An uninviting nose - a bit too much alcohol. On tasting, the wine shows a good mix of tea, pepper and cream, finishing with a long and slightly bitter but nice cola taste. Some vegetal taste too. Decent and interesting pinot in a decidedly CA style. No one will confuse this with a French red burgundy. Could continue to evolve in cellar for a few more years. (I noticed that the projection for this wine on Cellar tracker is 2022, so I revised on Cellar Tracker to 2029. It seems to be getting better with time.)
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Uncorked, poured and serially tasted over three hours, this medium-to-deep ruby Pinot continues to offers aromas and flavors of Bing cherries, cocoa, red licorice, fig, cola and black tea. Medium-bodied, fresh, softly tannic, proportionately oaked and without any heat from its 14.9% alcohol, it remains dense on the mid-palate and finishes with impressive length. Well-cellared bottles such as this will last longer than previously projected. Drink now-2030.
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Dinking very well. Big dark cherry and cola fruit, chewy mouthfeel, long finish and a nose just starting to get some secondary characteristics. A little rough even around the edges at times. Could likely age for a few more years although excellent now.
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Decanted for one hour. Dark cherries, cocoa, red licorice, and cedar on the nose and palate. Medium tannins with just the right amount of spice. Medium finish. This wine is drinking so well right now.
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Decanted for one hour. Dark cherries, cocoa, red licorice, and cedar on the nose and palate. Medium tannins with just the right amount of spice. Medium finish. This wine is drinking so well right now.
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Still medium-to-deep ruby in color, this Pinot remains rich...but ever so elegant. Bing cherry, cocoa, fig, red licorice and black tea dominate the nose and medium-bodied palate. Freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.9%), softly tannic and with an appropriate amount of spicy oak, it is layered on the mid-palate and long on the finish. Those unfamiliar with Dehlinger's wines should give them a try, because this producer never fails to impress. Drink now-2026.
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PnP. Medium dark red. Intense berry nose - blackberry and strawberry in particular. Strong flavors echoing the nose on the palate with some significant tannins and the alcohol is noticeable (almost 15%). Needs a few years to mellow.
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Elegant fruit and acidic balance. Cherry, red currant and raspberry tasting notes with a soft white pepper finish. Perfect for a crush walnut crusted steelhead.
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This medium-to-deep ruby wine is rich yet elegant, with a core of dark cherry fruit that is accented with cocoa, fig, red licorice and black tea. Medium-bodied, fresh, judiciously oaked and with nicely integrated alcohol (listed as 14.9%), it wraps its fruit with silky tannins and has excellent mid-palate density. Layered and long on the back end, this is a superb Pinot that should show well for several more years. Drink now-2026.
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For me, this wine was good but not great. Frankly, I was expecting more but this is my first Dehlinger PN. This was all fruit and almost too "sweet." I like some bass notes in Pinot Noir and this had none. Perhaps this was too young, but I'm sensing that Cali PN might not always be to my liking. I'll hold my other for a few more years.
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Medium-to-deep ruby in color, this wine combines richness with finesse. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, cocoa, red licorice and black tea reside in a medium-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.9%) frame. The tannins are silky and there is nice density in the middle. Finishing long and smooth, this is a quality Pinot that should deliver pleasure for many more years. Drink now-2026.
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Nose of bright red raspberries and strawberries with a hint of cedar smoke. Similar palate with the additional touch of cloves and white pepper. Very nicely balanced with a medium to long finish. Very enjoyable!
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Curved and ostentatious, with gobbs of fruit, brick, dried forest and pine resin. Full-bodied, with well-strewn tannins. All though this is so marvelous today, more time in the cellar will bring out the bottom layers even more. Drink 2018 - 2025.
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Had to try another bottle ... see my note of 12/21 ... not repeating. This vintage of Goldridge is incredibly appealing now, wonderful pinot aromas, richness of flavor with suitable acid balance, long finish. It is a soft, lush wine with soft tannins in the background. On the con side among burgundy aficionados, it is a little fruity sweet. You couldn't go wrong drinking this early. No clue on how it will be long term. I'm going to offer a 93-94 NOW and keep the 92-93 overall potential.
1/22/17 Drank this over 3 nights, excellent for all 3. Tonight the "fruity sweetness" seems gone with better balance. Dehlinger is hitting on all cylinders. I'm impressed. 93-94 potential, reason for 93 is absence of flavor signature.
3/19/17 This is my last bottle of many. I upped the score based on "now". Drinking the bottles since January was a hedonistic experience. I'm sorry I no longer have them; I loved drinking them and am pleased I took the opportunity while the wine was soooo good (but am embarrassed to admit it, not my usual practice).
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Dark, rich, lush, flavorful. After drinking a case of Equinox and enjoying it, the Goldridge was a surprise large step up in complexity and richness. The first half bottle was soft and very friendly, with typical Dehlinger flavors (others describe this better than I). The 2d half displays a more structured wine, with excellent acid tannin balance. I initially thought this less structured than the 2013, not sure now. I do like it better although can't award it an extra point. The trick will be keeping away from it for a while and can gain further in the bottle :-) Credit to the Dehlinger team. I think they are going from one high to the next.
Postscript: I think I was wrong about this wine. It has wonderful flavors but it now isn't obvious it will develop better than the 2013. I'll have reprise in 6 months. Both wines are at the top of the alcohol totem pole, 14.9% per bottle label. It is more apparent with the 2014.
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Very similar to its 2013 Goldridge sibling, this medium-to-deep ruby Pinot combines richness with finesse. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, cocoa, red licorice and black tea reside in a medium-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.9%) frame. The tannins are plentiful but silky-textured, and the wine is dense in the middle. Finishing long and smooth, this is another outstanding effort from the Dehlinger winemaking team. Already delicious, it has the structure to get even better with time in the cellar. Drink now-2026.
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2/25/2024 - davidb18 Likes this wine: 90 Points
An uninviting nose - a bit too much alcohol. On tasting, the wine shows a good mix of tea, pepper and cream, finishing with a long and slightly bitter but nice cola taste. Some vegetal taste too. Decent and interesting pinot in a decidedly CA style. No one will confuse this with a French red burgundy. Could continue to evolve in cellar for a few more years. (I noticed that the projection for this wine on Cellar tracker is 2022, so I revised on Cellar Tracker to 2029. It seems to be getting better with time.)
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6/29/2023 - RJWallis Likes this wine: 93 Points
One hour decant. Bright, fruity, juicy, paired perfectly with duck confit
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11/20/2022 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
Uncorked, poured and serially tasted over three hours, this medium-to-deep ruby Pinot continues to offers aromas and flavors of Bing cherries, cocoa, red licorice, fig, cola and black tea. Medium-bodied, fresh, softly tannic, proportionately oaked and without any heat from its 14.9% alcohol, it remains dense on the mid-palate and finishes with impressive length. Well-cellared bottles such as this will last longer than previously projected. Drink now-2030.
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10/10/2022 - Dine&Vine Likes this wine:
Same as previous comments. Special wine.
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1/31/2022 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ahhhh! marvelous drinking superbly !
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1/7/2022 - Sperls Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dinking very well. Big dark cherry and cola fruit, chewy mouthfeel, long finish and a nose just starting to get some secondary characteristics. A little rough even around the edges at times. Could likely age for a few more years although excellent now.
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12/20/2021 - 6831 wrote: 93 Points
Bright and rich with nice complexity on the midpalte with spicy cherry notes, orange peel, white pepper and graceful oak. Deep finish.
Drink or hold
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6/16/2021 - Dine&Vine Likes this wine: 93 Points
So smooth and tasty. Drinking perfectly now. Cola, dark cherries and hint of rose pedals. Just another great Pinot for Tom.
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6/9/2021 - rinnocenzi Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking great right now
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9/8/2020 - expres1038 Likes this wine: 93 Points
So good
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8/16/2020 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for one hour. Dark cherries, cocoa, red licorice, and cedar on the nose and palate. Medium tannins with just the right amount of spice. Medium finish. This wine is drinking so well right now.
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8/9/2020 - jweedin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Classic dehlinger Russian River Pinot. Better than first bottle. Great with and without food
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5/17/2020 - lzelman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent!!
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4/27/2020 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Comments unchanged from March 2020.
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3/29/2020 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for one hour. Dark cherries, cocoa, red licorice, and cedar on the nose and palate. Medium tannins with just the right amount of spice. Medium finish. This wine is drinking so well right now.
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1/25/2020 - ewsds Likes this wine: 92 Points
Savory dark fruits with great finish. Quite delicious, and it would merit a higher score if it had more supporting structure. Drink soon.
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12/12/2019 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still medium-to-deep ruby in color, this Pinot remains rich...but ever so elegant. Bing cherry, cocoa, fig, red licorice and black tea dominate the nose and medium-bodied palate. Freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.9%), softly tannic and with an appropriate amount of spicy oak, it is layered on the mid-palate and long on the finish. Those unfamiliar with Dehlinger's wines should give them a try, because this producer never fails to impress. Drink now-2026.
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11/26/2019 - jweedin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Can’t go wrong with this wine any vintage. Every year is different. This is ready to drink now
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8/15/2019 - rosenst1 wrote: 90 Points
PnP. Medium dark red. Intense berry nose - blackberry and strawberry in particular. Strong flavors echoing the nose on the palate with some significant tannins and the alcohol is noticeable (almost 15%). Needs a few years to mellow.
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7/19/2019 - swoop71 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich, smooth, elegant
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2/25/2019 - swoop71 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Elegant fruit and acidic balance. Cherry, red currant and raspberry tasting notes with a soft white pepper finish. Perfect for a crush walnut crusted steelhead.
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12/8/2018 - winejnky wrote: 93 Points
So smooth, really well put together Pinot, shows cranberry, pomegranate and strawberry fruit, then sauve minreality and an easy finish.
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10/29/2018 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
This medium-to-deep ruby wine is rich yet elegant, with a core of dark cherry fruit that is accented with cocoa, fig, red licorice and black tea. Medium-bodied, fresh, judiciously oaked and with nicely integrated alcohol (listed as 14.9%), it wraps its fruit with silky tannins and has excellent mid-palate density. Layered and long on the back end, this is a superb Pinot that should show well for several more years. Drink now-2026.
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10/22/2018 - BRR Likes this wine: 86 Points
For me, this wine was good but not great. Frankly, I was expecting more but this is my first Dehlinger PN. This was all fruit and almost too "sweet." I like some bass notes in Pinot Noir and this had none. Perhaps this was too young, but I'm sensing that Cali PN might not always be to my liking. I'll hold my other for a few more years.
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9/17/2018 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Loved it.
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7/2/2018 - adon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cherry, kola, strawberry, nutmeg right off the bat. Round in the mouth. Nice balance. Long finish.
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6/2/2018 - winejnky Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is fantastic!
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4/21/2018 - Iceman611 wrote: 92 Points
Thoroughly enjoyable. Deep fruit and structure. Comes across as relatively smooth and alkaline as opposed to bright and acidic.
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2/18/2018 - Mbergymann Likes this wine: 93 Points
What can I say, it’s dehlinger and it’s delicious. Drinks great now and will drink great later
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1/3/2018 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
Medium-to-deep ruby in color, this wine combines richness with finesse. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, cocoa, red licorice and black tea reside in a medium-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.9%) frame. The tannins are silky and there is nice density in the middle. Finishing long and smooth, this is a quality Pinot that should deliver pleasure for many more years. Drink now-2026.
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12/3/2017 - MRichman wrote:
A real Cali Pinot. Rich, pure, clean. A beautiful wine that is wonderful within its flavor profile.
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10/6/2017 - K-Web24 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose of bright red raspberries and strawberries with a hint of cedar smoke. Similar palate with the additional touch of cloves and white pepper. Very nicely balanced with a medium to long finish. Very enjoyable!
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9/22/2017 - shaferguy91 wrote: 92 Points
No decant.
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8/22/2017 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 94 Points
Curved and ostentatious, with gobbs of fruit, brick, dried forest and pine resin. Full-bodied, with well-strewn tannins. All though this is so marvelous today, more time in the cellar will bring out the bottom layers even more. Drink 2018 - 2025.
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6/17/2017 - alpha_ori Likes this wine: 91 Points
2017 Russian River trip; 6/17/2017-6/19/2017 (Sebastopol, Graton, Forestville): Wow, what a great nose. The palate has a great tartness and balancing bitterness, the pair of which becomes the focus over the fruit. Enjoyable.
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1/20/2017 - Chris@77 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had to try another bottle ... see my note of 12/21 ... not repeating. This vintage of Goldridge is incredibly appealing now, wonderful pinot aromas, richness of flavor with suitable acid balance, long finish. It is a soft, lush wine with soft tannins in the background. On the con side among burgundy aficionados, it is a little fruity sweet. You couldn't go wrong drinking this early. No clue on how it will be long term. I'm going to offer a 93-94 NOW and keep the 92-93 overall potential.
1/22/17 Drank this over 3 nights, excellent for all 3. Tonight the "fruity sweetness" seems gone with better balance. Dehlinger is hitting on all cylinders. I'm impressed. 93-94 potential, reason for 93 is absence of flavor signature.
3/19/17 This is my last bottle of many. I upped the score based on "now". Drinking the bottles since January was a hedonistic experience. I'm sorry I no longer have them; I loved drinking them and am pleased I took the opportunity while the wine was soooo good (but am embarrassed to admit it, not my usual practice).
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12/27/2016 - shaferguy91 wrote: 92 Points
No decant.
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12/21/2016 - Chris@77 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark, rich, lush, flavorful. After drinking a case of Equinox and enjoying it, the Goldridge was a surprise large step up in complexity and richness. The first half bottle was soft and very friendly, with typical Dehlinger flavors (others describe this better than I). The 2d half displays a more structured wine, with excellent acid tannin balance. I initially thought this less structured than the 2013, not sure now. I do like it better although can't award it an extra point. The trick will be keeping away from it for a while and can gain further in the bottle :-) Credit to the Dehlinger team. I think they are going from one high to the next.
Postscript: I think I was wrong about this wine. It has wonderful flavors but it now isn't obvious it will develop better than the 2013. I'll have reprise in 6 months. Both wines are at the top of the alcohol totem pole, 14.9% per bottle label. It is more apparent with the 2014.
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12/12/2016 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very similar to its 2013 Goldridge sibling, this medium-to-deep ruby Pinot combines richness with finesse. Aromas and flavors of dark cherries, cocoa, red licorice and black tea reside in a medium-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.9%) frame. The tannins are plentiful but silky-textured, and the wine is dense in the middle. Finishing long and smooth, this is another outstanding effort from the Dehlinger winemaking team. Already delicious, it has the structure to get even better with time in the cellar. Drink now-2026.
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10/26/2016 - taebaek83 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Young but already drinking nicely. Cranberries, cherry, herbs and black earth. Balanced and elegant with some swagger to boot.
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