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 Vintage2007 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 2010 and 2017 (based on 15 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 91.9 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 121 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by Schwarzer Hund on 2/21/2022: ruby red, immediate nose of spice and mixed berries. Ripe mixed berry fruit, spice, minerals and low acid. Medium weight, very smooth on palate, long finish. Our last bottle :-( (748 views)
 Tasted by davudvl on 10/18/2019: Past its prime (1299 views)
 Tasted by markcic on 9/28/2019 & rated 91 points: Exactly like the bottles I had this spring right down to the broken cork. We left it open for an hour or so and then poured through a spout with a strainer to filter the small pieces or cork that remianed in the bottle. Dark cherry, strawberry, a hint of raspberry and a touch of spice on the palate. Drinking well at 12 years old. (1374 views)
 Tasted by tomlee on 8/30/2019 & rated 96 points: Crimson in color. 14.9% ABV. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, cloves, cola and baking spices. Medium body with exquisite acidity. Incredibly refined and elegant. Bing cherry, sarsaparilla, earth and truffles on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from one of the iconic producers in the region. Dehlinger Pinot Noir rarely gets better than this. Drink over the next several years. (1483 views)
 Tasted by markcic on 8/11/2019 & rated 91 points: Similar to the bottle I had 6 weeks ago (including a broken cork). Dark cherry, strawberry, a hint of raspberry and a touch of spice on the palate. Drinking well at 12 years old. (1343 views)
 Tasted by markcic on 7/1/2019 & rated 91 points: The cork broke upon extraction so we inserted a vintorio. There was red fruit on the nose. At first taste I did not like this wine as it was like drinking raspberry syrup. After around two hours the wine came around with vibrant flavors of dark cherry, dark plums, strawberry and hints of raspberry with baking spices coming through on the finish. What i thought would be a disaster turned out to be a really nice wine. (853 views)
 Tasted by Winokdub on 6/25/2019 & rated 92 points: Surprising fruit. Great nose and mouthfeel. Lingering finish. No need to wait or decant. Pop and pour and enjoy. Wish I had more. (386 views)
 Tasted by karpos on 3/28/2019 & rated 90 points: Well balanced and still tasty. (503 views)
 Tasted by dsimmons on 10/2/2018 & rated 93 points: Delicious. Drank with pan grilled silver salmon. Cherry fruit, earth, excellent balance. Wish I had more (795 views)
 Tasted by SeaWine on 6/14/2018 & rated 91 points: A richer style clocking in at 14.9% ABV, with a whisp of alcohol only rarely noticeable for me, I think some of the richness has ebbed away over the preceding years, which is OK by me. These days I prefer a slightly different style, but this was still good, and I'd enjoy it again. I've not yet had a Dehlinger I didn't at least like. At time of consumption, the "best enjoyed" community date was 2017, which I wouldn't agree with. Don't see why this can't go until 2019, maybe longer. (774 views)
 Tasted by jwebtx on 11/24/2017: Still showing well with ample fruit and decent acidity. I would not say the wine has developed or blossomed into something new or magical, but it was a nice cali pinot for turkey etc. I would drink them sooner since I don't see this picking up steam. (1159 views)
 Tasted by buckeye76 on 11/23/2017 & rated 92 points: Medium to full bodied Pinot with black cherries and black raspberries, licorice, chocolate, and spice. Long finish (956 views)
 Tasted by Jack on 11/16/2017 & rated 94 points: Beautiful! D is so consistent and never disappoints. (975 views)
 Tasted by Mr T on 5/1/2017: cranberry on the nose but sweeter red fruits with a candied touch...quite new world but I enjoyed the sweeter notes (1562 views)
 Tasted by Schwarzer Hund on 3/18/2017: Haven't opened one of these pinots since 2013. It was very good then and even better now. Deep red color, dried cherry and red berry aromas and fruit. Seems in perfect balance, finishes tannin free and seems to go on for a very long time. Will revisit next year for another treat. (1397 views)
 Tasted by Savannahman on 3/16/2017 & rated 95 points: Very Nice, ripe cherries on the palate but not too heavy. Tannins integrated nicely. Its a shame I only had 2 bottles of this, now only one. I couldnt imagine a better pinot, but maybe there is one out there. The 95 is ultra conservative. (1300 views)
 Tasted by billyfitnessop on 11/24/2016 & rated 93 points: I have been drinking Tom Dehlinger's wines for almost 20 yrs now and am always amazed at not only the ageability, but how (once again) the same bottle changes year after year. In this case, the '07, this is sadly my final bottle of 6.
This wine is so well integrated at this point: appearance, nose, acidity, fruit, minerality, and finish all marrying harmoniously. What once was bright strawberry, acidity, and short finish has evolved to baked strawberry, rose petals, mushroom, granite, and damp leaf. Finish is a delight minutes later.
Happy Thanksgiving. (1454 views)
 Tasted by tomlee on 1/26/2016 & rated 94 points: Crimson in color. 14.9% ABV. Soaring nose of red fruits, cloves, nutmeg and forest floor. Rich and supple on the palate with beautiful acidity. Pretty flavors of fresh strawberry, cranberry and black cherry. The finish is exquisite. Just entering its ideal drinking window. Drink over the next 2-4 years. (2541 views)
 Tasted by drwinenut on 1/22/2016 & rated 94 points: It is another example for me that I tend to drink pinots too early. The wine had picked interesting and delicious nuances, and complexity. the cherriness was still present, they were mature dried cherries. The tannins are well integrated, both there and not there. Just coming together nicely (1628 views)
 Tasted by Savannahman on 12/22/2015 & rated 95 points: I recently reviewed a bottle of this saying it has begun its decline. It was a looking redish brown and just tasted old. I had a few more in the cellar and figured I'd better get busy. I opened another tonight expecting the same and instead I got a deep ruby red full bodied pinot full of ripe red fruit with a wondrful finish. I hope the rest are like this one. Simply delightful, a near perfect Pinot. (1485 views)
 Tasted by drwinenut on 12/18/2015 & rated 93 points: The over the top cherry/berry flavor are nicely honed to more rustic flavors. Good acidity, but balance and so much going on for a normale (1450 views)
 Tasted by Savannahman on 12/16/2015 & rated 88 points: I believe this wine is in its decline. Time to finish these up and start on the 2008's . (1276 views)
 Tasted by blaine on 12/7/2015 & rated 91 points: Consistent with prior note from 2013. No sign of age. (566 views)
 Tasted by Savannahman on 8/9/2015 & rated 94 points: Another incredible pinot. Wonderful upfront fruit with and endless finish. Fantastic Wine! (932 views)
 Tasted by ogres3 on 5/22/2015 & rated 91 points: Not bad for a pinot. Ripe red somewhat full-bodied fruit. Could use a bit more of a finish. (1066 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2010, IWC Issue #150
(Dehlinger Winery Pinot Noir Estate Russian River Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
By Allen Meadows
Burghound, October 2009, Issue #36
(Dehlinger Winery Pinot Noir Estate Villages Red) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Burghound. (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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