg. Dennis has a
wood-burning pizza oven on the premises, a bocce ball court,
and a picnic area shaded by mature apple trees. He rents out an
adjacent lodging known as the “Little Yellow Cottage,” which
has all of the comforts of home and overlooks the Felta Creek
Vineyard on the property. His wife Tina (pictured) manages the
Cottage as well as the three guys in the family.
I recently tasted through four of the 2006 vintage lineup of De La Montanya Pinot Noirs. Every one of
these wines were top shelf and Dennis’s best lineup ever. They are notable for their easy drink ability
made possible by impeccable balance and harmony, a reflection of deft winemaking. All are perfect
food wines.
2006 De La Montanya Ridgeway Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 146 cases, $38.
·
Lighter in color and weight than the other wines in the lineup, but don’t let that deceive you. Plenty to like
here from the aromas of cherries, rhubarb and damp earth, to delicious flavors of dried cherry kissed by
spice and herbs. Elegant and feminine and tres Pinot.
2006 De La Montanya Christine’s Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., 47 cases, $40.
·
Lovely nose of cherries, roses, Asian spice and a hint of anise. The flavors echo the aromas. Crisp and
clean in the mouth. This wine delivers the best aromatics of the lineup, but the fruit is lacking some intensity
and complexity on the palate compared to the other wines.
2006 De La Montanya Tina’s Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 137 cases, $40.
75% Pommard, 25% Dijon clone.
·
Alluring scents of fresh Bing cherries highlighted by oak spice. Terrific
mouth full of sweet cherries and a sidecar of cola, gingerbread and herbs. Like sucking on an adult gourmet
cherry popsicle. Refreshing kick of acidity on the aromatic back end. A complete and exquisite wine
of great purity.
2006 De La Montanya Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 48 cases, $50.
·
This is
truly a reserve wine in every sense of the word. The nose is richer, more darkly fruited and beautifully
enhanced by oak notes of char and vanilla (50% new oak here). Very plush on the palate with black
cherry, cassis, plum, dark chocolate and vanilla flavors. There is admirable complexity here and plenty to
contemplate. The tannins are fine-grained and the finish lingers on and on. Give this wine a year or two
while you drink the others in the lineup and you will be suitably rewarded.
Dennis is on a roll here. His 2005 Christine’s Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir won the award for
Best Red Wine at the 2005 Sonoma Harvest Fair, which is a big deal in Sonoma County.
De La Montanya Vineyards & Winery is located at 999 Foreman Lane, Healdsburg. Check the website
for directions to the winery - it can be tricky. The tasting room is open Friday thru Sunday from
11:00 to 5:00, but call ahead to see if Dennis is behind the bar. Tasting on other days is possible by appointment. The informative website is at www.dlm.com. For information and reservations for the Little
Yellow Cottage, contact Tina De La Montanya at tina@dlmwine.com or consult the website. The wines
are all sold through the tasting room and the website. The phone is 707-433-3711. See the striking
photo below of the frozen vines in April of this year at DLM.
