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 Vintage2004 Label 1 of 31 
TypeRed
ProducerDehlinger (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
DesignationEstate
Vineyardn/a
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionSonoma County
AppellationRussian River Valley

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2008 and 2015 (based on 14 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Dehlinger Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Estate on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 102 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by Mike Dildine on 4/18/2018 & rated 95 points: Very vibrant and delicious. Aging beautifully. (1671 views)
 Tasted by dfcrutcher on 4/15/2018 & rated 90 points: Still drinking nicely, so no urgent need to drink up. Nice fruit, medium bodied. (1535 views)
 Tasted by jasonh on 11/19/2017 & rated 88 points: Popped and poured and then consumed over about 4 hours. The wine is fine but not overly compelling. Still showing a lot of ripe primary fruit. Smells great and is tasty but everything about this wine is simple. Bright acidity does help with this massive wine. Hard to predict but I will hold my last bottle for another 5-7 years to see if it will transition. (1730 views)
 Tasted by yatchisin on 1/2/2017 & rated 88 points: Wine opened for party on 1/1, cork broke, needed time to find itself. Re-corked and drank the next day and was much better: As with previous bottle, going to brown but delicious--deep red fruit on nose and palate--plum, blackberry, cassis. (2275 views)
 Tasted by Nanda on 9/22/2016 & rated 90 points: A fine example of RRV Pinot. Forward, full and concentrated nose has cola, sweet black cherry and spice. Palate is richly fruited, round and quite fresh/lifted. This was really easy and enjoyable to drink. Very true to character. (2622 views)
 Tasted by yatchisin on 8/22/2016 & rated 90 points: Slightly going to brown but delicious--deep red fruit on nose and palate--plum, blackberry, cassis. Herbal notes tending to balsam. Dehlinger ages very well. (1703 views)
 Tasted by jjou on 3/21/2015: Better on day 3. A little too candy like. (2872 views)
 Tasted by Nanda on 1/31/2015: Heady nose with concentrated mature black cherry fruit, spice, toasted herbs is starting to show some fumes. Palate is medium rich with one-part delicious fruit, one-part herby, spice notes and one-part oak char. There is textural balance but the flavor profile has too much heat and toast. I worry about where this is headed. I would drink up now. (2695 views)
 Tasted by affordableCollector on 5/22/2014 & rated 87 points: light red, in color. raspberry, cherry, spice, on the nose. cherry, raspberry, spice, on the palate. medium acid, on the finish. (2316 views)
 Tasted by Eric Anderson on 5/6/2014 & rated 88 points: This '04 is marginally better than the '03 of two nights ago. Similar in nose (too confected), but at least there's some fruit on the palate this time, instead of flavored sugar water. When reading others' TNs, it's hard to believe I'm drinking the same wine. (2681 views)
 Tasted by sbbulldog on 5/2/2014 & rated 94 points: Maybe I'm just a Dehlinger cheerleader, but I love this. The '04 is a fully matured gem. The color is deep purple and opaque. It's probably my nose, but it isn't giving up much, which then leads to a gorgeous medley of fruit flavors, mostly dark, kirsch, and baked. Just wonderful. (2673 views)
 Tasted by blaine on 10/29/2013 & rated 92 points: Fleshy 2004. An excellent example of the vintage, and showing a bit more balancing acidity then many I've tasted. With that said, not particularly acidic. The big fruit typical of the vintage is also more in balance, patience has been rewarded here. Drinking very well, probably has some great years left, but I'd recommend taking advantage of this great spot it's in. (2471 views)
 Tasted by jimmythesaint on 2/11/2013: Another fine bottle of wine. Loren Is spot on with his TN. (2975 views)
 Tasted by dabovino on 11/25/2012 & rated 92 points: Enjoyed this wine immensely. Well balanced. Drinking very well now. Patience has been rewarded here. (2980 views)
 Tasted by Loren Sonkin on 8/19/2012 & rated 93 points: A whole bunch of Wines (mostly Sonoma) with friends (Chris and Renee's): Great showing for this wine. it is in a really nice place right now. Ruby in color. The nose is earthy with some cherries. This is a more feminine Pinot. Layered with earth, cherries and slight dried cherry notes. Great balance. A lovely sour cherry finish. Everything I like in a Pinot. Surprisingly, my wife who tends to like bigger wines, really liked this one as well. (3788 views)
 Tasted by tomlee on 5/21/2012 & rated 93 points: Aging beautifully. Baked cherries, red fruits, brown sugar with a touch of spice and mineral. Will cruise to 10 years of age. Delicious wine. (3345 views)
 Tasted by plitton on 5/11/2012 & rated 92 points: From a slightly blurred memory...this has come together very nicely. Well integrated and balanced. Cola, strawberries, cherries and sweetness. (2746 views)
 Tasted by Rangstrom on 1/17/2012 & rated 93 points: This is really in its sweet spot--literally and figuratively. Sweet red fruits follow the cork out of the bottle. The overdone body and fruit of some of the '04s is not found here. Instead you get a medium weight, elegant wash of cherries, strawberry and orange. An excellent example of a Dehlinger PN starting its dance. (3074 views)
 Tasted by 6831 on 12/27/2011 & rated 90 points: Very expressive nose with loads of pine, spices, resin, chalk.
Bright red fruit flavors at midpalate joined with candied friut, white pepper, smokey spices.
Finishes strongly with clean flavors and balance. Very nice. (2966 views)
 Tasted by pismo45 on 11/28/2011 & rated 90 points: Nice red fruits. (2775 views)
 Tasted by davudvl on 11/19/2011 & rated 93 points: My first Dehlinger and probably the best bottle I had this year. Color, nose, palate. Everything was perfect. (2749 views)
 Tasted by pjhr on 11/16/2011 & rated 91 points: Much better than the last bottle. But the ripe fruit in this vintage I do not think will age well. (2777 views)
 Tasted by pjhr on 11/14/2011 flawed bottle: Ultra-ripe fruit on the nose and palate with surmaturité notes and a touch of ETOH on the nose and finish. Will drink up my last bottle soon as I am not confident that the ripe 2004 vintage will hold up. (2759 views)
 Tasted by dabovino on 11/12/2011 & rated 92 points: wonderfully balanced pinot with tart cherry and strawberry on the palate. Very elegant pinot, not over the top but very easy to appreciate. Drinking beautifully right now. (2749 views)
 Tasted by SeaSmoke on 9/11/2011 & rated 92 points: My last bottle. What a treat. Continues to drink well. This wine will still be great in 3-4 years. Red fruit (cherries, raspberries) on the palate with a hint of spice. Very smooth and an excellent finish. (2751 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Allen Meadows
Burghound, 4th Quarter, 2007, Issue #28
(Dehlinger Winery Pinot Noir Estate Red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2007, IWC Issue #132
(Dehlinger Winery Pinot Noir Estate Russian River Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (3/18/2010)
(Dehlinger Pinot Noir Estate) Group's #7 (my #6) – 58 pts; 0, 0, 2, 2 - dark cherry red color with pale meniscus; cherry pie (including the crust), raspberry, berry nose; young yet, tart cherry, berry, oak palate; medium-plus finish  89 points
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (4/9/2009)
(Dehlinger Pinot Noir Estate) Group's #6 (my #6) – 67 pts.; 2, 2, 0, 3 – medium red violet color with pale meniscus; brown sugar, baked cherry, black raspberry nose with depth; sweet, ripe black cherry, cherry, black raspberry palate; medium finish (tasted a lot like what turned out to be the '03)  90 points
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (9/12/2007)
(Dehlinger Pinot Noir Estate) Medium cherry red color; big, redolent, tart cherry, plum and black fruit nose; ripe berries and plum on palate, with depth; medium finish 91+ pts.  91 points
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Burghound and Vinous and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Dehlinger

Producer Website

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

Estate

In the United States, "Wines with “estate bottled” designations must: a) also designate an appellation of origin or an AVA, and both the vineyards and the winery must be located there; b) the grapes must come from vineyards owned or controlled by the winery; and c) the wine must have been produced, from crush to bottle, in a continuous process without leaving the winery’s premises."

- WINE LABEL FAQS: A QUICK SUMMARY OF LABEL DESIGNATION RULES" by David E. Stoll

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

California

2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson

Sonoma County

Mendocino County

Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia

 
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