DEHLINGER: Russian River Valley Stalwart
The year was 1973. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was in its infancy. Joseph Swan, who had planted Pinot
Noir in the Vine Hill region of the Russian River Valley four years prior using cuttings from Mount Eden and
budwood from Burgundy, released his first Pinot Noir. Davis Bynum, working out of an old hop mill on Westside
Road, released his 1973 Rochioli Vineyard Russian River Pinot Noir, the first vineyard-designated wine from
the Russian River Valley. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was beginning to happen and into this stage came
another visionary, Tom Dehlinger, who, along with his radiologist father, invested in a 45-acre ranch on Vine Hill
Road in Sebastopol.
Tom Dehlinger (DAY-leen-ger) was born on the East Coast, but grew up in Berkeley, California, and earned a
degree in biochemistry at University California Berkeley. He pursued graduate work in enology and food
science at University California Davis for a year, leaving school to work in the wine industry, first as a lab
technician at Beringer, then in winemaking positions at Hanzell and Dry Creek Vineyard. He was only 26 years
old when, in 1973, he set upon a career as an independent winegrower and winemaker. He met his future
spouse, Carole, a few years later, married her in 1978, and she was to become an important contributor to the
success of Dehlinger.
Early on, Tom had a well-defined idea of how wine grapes should be grown, and realizing that other grape
farmers were not conforming to his vision, he was driven to plant his own vineyard. He spent the spring of 1974
bench grafting and callusing over 10,000 vines in a rented heated basement room in Bolinas in Marin County.
By summer, Tom had planted the fledgling vines in a nursery space in Dry Creek Valley. At the same time, he
was removing Gravenstein apple trees from his neglected hillside property which had previously been a source
of noteworthy Zinfandel at the turn of the century. With guidance from Joseph Swan, Warren Dutton and
Forrest Tanzer, Tom planted the first 14 acres of vines on his property in the spring of 1975.
The Dehlinger property is located in southwestern Sonoma County, four miles north of the town of Sebastopol
at the intersection of Gravenstein Highway and Vine Hill Road in the Russian River Valley appellation. Tom knew the importance of terroir and choose this particular site in the Laguna Ridge area of the Russian River
Valley because of its climate and soils. The site is cool, heavily influenced by maritime fog and receives
significant diurnal variation in temperature. The soil is Goldridge type consisting of fine sandy loam and a
variant of Goldridge known as Altamont, which is composed of gravelly fine sandy loam with a sandy clay loam
subsoil underlain with sandstone. Grapes thrive in these soils, which are well-drained and somewhat lacking in
nutrients.
The original 1975 Dehlinger Pinot Noir 4-acre plantings were UCD 4 (Pommard) and UCD 13 (Martini) with a
smaller selection of cuttings from Joseph Swan’s vineyard which was also planted on Goldridge soil in a nearby
section of Laguna Ridge. Chardonnay (8 acres) and Cabernet Sauvignon (2 acres) completed the initial
planting. Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah were later additions. The original 4-acre Pinot Noir block consisted
of two acres of Swan selection and two acres of mixed clonal origin, part Pommard and part Martini. After a
few years, it was evident that the three clonal types were quite different in their growth patterns and therefore
were eventually picked and processed separately. In addition, significant soil differences within the vineyard
were recognized and the soil distribution of the vineyard was mapped and vine stakes painted to indicate soil
type. The lower elevations of the vineyard had Goldridge soil which was deeper, richer and more fertile. The
hilltops contained Altamont soil, a variation of Goldridge with a redder color, different mineral content and low
vigor. Irrigation in different parts of the vineyard was customized according to soil type and vigor. In
recognizing differences in terroir within the vineyard, Tom became an early champion of separately picking and
vinifying small lots of grapes from different portions of the vineyard.
The original vines were planted on AxR1 rootstock using 10‘ x 8‘ spacing which was in vogue at the time.
Irrigation was achieved with overhead sprinklers. The vines were trained on a single wire and pruned to two
fruiting canes. It was soon evident that vine growth was too vigorous and drooping. The vines lacked balance,
particularly on the lower elevations with the growth of leaves far outstripping fruit production. The result was
vegetal flavors in the finished wines.
For many years, all the vineyard work at Dehlinger was performed by Tom and Carole and one or two field
workers. In 1988, Marty Hedlund, who had a horticulture degree from Washington State University, was hired
as vineyard manager. Hedlund supervised the planting of the last one-third of the land, bringing total plantings
of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and the three Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet
Franc) to close to 50 acres. He also instituted a program to overcome the vine imbalances in the Dehlinger
vineyard. A new split-canopy vertically shoot-positioned Lyre trellis system derived from Bordeaux was
retrofitted by 1993, converting 37 of the acres (photo below in 2008). This movable trellis lifted shoots and
leaves up and away from the bank of grapes allowing more light exposure, permitting more precise hand work
to manage the shoots and clusters during the growing season, reducing the risk of mold and mildew, and
permitting the vine and grapes to dry out quickly if rain occurred before harvest. By 1997, a crew of four
managed the vineyard full time with an additional four workers from May to October. The dedicated farming
created a vineyard that displayed, according to Tom, “A level of vine care unmatched in intricacy in Sonoma
County.” Noted viticulturist, Dr. Richard Smart, was to say at the time, “The Dehlinger Vineyard is one of the
best examples I’ve seen anywhere in the world of careful vineyard management with the aim of maximizing
quality.”
Pinot Noir acreage currently stands at 16, consisting of 5.5 acres of Swan selection, 8.5 acres of Pommard
clone, 1 acre of Martini clone and 1 acre of Dijon clone 777 obtained from neighbor Steve Kistler in 1996 and
grafted onto Cabernet Franc. Of the 16 acres of Pinot Noir, 5 acres are planted in the lower parts of the
vineyard in Goldridge soil (referred to as the Goldridge Vineyard) and 11 acres are in hilltop areas featuring
Altamont soil. The fruit from the low-lying part of the vineyard was not originally as good qualitatively as fruit
from the hilltop sections. An inexpensive wine was made from this fruit before 1993 and labeled “Lot #2,”
which also included second crop grapes. By 1993, the grapes had benefited from careful vine work and the
new trellis system, and the grapes from the low-lying portions of the vineyard were bottled as Dehlinger
Goldridge Vineyard Pinot Noir. Paul Root, a long time wine retailer in Healdsburg, who sold Dehlinger’s first
vintage and placed Tom’s wines in local Safeway stores in the late 1970s and early 1980s, tells a humorous
story about the origins of the Goldridge Vineyard Pinot Noir. Tom had two barrels of Pinot Noir that vintage that
were not up to the level of the primary estate bottling. He called Paul and asked him to taste the wine, saying
that he would custom bottle it for Paul’s store. Paul couldn’t taste that day because a baby sitter could not be
found. Tom called him later and said he decided to bottle the wine as Goldridge Vineyard Pinot Noir. Over the
years, the quality of this wine has improved dramatically and Tom has stated, “Neither the Goldridge nor the
Estate Pinot Noir is inherently superior to the other.” Critics and consumers alike sometimes prefer the
Goldridge Vineyard bottling over the Estate bottling.
A special 3.5-acre plot of Swan selection was planted in 1982 around the original octagon-shaped house on
the top of the property. This site is referred to as Octagon Vineyard. The 900-square-foot eight-sided house
(photo below) was built in 1975-76. Tom lived with 3 children in this tiny house but was to later move. The
house on Octagon Hill has become a Russian River Valley landmark. Since the inaugural vintage in 1994,
when the quality warrants, Dehlinger releases a limited amount of Octagon Pinot Noir. In other years, the fruit
from this vineyard is included in the Estate or Reserve bottling.
Another special part of the vineyard planted to Pommard clone in 1982 gave birth to the Dehlinger High Plains
bottling starting with the 1999 vintage. Tom describes this quiet part of the vineyard a place of contemplation.
He said that during one of his many visits to this quiet retreat, “I must have imagined I was Clint Eastwood
riding alone as the High Plains Drifter and the name just stuck.”
The Dehlinger Vineyard is one of the very few in the Russian River Valley and the only one in the cooler
southern part of the Russian River Valley AVA that grows Cabernet Sauvignon. Dehlinger admits that farming
Cabernet Sauvignon here in some vintages has been very challenging but some vintages have produced
superb wines that have been highly lauded by the wine press. From 1992 thru 1997 a Bordeaux Blend bottling was produced, but the Merlot in the vineyard was grafted to Chardonnay and the Blend was discontinued to
concentrate on Cabernet Sauvignon alone. A small amount of Syrah continues to be produced.
Tom made his first wines in 1975 in rented space at Joseph Swan’s winery on Laguna Road. His first vintages
were crafted from purchased Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Tom’s brother, Dan, built the
original Dehlinger winery on the vineyard property in 1975-1976. The first commercial wine from Dehlinger
estate grapes was vinified here in 1977, and ever since, the emphasis has been on estate grown wines.
Production has increased slowly from less than 1,000 cases in 1983 to 7,000 to 8,000 cases per year of
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Rosé, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Some estate grapes are sold to
other producers. Despite the high demand for Dehlinger wines, Tom has steadfastly refused to increase
production beyond present levels.
Don Baumhefner, a veteran winemaker in Sonoma County who worked at Joseph Swan Winery for several
years, also worked at Dehlinger for a short period during the early years. He recounted some humorous tales
to me. He remembers one day when Tom and his brother, Dan, were working at Swan’s winery. “The day was
highlighted by a test between Tom and his brother. They each tried to lift just-washed barrels over their head.
No one died, but I can’t remember who won!” When Don worked at Dehlinger, he kept his children in an
expandable playpen in the middle of the winery and Don’s son, Max, took his first steps in the winery. For
relaxation, Tom and Don would use open-top redwood fermenters as hot tubs. Don has the utmost respect for Tom and told me, “Tom was a real no-nonsense winemaker. No frills, just honest, clean wines.”
Winemaking at Dehlinger has evolved through the years. Fred Scherrer was an assistant winemaker at
Dehlinger from 1988 to 1997. He was a strong advocate of reducing or eliminating red wine filtration and
Dehlinger’s wines have not been filtered since 1995. Scherrer also helped develop the Dehlinger style by
employing longer hang times and longer periods of maceration in the fermenter.
By 1997, the popularity of Dehlinger wines had reached a pinnacle and the tasting room, which by then had
little wine to offer visitors, was closed, the futures program was discontinued, and the mailing list topped out at
2,000 customers. At the end of 1997, there were over 1,000 names on a waiting list. Robert Parker, Jr.,
gushed about Dehlinger in the June 30, 1996, edition of the Wine Advocate: “Given the consistently high
quality that emerges from this winery, owner/winemaker Tom Dehlinger might be the least intrusive and most
humble winery owner I have met with. In a profession often dominated by towering, over sized egos, Dehlinger
seems totally content to let his wines do the talking..........Dehlinger’s wines have consistently received
laudatory reviews, but the quality level appears to have been pushed higher over recent years. Moreover,
these wines remain among the most modestly priced, especially for a superstar California winery.” James
Laube, writing in his book, California Wine (1999), said, “When it comes to Dehlinger’s wines, the advice is
simple: If you see his name on a wine bottle, buy it.” Several years later, noted wine writer, Matt Kramer, wrote
in New California Wine (2004), “Dehlinger wines represent an impeccable standard regardless of vintage.”
Upon Scherrer’s departure, Eric Sussman joined Dehlinger as an assistant winemaker after six years of
experience making wine in Washington State and France. He was the associate winemaker from 1998 to
2001. Tom Klassen was the enologist at Dehlinger from 2005 to 2008.
The current winemaking regimen is outlined as follows. Each one-fourth to one-half-acre subsection of the
vineyard is fermented and aged separately for the first 6 to 10 months and is then either blended or directed to
distinct single bottlings for additional 6 to 18 months of bottle age before release. Grapes from the low-lying
portions of the vineyard go primarily into the Goldridge Vineyard bottling, while the superior grapes from the
hilltop sites go into the Estate or specially designated bottlings (Reserve, High Plains, Octagon). 5% to 30%
whole clusters are included, depending on the vintage and the source of grapes within the vineyard. After a
period of cold soak, all punch downs are performed by hand in open-top fermenters. A small amount of clear
juice is bled off after placement of the grapes in the fermentation tanks. This is to increase color concentration
and flavor intensity. The press wine is sold in bulk because it lacks the color and aromatic projection of free run
juice.
The very personal biannual newsletters written by Tom Dehlinger contain a wealth of
information, not only about Dehlinger wines, but the basics of winegrowing and winemaking.
In the February 2001 newsletter, Tom wrote the most lucid explanation of punch downs that I
have ever read. “The work of punching is one of the keys to making a rich and robust red
wine. All the color and many of the flavor elements of a red wine are in the skins of the
grapes, and these elements must be extracted into the initially colorless juice during
fermentation. If crushed red grapes were left to ferment on their own without attention, the
result would not be as appealing. The skins would be lifted upward by the evolving
fermentation gasses and have little contact with the bulk of the juice below. They would also
support faster microbial growth and develop an excessive amount of heat which could lead to
spoilage. All red wine fermentations need some means of periodically mixing the rising skins
(called the “cap”) and the juice to equalize the temperature and promote the extraction
process. The hand punching method, which we have used exclusively since 1975, involves
positioning oneself on a stepladder next to the tank and pushing down on the rising skins with
a wooden disk attached to a hoe handle. The aim is to turn over the entire tank so that skins
which had been on top are revolved to the bottom and vice verse. Servicing each tank takes
about ten minutes and is done two to three times daily.”
In 2001, the Dehlinger winery began a major upgrading which included the creation of an underground cellar
for natural cooling which can hold 15,000 cases of wine. The project was directed by Tom’s brother, Dan, who,
by then, was a licensed architect. Seven separate temperature-controlled spaces are now available allowing
the winery to hold back wine for re-release when the wine is in its prime (Each year in the first week of January,
Dehlinger releases for sale on the website library wines that have aged 3 to 5 years).
In the fall of 2008, one-third of the original 14 acres of vines were removed and a chipper was used to return
the vine trunks to the soil. The soil will remain fallow for two years during which time it will be treated with
organic compost and annual crops to rejuvenate it. The plantings to follow will be on low-vigor rootstocks, will
be trained closer to the ground with 6’ to 7’ row spacing and 4’ between the vines creating a vineyard with three
times as many vines as before. A single vertical shoot positioning trellis will be used. As each new section of
the vineyard begins production, older sections will be removed and reborn as part of an ongoing process.
Over the nearly 35 years that Dehlinger has produced wine, quality and consistency have been the hallmarks.
This stalwart winery has never wavered from the vision upon which it was founded. The emphasis has always
been on quality and Tom never pushed volume or prices. During the eleven vintages from 1996 to 2006, the
Dehlinger Estate Pinot Noir had a modest price increase from $32 to $48. The simple label has remained
unchanged and Dehlinger has never resorted to heavy bottles to glamorize the wines. Today, 80% of the wine
is sold through a faithful following on the mailing list with small amounts distributed to long time restaurant and
retail store customers (I have seen the wines at Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa). Some wine is held back every
year, to be released as library wines each January as noted above. There still is no tasting room, but visitors
are welcome for tours and tasting by appointment on Fridays from January through August conducted by Tom’s
daughter, Carmen, and visitors may be offered some wines for sale if available (707-823-2378). A winery open
house is held both in the spring and fall. The website is www.dehlingerwinery.com and the address is 4101
Vine Hill Rd, Sebastopol, CA. You may not get the chance to meet Tom, for although he is a personable guy, he
is fiercely independent and private, akin to his winery business colleagues in the Russian River Valley, Tom
Rochioli and Gary Farrell, and shuns the public eye.
Recently, I conducted two tastings of Dehlinger Pinot Noir with three Pinot-loving friends who supplied some of
the wines. On August 14, 2009, a vertical of Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, 1998-2006, was tasted
and the following week, on August 22, 2009, a vertical of Dehlinger Estate Pinot Noir, 1996-2006 (no 1997)
was enjoyed. Special bottlings were also sampled including 1988 Dehlinger Lot #2 Pinot Noir, 1990 Dehlinger
Lot #2 Pinot Noir, 1999 Dehlinger Octagon Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2000 Dehlinger Reserve Pinot Noir, and 2001
Dehlinger High Plains Vineyard Pinot Noir. The wine reviews are primarily mine with a few comments included
from other tasters on a few of the wines. The two verticals consisted of wines that had been perfectly cellared
since release. The provenance of the Lot #2, Reserve and High Plains wines were not known as they were
acquired on the secondary market.
Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Pinot Noir
These wines were uneven in quality with the last three vintages (2004-2006) technically more sound and fresh.
All wines retained a moderately deep reddish-purple color. The tasting group did not consider any of the wines
exceptional with the 2004, 2005 and 2006 vintages being clearly the group’s favorites among the young wines
and the 1998 vintage the best by consensus among the older wines.
1998 Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc.,1,100 cases, $32.
·
Slight orange tinted rim. Surprisingly fresh
initially with appealing aged Pinot Noir flavors of spiced cherries, brown spice
and brown sugar. One taster noted minimal Brett on the nose. Very enjoyable
initially, fading over three hours.
2000 Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1,340 cases, $35. This
vintage was softer, less weighty and more succulent early.
·
Vivid scents of berries and cherries with a floral
note. Moderately rich with a tasty core of berries finishing with a tang and some persistence. Still showing
some tannin but time to drink up. Faded slowly over three hours.
2002 Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 1,300 cases, $35. Aged
in 50% new French oak barrels (usually 35%).
·
Full-on attack of cherries, berries and spice on the nose.
Slightly confected and flat rich fruit flavors with a citric peel tang on the finish. A green bean taste intruded over
time.
2003 Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 1,300 cases, $36. Aged
in barrel 16 months.
·
Just can’t get past the nose on this wine. While there are some pleasant blueberry and
cranberry fruit aromas, there is also a strong smell of tequila. Soft in the mouth with supple tannins and
restrained flavors of raisined berries.
2004 Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 1,300 cases, $39.
·
Pure
and bright raspberry aromas with a hint of graham. Propelled by the alcohol, the rich fruit has a sweet fullness
and lengthy persistence on the finish. Packed with pleasure, but retaining an elegance with gossamer tannins
and pleasing acidity. A very good drink.
2005 Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 1,250 cases, $40.
·
This is
a very age worthy wine that is richly endowed with Pinot fruits and still retaining noticeable oak and tannin.
Very smoothly textured and light on its feet. The most harmonious wine in the lineup. Can drink now for its
fruity youthfulness, but will go another 6-8 years.
2006 Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
1,600 cases, $44.
·
Great scent of raspberries,
cherries, cola and a hint of oak.. Spicy, tenacious palate of mouth
coating cherries and cranberries with a sidecar of oak. Lovely depth
with an appealing restraint, featuring a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Pretty
damn good.
Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
All the wines had a moderately deep reddish-purple color, bright acidity, and a sweet fullness from the
moderately high alcohols. Impressive for their consistency, these wines are a step above the Goldridge
Vineyard in complexity, finishing persistence and age ability. I would be happy to drink any of the wines today,
but if I can find any of the 2004 vintage, I am buying all I can get my hands on.
1996 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5%
alc., 990 cases, $32. Low yields in this vintage. Aged 20 months in
French oak.
·
Slightly cloudy with an orange-brown tinge to the rim in
the glass. Wonderful secondary bouquet of plums, blackberries,
mushrooms, forest floor and cigar box. Dark fruited and only slightly
faded with a background of earth, oak and anise. Still drank well two hours
after opening. Impressive.
1998 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc.,
1,050 cases, $40.
·
Darkly colored with a slight orange tinge to the rim in the
glass and a mild haziness. Plenty of barnyard initially which blows off
revealing aromas of black raspberries and blackberries. Rich and full-bodied, dark fruit driven, with some
fading and flatness to the fruit profile and a short finish.
1999 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 1,260 cases, $42.
·
Slight haziness in
the glass. Lovely scent of red plums, raspberries, vanilla and cream soda. More acidity in this wine allowing it
to drink fresh and young with an appealing core of fresh berries underpinned with a citric tang. Very good.
2000 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 1,600 cases, $40. A cool
growing year with a record crop. Sourced from Altamont soil series only.
·
The nose draws you in with a
perfume of crushed Bing cherries, raspberries and cola. Lovely depth and richness of flavor with plenty
of sweet, fresh, vivid fruit and a deft touch of oak. A very pretty wine that is drinking perfectly now. One
to dance with all night.
2001 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 1,300 cases, $40.
·
Darker red fruits and
marzipan mark the aromas and flavors. A bigger, darker wine than 2000 with copious sweet fruit and a
remarkably persistent finish. Starting to fade 2 hours after opening.
2002 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., 1,300 cases, $40. Includes High Plains
section of vineyard.
·
Sweet scented nose of dark berries and green garden. On the palate, the generous fruit
tastes of mu shu plum sauce. The tannins are supple and the whole package is very harmonious. This wine
didn’t illicit emotion, but is very solid and holding up nicely.
2003 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 1,300 cases, $42. Octagon and High
Plains sections of vineyard included.
·
Very floral nose with overtones of tequila. The flavors trump the nose
with a rich parade of full-bodied dark red fruits that are smoothly textured and framed by reigned-in tannins.
My least favorite of the vertical tasting.
2004 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc.,
1,150 cases, $45.
·
Complex nose with the scent of freshly crushed
berries accompanied by notes of cherries, toast, brioche and spice.
Mouth coating blue and black fruits that find every nook and cranny in
the mouth linger on the finish for what seems like a minute. Notes of
cherry cola and sassafras add interest. A very hedonistic, yet
caressing wine. The alcohol is well balanced by harmonious t n‘ a.
Still drank great a day later from a previously opened re-corked bottle
predicting a long life ahead. This wine makes you want to clap your hands.
2005 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 850 cases, $45. Low yields due to poor
set so no reserve or special bottlings this vintage.
·
Bright berries, cherries and vanilla cream on the fresh nose.
Earth-kissed fruits on the palate showing youthful exuberance with a touch of sweet oak. The texture is very
polished. Still drank fine the next day from a previously opened re-corked bottle.
2006 Dehlinger Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 1,300 cases, $48. A blend from three of
the four hilltop locations (omitting the High Plains).
·
Still very young and unyielding. Swirling the wine brings
out scents of earthy dark red fruits, smoke and dark mocha. Richly fruited with a moderate tug of dry tannin.
The earthiness of the wine trumps the fruit at this stage. After 2 hours, the wine begins to blossom with
expanding flavors of savory fruit and a touch of spice. A wine to cellar for now, knowing but that it has
tremendous future potential.
Special Dehlinger Bottlings
1988 Dehlinger Estate Lot #2 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
12.9% alc.
$50 (current secondary market).
·
Slight brick color to rim. Very nice aromas of
black cherries, seasoned oak, toast and leather. Tart cherry and cranberry
flavors displaying a faded, earthy character. Lingering grapefruit peel on the
finish with minimal tannins. Some charm but the fruit is diluted and the acidity
has come to the forefront.
1990 Dehlinger Estate Lot #2 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc. $50 (current secondary market).
The back label says, “A soft, medium-bodied blend which is ready to drink.”
·
Still retaining good color with a
very slightly brick-colored rim in the glass. Charming nose of cherries, cinnamon spice, sandalwood, aged oak
and cigar smoke. Roasted cherry and cherry cola flavors with notes of berries and tobacco. The tannins are
completely resolved with some mild persistent acidity. Soft and smooth in the mouth with a touch of
astringency on the finish. Some interest and surprisingly respectable longevity.
1999 Dehlinger Octagon Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6%
alc., $50. Aged 18 months in French oak.
·
Slightly hazy in the glass.
A gorgeous wine in all respects that is drinking perfectly now.
Attractive aromas of mixed berry and cherry jam that make you want
to go on sniffing. Juicy and succulent, darkly fruited, with that
appealing Pinot sweetness. Nuanced flavors of cola, tea and truffle.
The well-endowed tannins are fine-grained and the finish is
ridiculously long. A ten-year-old wine that has aged beautifully and is special
in every way.
2000 Dehlinger Old Vine Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 430 cases, $30.
·
Demure scents of cherries, herbs and
faint oak. Very tasty cherry core with an appealing earthiness flanked
by baking spice ending with a citric tang on the finish. Not intense like
so many reserve bottlings, rather offering more charm and
sophistication. Plenty of finesse and proper t n’ a to last another 3-4
years. Lovely age related patina with fruit flavors that have been seemingly
simmered for several years. A wonderful wine.
2001 Dehlinger High Plains Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 225 cases, $48. Sourced from 13 year old Pommard
vines.
·
Delicate scents of cherries, spice, oak and green garden.
Delicious cherry core with a slight fennel note that is complimentary.
This wine has that Dehlinger restraint - an elegance that makes Pinot
Noir so appealing. The wine is still holding enough structure to last
another five years. A terrific wine that could stand up to any 2001 1er
Cru Burgundy.
Summary: Drink the Dehlinger Goldridge Vineyard Pinot Noirs with family and friends. Open the Dehlinger
Estate Pinot Noirs with special friends and Pinot geeks. Drink the special Dehlinger bottlings when you want to
share an evening of romance with your spouse or special friend.
Dehlinger Pinot Noir Releases 1993-2006
The following information was obtained from the biannual Dehlinger newsletters and is not complete.
1993
Goldridge Vineyard $13 (futures)
Estate $17 (futures)
1994
Goldridge Vineyard 700 cases, $13 (futures)
Estate 1,400 cases, $14 (futures)
Reserve 500 cases, $20 (futures)
1995
Goldridge Vineyard $22
Estate 1,100 cases, $28
1996
Goldridge Vineyard
Estate 990 cases, $32
Octagon 140 cases, $38
1997
Goldridge Vineyard 1,240 cases, $28
Estate 1,300 cases, $35
Octagon 390 cases, $45
Reserve 450 cases, $45 Served at White House New Year’s Eve Millennium Dinner
1998
Goldridge Vineyard 1,200 cases, $32
Estate 1,050 cases, $40
Octagon 210 cases, $50
1999
Goldridge Vineyard 1,290 cases, $35
Estate 1,260 cases, $42
High Plains 265 cases, $50
Octagon $50
2000
Goldridge Vineyard 1,340 cases, $35
Estate 1,600 cases, $35
High Plains 340 cases, $48
Octagon 350 cases, $50
Old Vine Reserve 430 cases, $50
2001
Goldridge Vineyard 1,600 cases, $35
Estate 1,300 cases, $40
High Plains 225 cases, $48
Octagon 225 cases, $50
Old Vine Reserve 225 cases, $50
2002
Goldridge Vineyard 1,300 cases, $35
Estate (includes High Plains section) 1,300 cases, $40
Octagon 250 cases, $50
Old Vine Reserve 190 cases, $55
2003
Goldridge Vineyard 1,300 cases, $36
Estate 1,300 cases, $42 (includes Octagon and High Plains sections)
2004
Goldridge Vineyard 1,300 cases, $39
Estate 1,150 cases, $45
Reserve 340 cases, $58 (mostly Old Vines section with some High Plains)
2005
Goldridge Vineyard 1,250 cases, $40
Estate 850 cases, $45
Poor fruit set - no special bottlings
2006
Goldridge Vineyard 1,600 cases, $44
Estate 1,300 cases, $48
Reserve 360 cases, $59 (primarily High Plains)
Rosé 110 cases, $15
2007
Goldridge Vineyard 1,340 cases, $45
Rosé 250 cases, $17
