Dec 30, 2022
Search This Site:
DeLoach Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Boisset Family Estates |
| Web site | www.deloachvineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
Boisset American purchased DeLoach out of bankruptcy in 2003, thirty years after its founding by Cecil De Loach in 1973, and brought in Greg La Follette to bolster the wines. He has since moved on to concentrate on his own label, La Follette Wines, but remained as a consultant. Winemakers Brian Maloney and Julia Vazquez took over.
The future looks bright here as there is serious a commitment to quality and an emphasis on small-lot vineyard-designate wines. The 17-acre vineyard that came with the winery had to be replanted and is now certified organic (by CCOF) and Biodynamic®. 2010 was the first vintage from the new vines. Boisset had to rebuild DeLoach's other fruit sources and currently they source from multiple growers in Green Valley, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain, Marin County, Occidental and Mendocino County. The winery's viticulturist is Eric Pooler.
Boisset has maintained the historic focus on Pinot Noir and Zinfandel while creating new wines at higher tiers - most notably the Vineyard Designate series, which includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. Currently there are 24 Vineyard Designate wines, some produced in as little as fifty cases.
Winemaker Brian Maloney has benefited from the upgrade in estate vineyards and vineyard sources and winemaking equipment since Boisset took over. Maloney grew up on his family's ranch in the Petaluma Gap, graduated from the Viticulture and Enology program at UC Davis, and worked his first harvest in 2003 at DeLoach Vineyards. He has remained there ever since. He also has overseen the rebirth of the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma. In 2012, his team was the first to make wine in the historic Champagne cellars in over 30 years. Maloney also guides the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of the JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset winery. He worked with Jean-Charles Boisset and Gregory Patriat, Winemaker at Jean-Claude Boisset winery in Nuits-St.-Georges, France, to create the innovative JCB #3, a wine that unites grapes from the Russian River Valley and Burgundy.
The Zinfandels are now vinified more like their Pinot Noir using open-top fermenters, minimizing tannins and limiting new oak to 25 percent or less.
Production is 150,000 cases annually. Several Pinot Noirs are produced: a Russian River Valley, Sonoma County and Green Valley appellation blends, the OFS release (previously the winery's top-tier label), and vineyard designates from more than six sources including Maboroshi Vineyard, Durell Vineyard and Sonoma Stage Vineyard. The California Pinot Noir is available in a 3L eco-bag for a "cellar-to-glass" wine drinking experience.
The wines are sold on the website and at the tasting room which is set on the beautiful winery grounds and open daily from 10:00 to 5:00. Tours of the winery and Biodynamic garden are offered Monday through Friday at 11:00 by appointment (707-526-9111). DeLoach will provide a picnic basket and picnic table by reservation in advance. Reserve tastings are also available. A Garden Tour is offered weekends by appointment. A seated guided wine and cheese pairing is also available by appointment.
Articles About DeLoach Vineyards
2012 California Value Priced Pinot Noirs Honorable Mention (9.17 12/26/2012)
Along the Pinot Trail in California: Part 2 - North Coast & Other (9.8 6/24/2012)
California Dreamin’: New Releases (10.48 2/13/2017)
Historic California Old Vine Pinot Noir Vineyards Pulled Out or Planted Shortly After 1980 or Lacking Verifiable Planting Information (12.8 8/30/2020)
More Sips of 2007 California Pinot Noir (7.21 7/9/2009)
Pinot Briefs (8.31 2/8/2011)
Pinot Briefs (8.22 9/22/2010)
Small Sips of More California Pinot (7.17 5/7/2009)
Tasty Pinots from the Russian River Valley (6.51 1/20/2008)
Top Wine of 2006… … … … ...Not (6.9 12/18/2006)
Reviewed Wines
2014 DeLoach Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.55, 8,926 cases, $25.
Sourced from BCD Vineyard, Becnel Vineyard, Heintz Vineyard and Murray Vineyard.Fermented in wooden
open-top vats, hand punch downs, basket pressed, and aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 10% new.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas arrive over time in the glass revealing notes of
Bing cherry, cranberry and oak spice and toast. Light to mid weight in style, with flavors of spiced Bing cherry,
cola and tobacco. Satiny mouthfeel, with a bit of shallow impression on the mid palate, finishing with modest
length. Easy to drink, but leans a bit too much on oak.
Score: 87.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 DeLoach Vineyards Marin County Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.57227 cases, $45. A
blend of two mature vineyards in Marin County, Stubbs and Corda. Fermented in small open-top fermenters
and aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 20% new.
·
Light reddish purple color in the glass. Demure aromas
of cherry, strawberry and earthy flora arrive slowly in the glass with swirling. More expressive on the palate, yet
delicate in weight, with primary flavors of red cherry and red berry. Nicely balanced, with a silken fabric and a
very modest finish.
Score: 88.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 DeLoach Vineyards Maboroshi Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.62, 802 cases, $50. Vineyard is
situated at 400 to 600 feet elevation in Sebastopol Hills. Clones 667 and
115 planted in Goldridge soil. Fermented in open top vats with hand
punch downs. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 35% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Both savory and fruity on the
nose, exhibiting aromas of cherry, dried herbs, wet mulch and a hint of
tobacco. Very charming in the mouth, with expansive flavors of black
cherry, savory herbs and tobacco robed in modest tannins. A silky
smooth texture attracts, and the wine has commendable harmony,
finishing with cherry and citric flavors.
Score: 90.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 DeLoach Vineyards Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.65, 1,350
cases, $70. Very heavy bottle with a gold crest on the front. The 17-acre Estate Vineyard is certified
Biodynamic®. One of only 64 wineries or vineyards in the U.S. with Demeter certified Biodynamic estate
vineyards. 8 clones - 115, “828,” Swan, La Tache, Calera, Mt. Eden, 777 and 23. Fermented for 16 months in
individual lots with native yeasts in open top fermenters, basked pressed and aged on the lees in French oak
barrels, 31% new, before being blended together and aged for an additional 2 months.
·
Moderate reddish
purple color in the glass. A regal nose leads off with aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, forest floor, spice
and toast. Plush and full-bodied in the mouth with accommodating tannic backbone, offering layers of black
raspberry, blackberry and plum fruits accented with spice and dark chocolate. Almost too much of a good thing.
Classy, with good acidity lifting the fruit load, finishing uncommonly long and generous. Best to lock this wine
away for a few years.
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 13, 2017
ARTICLE »
2010 DeLoach Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $18.50.
·
Moderately dark
reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black cherries and forest floor. Soft
in the mouth, with appealing dark red cherry flavor, displaying good balance and some length on the
finish. Good.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 DeLoach Vineyards California Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $10.
·
Moderately light
reddish-purple color in the glass. Slightly confected, with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and spice. Riper
fruit evident on the palate with notes of stewed plum and raisin. Moderately rich with noticeable oak backing,
offering some grainy tannins and bright acidity. Becomes less interesting over time in the glass. A suitable
daily drinker at the right price. Decent.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 DeLoach Vineyards Marin County Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 614 cases, $30. Winemaker Dan Goldfield.
Grower Mark Pasternak.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose opens slowly, reaching a
peak over 45 minutes in the glass, offering scents of dark red cherries and berries and subtle green herbs.
Dark raspberry flavor with an earthy bent on a medium frame with balanced fine-grain tannin and good acidity.
Nicely composed with some finishing length, but lacks a statement. A “pretty” wine. Very good.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 DeLoach Vineyards OFS Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., $30.
·
Dark reddish-purple hue
in the glass. This wine has a cooked fruit character. Aromas of dark berries, root beer and grilled fruit. Flavors
of currants, raisins, and cassis with notes of tea, tar and oak clothed in balanced dry tannins. Soft in the mouth
with a hot finish. Decent.
Reviewed June 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2007 DeLoach Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $18.50.
·
The nose exhibits aromas of slightly
confected black cherries with floral and herbal notes (“field nose”) and noticeable dark oak. Decent fullness on
the palate with flavors of strawberries and black cherries with a tang on the mildly persistent dry finish. This
will work at the table.
Reviewed May 7, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 DeLoach Vineyards Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.61, 991 cases, $45.
A blend of several vineyards and clones. Grapes are de-stemmed and undergo native fermentation in open top
vats with hand punch downs. Aged 9 months in 25% new French and Hungarian oak
·
Aromas of dark cherries, herbs, oak and mushrooms. Juicy core of black
cherries and cola with an underpinning of oak and a petrol note. Soft tannins with bright citric acidity on the
finish. Decent.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 DeLoach Vineyards Maboroshi Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., pH 3.53, 435 cases, $45. The vineyard name means
“whimsical dream” in Japanese. Farmed by the Kisaichi family and located
southwest of Sebastopol. Soils are Goldridge loam. Aged 12 months in 33% new French oak.
·
Intense aromas of black cherries, raspberries,
herbal oak and cardamon spice. Beautifully composed and gentle in the
mouth with tasty red raspberries and currants, a compelling earthiness,
and a tasty riff of oak. Harmonious with impressive glass-filling presence.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 DeLoach Vineyards Masut Vineyard Redwood Valley Pinot Noir
15.0%
alc., 1,000 cases, $45. Clones 113 and 115 were planted in 1996 according to
biodynamic principles and these vines are tended by pioneers of biodynamic
farming, Jacob Fetzer and his family.
·
Well oaked dark fruits on the nose.
Powerfully flavored earth-kissed dark raspberry fruit augmented by plum reduction
sauce, spice and a hint of grapefruit peel on the dry and slightly hot finish.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
ARTICLE »
2005 DeLoach Vineyards Russian River Valley OFS Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $28. This wine is a reserve
level Pinot Noir (OFS stands for “Only Finest Selection”). Open-top oak fermenters are used in
the vinification. These fermenters offer the advantages of advantageous temperature maintenance,
slow and gentle fermentation, and ideal extraction.
·
Very nice cherry and raspberry infused wine which
is elegant, silky and nicely balanced. There are pleasing wood overtones and the lively acid make it a
delicious wine with roast chicken.
Reviewed January 20, 2008
ARTICLE »
2004 DeLoach Vineyards 30th Anniversary Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 350 cases, $45 (sold out). This commemorative bottling comes from
the original De Loach estate Pinot Noir vineyard adjacent to the winery planted
in 1977. The vines were removed after the 2004 harvest and replaced with new
plantings farmed biodynamically. The wine was made with 100% whole cluster
fermentation in open top wood fermenters. Aging was in French oak for 10
months.
·
I drank this wine twice this past year several months apart with consistent
notes. It is a medium-bodied Pinot Noir which really needs significant air time to
reveal its charms. Initially the nose is closed. Flavors of herbs, oak, plum and
cranberry lead to a finish which is stemmy, herbal and moderately astringent with a hint of heat. The texture
is smooth and satisfying. I left an opened bottle overnight and re tasted the next day. The nose had
cleaned up significantly with appealing toast and cherries. The overall impression was more mellowness
and the back end astringency had resolved. The finish now featured some lingering spice and a hint of
oak. This wine will benefit from a couple years in the cellar. A decent Pinot with potential, but just not my
cup of tea (pinot). When you consider taste, price and availability, I just don’t see how this wine could
be the Top Wine out of 10,000, let alone the top Pinot Noir.
Reviewed December 18, 2006
ARTICLE »
2014 DeLoach Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.55, 8,926 cases, $25. Sourced from BCD Vineyard, Becnel Vineyard, Heintz Vineyard and Murray Vineyard.Fermented in wooden open-top vats, hand punch downs, basket pressed, and aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 10% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas arrive over time in the glass revealing notes of Bing cherry, cranberry and oak spice and toast. Light to mid weight in style, with flavors of spiced Bing cherry, cola and tobacco. Satiny mouthfeel, with a bit of shallow impression on the mid palate, finishing with modest length. Easy to drink, but leans a bit too much on oak. Score: 87. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 DeLoach Vineyards Marin County Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.57227 cases, $45. A blend of two mature vineyards in Marin County, Stubbs and Corda. Fermented in small open-top fermenters and aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Light reddish purple color in the glass. Demure aromas of cherry, strawberry and earthy flora arrive slowly in the glass with swirling. More expressive on the palate, yet delicate in weight, with primary flavors of red cherry and red berry. Nicely balanced, with a silken fabric and a very modest finish. Score: 88. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 DeLoach Vineyards Maboroshi Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.62, 802 cases, $50. Vineyard is situated at 400 to 600 feet elevation in Sebastopol Hills. Clones 667 and 115 planted in Goldridge soil. Fermented in open top vats with hand punch downs. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Both savory and fruity on the nose, exhibiting aromas of cherry, dried herbs, wet mulch and a hint of tobacco. Very charming in the mouth, with expansive flavors of black cherry, savory herbs and tobacco robed in modest tannins. A silky smooth texture attracts, and the wine has commendable harmony, finishing with cherry and citric flavors. Score: 90. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 DeLoach Vineyards Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.40, TA 0.65, 1,350 cases, $70. Very heavy bottle with a gold crest on the front. The 17-acre Estate Vineyard is certified Biodynamic®. One of only 64 wineries or vineyards in the U.S. with Demeter certified Biodynamic estate vineyards. 8 clones - 115, “828,” Swan, La Tache, Calera, Mt. Eden, 777 and 23. Fermented for 16 months in individual lots with native yeasts in open top fermenters, basked pressed and aged on the lees in French oak barrels, 31% new, before being blended together and aged for an additional 2 months. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. A regal nose leads off with aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, forest floor, spice and toast. Plush and full-bodied in the mouth with accommodating tannic backbone, offering layers of black raspberry, blackberry and plum fruits accented with spice and dark chocolate. Almost too much of a good thing. Classy, with good acidity lifting the fruit load, finishing uncommonly long and generous. Best to lock this wine away for a few years. Score: 92. Reviewed February 13, 2017 ARTICLE »
2010 DeLoach Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $18.50. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black cherries and forest floor. Soft in the mouth, with appealing dark red cherry flavor, displaying good balance and some length on the finish. Good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 DeLoach Vineyards California Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $10. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Slightly confected, with aromas of strawberries, cherries, and spice. Riper fruit evident on the palate with notes of stewed plum and raisin. Moderately rich with noticeable oak backing, offering some grainy tannins and bright acidity. Becomes less interesting over time in the glass. A suitable daily drinker at the right price. Decent. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 DeLoach Vineyards Marin County Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 614 cases, $30. Winemaker Dan Goldfield. Grower Mark Pasternak. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose opens slowly, reaching a peak over 45 minutes in the glass, offering scents of dark red cherries and berries and subtle green herbs. Dark raspberry flavor with an earthy bent on a medium frame with balanced fine-grain tannin and good acidity. Nicely composed with some finishing length, but lacks a statement. A “pretty” wine. Very good. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 DeLoach Vineyards OFS Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., $30. · Dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. This wine has a cooked fruit character. Aromas of dark berries, root beer and grilled fruit. Flavors of currants, raisins, and cassis with notes of tea, tar and oak clothed in balanced dry tannins. Soft in the mouth with a hot finish. Decent. Reviewed June 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2007 DeLoach Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $18.50. · The nose exhibits aromas of slightly confected black cherries with floral and herbal notes (“field nose”) and noticeable dark oak. Decent fullness on the palate with flavors of strawberries and black cherries with a tang on the mildly persistent dry finish. This will work at the table. Reviewed May 7, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 DeLoach Vineyards Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.61, 991 cases, $45. A blend of several vineyards and clones. Grapes are de-stemmed and undergo native fermentation in open top vats with hand punch downs. Aged 9 months in 25% new French and Hungarian oak · Aromas of dark cherries, herbs, oak and mushrooms. Juicy core of black cherries and cola with an underpinning of oak and a petrol note. Soft tannins with bright citric acidity on the finish. Decent. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 DeLoach Vineyards Maboroshi Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., pH 3.53, 435 cases, $45. The vineyard name means “whimsical dream” in Japanese. Farmed by the Kisaichi family and located southwest of Sebastopol. Soils are Goldridge loam. Aged 12 months in 33% new French oak. · Intense aromas of black cherries, raspberries, herbal oak and cardamon spice. Beautifully composed and gentle in the mouth with tasty red raspberries and currants, a compelling earthiness, and a tasty riff of oak. Harmonious with impressive glass-filling presence. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 DeLoach Vineyards Masut Vineyard Redwood Valley Pinot Noir
15.0% alc., 1,000 cases, $45. Clones 113 and 115 were planted in 1996 according to biodynamic principles and these vines are tended by pioneers of biodynamic farming, Jacob Fetzer and his family. · Well oaked dark fruits on the nose. Powerfully flavored earth-kissed dark raspberry fruit augmented by plum reduction sauce, spice and a hint of grapefruit peel on the dry and slightly hot finish. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »
2005 DeLoach Vineyards Russian River Valley OFS Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $28. This wine is a reserve level Pinot Noir (OFS stands for “Only Finest Selection”). Open-top oak fermenters are used in the vinification. These fermenters offer the advantages of advantageous temperature maintenance, slow and gentle fermentation, and ideal extraction. · Very nice cherry and raspberry infused wine which is elegant, silky and nicely balanced. There are pleasing wood overtones and the lively acid make it a delicious wine with roast chicken. Reviewed January 20, 2008 ARTICLE »
2004 DeLoach Vineyards 30th Anniversary Cuvée Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 350 cases, $45 (sold out). This commemorative bottling comes from the original De Loach estate Pinot Noir vineyard adjacent to the winery planted in 1977. The vines were removed after the 2004 harvest and replaced with new plantings farmed biodynamically. The wine was made with 100% whole cluster fermentation in open top wood fermenters. Aging was in French oak for 10 months. · I drank this wine twice this past year several months apart with consistent notes. It is a medium-bodied Pinot Noir which really needs significant air time to reveal its charms. Initially the nose is closed. Flavors of herbs, oak, plum and cranberry lead to a finish which is stemmy, herbal and moderately astringent with a hint of heat. The texture is smooth and satisfying. I left an opened bottle overnight and re tasted the next day. The nose had cleaned up significantly with appealing toast and cherries. The overall impression was more mellowness and the back end astringency had resolved. The finish now featured some lingering spice and a hint of oak. This wine will benefit from a couple years in the cellar. A decent Pinot with potential, but just not my cup of tea (pinot). When you consider taste, price and availability, I just don’t see how this wine could be the Top Wine out of 10,000, let alone the top Pinot Noir. Reviewed December 18, 2006 ARTICLE »