Similar to note from one year ago. Amazingly young and fresh, with bright ruby color and a touch of purple still around the rim. Bursting with ripe cherries, after a one hour decant the meaty dark cherry and leather come out with nice smoky and earthy notes in the background. Light on its feet considering the 14.9% ABV, this is a terrific Dehlinger in a perfect place for drinking - yet seems to have much more life remaining. Sadly, last bottle :) 92-93
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Having had this wine 3 times between 2014-ish and 2020, I clearly enjoyed it most the first time I had it. It is still good now (and holds its 14.9% ABV well), but doesn't seem to have the magic and complexity I recall.
Maybe it's faulty and rosy memory on my part, or maybe it really was better in the past. 2014-ish = 94 2016 = 91 2020 = 90
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This has become almost an "everyman's cali syrah". Great purple rim around dark maroon with fragrant black fruit, light earth and roasted meat aromas. Super plush on the deep, sweet blackberry palate with an easy, long, mildly structured finish. In a perfect drinking window now! 91+
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PnP. Very dark red. Intense nose of ripe dark fruit - not much varietal character. On the palate this shows deep dark fruit and alcohol initially; with air, more complexity becomes apparent w sandalwood and olive notes on the finish especially. Rich deep wine showing little signs of age. Quite good.
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This is at its peak drinking window. Smooth with some fruit. Fantastic example of a RRV syrah with some bottle age on it. Good with some beef stir fry and also a not-spicy palak paneer.
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The first time I had this wine was 18-24 months ago - and it was one of the more memorable California Syrahs I've had. Probably would have scored it 94+, delicious for its savory complexity. Back then, it was definitely better on day 2.
Fast forward to May 2016 and it was, again, better on day 2... but just wasn't quite as deep and complex as I recall. Still quite tasty, though. Will probably wait 6-12 months to have my final bottle.
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Pop and pour. Purple in color. The nose is cooler climate Cal Syrah. Black raspberries, slight black olives, black pepper. Deep. On the palate, this took a couple of hours to open. Still on the younger side of peak. Nice texture. Black raspberries. Not over done or super ripe. Finished strong. Worked well with food.
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The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, black currant (cassis), forest floor and black pepper.
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Should have decanted this bottle. PNP. Definitely showed more signs of life one hour in. Very well balanced, black fruits evidenced on the nose and palate. Will try again later this year.
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This was an average syrah in my opinion. Took a long time (45 minutes) to start showing some personality and when it did the notes were slightly above average. mild aromas of cherry, tight finish.
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Good gracious, this wine is drinking well right now! Great color, medium bodied. Lush nose, impeccably balanced on the palate. Great interplay of perfect fruitiness and acidity. Not over the top at all, hitting everything in the right spot. Long lingering finish. Textbook Dehlinger syrah. No hurry on this. Wish I hadn't mysteriously consumed my other bottle previously!
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An odd bottle. I couldn't detect TCA, but a muted bottle. However, a strong, rich syrah, with lots going on. Maybe it needs a few years. Dark fruit, tannins and some spice.
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Deep lusty nose of black fruits and a touch of anise. The palate is closed, and a little primary but shows good concentration and spicy acidity in a well balanced package. The finish is medium in length and shows very smooth and refined silky tannins. Put away for 5 years, as this is still a babe.
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Deep and richly scented with earthy pine and spices. Blackberry, sour berry, soy and black pepper carry through a med-full body, finishing abruptly with firm, dry tannins. This should be excellent with some age. 92+. (Tasted at Dehlinger Open House).
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I got on their list just because of the syrah. i know they make old bones, but I wanted to try one young. I can't believe how smooth this wine is. It just glides down your throat. Great silkiness but that doesn't do it justice. There is nice ripe fruit there as well. Kind of boysenberry like. Primary at this stage, but based on other vintages, I am sure this will develop well. I guess next time I need to up my order quantity.
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3/23/2024 - dave kammerer wrote: 86 Points
Fruit has faded, should have drunk earlier.
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5/23/2020 - BHRH Likes this wine: 92 Points
Similar to note from one year ago. Amazingly young and fresh, with bright ruby color and a touch of purple still around the rim. Bursting with ripe cherries, after a one hour decant the meaty dark cherry and leather come out with nice smoky and earthy notes in the background. Light on its feet considering the 14.9% ABV, this is a terrific Dehlinger in a perfect place for drinking - yet seems to have much more life remaining. Sadly, last bottle :) 92-93
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5/9/2020 - SeaWine wrote: 90 Points
Having had this wine 3 times between 2014-ish and 2020, I clearly enjoyed it most the first time I had it. It is still good now (and holds its 14.9% ABV well), but doesn't seem to have the magic and complexity I recall.
Maybe it's faulty and rosy memory on my part, or maybe it really was better in the past.
2014-ish = 94
2016 = 91
2020 = 90
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5/11/2019 - BHRH Likes this wine: 91 Points
This has become almost an "everyman's cali syrah". Great purple rim around dark maroon with fragrant black fruit, light earth and roasted meat aromas. Super plush on the deep, sweet blackberry palate with an easy, long, mildly structured finish. In a perfect drinking window now! 91+
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3/12/2019 - rosenst1 wrote: 92 Points
PnP. Very dark red. Intense nose of ripe dark fruit - not much varietal character. On the palate this shows deep dark fruit and alcohol initially; with air, more complexity becomes apparent w sandalwood and olive notes on the finish especially. Rich deep wine showing little signs of age. Quite good.
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5/31/2018 - overthetop Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is at its peak drinking window. Smooth with some fruit. Fantastic example of a RRV syrah with some bottle age on it.
Good with some beef stir fry and also a not-spicy palak paneer.
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11/1/2017 - Arianne48 wrote:
$88 average
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5/22/2016 - SeaWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
The first time I had this wine was 18-24 months ago - and it was one of the more memorable California Syrahs I've had. Probably would have scored it 94+, delicious for its savory complexity. Back then, it was definitely better on day 2.
Fast forward to May 2016 and it was, again, better on day 2... but just wasn't quite as deep and complex as I recall. Still quite tasty, though. Will probably wait 6-12 months to have my final bottle.
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8/31/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour. Purple in color. The nose is cooler climate Cal Syrah. Black raspberries, slight black olives, black pepper. Deep. On the palate, this took a couple of hours to open. Still on the younger side of peak. Nice texture. Black raspberries. Not over done or super ripe. Finished strong. Worked well with food.
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8/29/2015 - DouglasTyler Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, black currant (cassis), forest floor and black pepper.
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3/21/2015 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Very well balanced, black fruits evidenced on the nose and palate. Drinking great!
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1/19/2015 - skp88 wrote: 93 Points
An excellent balance between the savory and the sweet and a polished balanced wine
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12/19/2014 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Similar comments to 10/28/14.
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10/28/2014 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Very well balanced, black fruits evidenced on the nose and palate. Drinking great!
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8/24/2014 - Sundesertcactus Likes this wine: 84 Points
Probably should have decanted , but popped and poured. Not a lot of complexity or secondary flavor, simple, a bit hot.
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8/18/2014 - dransford wrote: 92 Points
Really nice
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7/20/2014 - SeaSmoke wrote: 90 Points
Similar notes to January 2014. Decanted for approximately 1.5 hours. Very smooth. Dark purple in color.
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1/19/2014 - SeaSmoke wrote: 90 Points
Should have decanted this bottle. PNP. Definitely showed more signs of life one hour in. Very well balanced, black fruits evidenced on the nose and palate. Will try again later this year.
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1/10/2014 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was an average syrah in my opinion. Took a long time (45 minutes) to start showing some personality and when it did the notes were slightly above average. mild aromas of cherry, tight finish.
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1/2/2014 - blaine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Good gracious, this wine is drinking well right now! Great color, medium bodied. Lush nose, impeccably balanced on the palate. Great interplay of perfect fruitiness and acidity. Not over the top at all, hitting everything in the right spot. Long lingering finish. Textbook Dehlinger syrah. No hurry on this. Wish I hadn't mysteriously consumed my other bottle previously!
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3/1/2013 - slmral wrote: 89 Points
An odd bottle. I couldn't detect TCA, but a muted bottle. However, a strong, rich syrah, with lots going on. Maybe it needs a few years. Dark fruit, tannins and some spice.
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1/17/2013 - dtirsell Likes this wine: 92 Points
Star of the night! Decanted for 1 hour, licorice, smooth, heat has disappated making this a delicious Syrah.
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11/22/2012 - sampearl wrote:
Given to Janet Sollod for her 38th bday soiree - find out how it was!
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11/21/2012 - Jack wrote: 94 Points
Unlike the last one this was great from the get go. It improved a little with air but was beautiful from the beginning.
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7/28/2012 - Jack wrote: 92 Points
Very nice but pnpd and it needed more time than I had to open up. Better on the second day.
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6/17/2012 - Jmartin wrote:
Beautiful, as usual.
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1/10/2012 - Mike Dildine wrote: 93 Points
An absolutely delicious, superbly balanced Syrah. Should continue to evolve nicely for several more years.
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11/30/2011 - Jack wrote: 93 Points
Same as last note.
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9/5/2011 - Mike Dildine wrote: 93 Points
This is rich, lush, balanced and delicious. Just entering it's prime.
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5/31/2011 - llink wrote:
Deep lusty nose of black fruits and a touch of anise. The palate is closed, and a little primary but shows good concentration and spicy acidity in a well balanced package. The finish is medium in length and shows very smooth and refined silky tannins. Put away for 5 years, as this is still a babe.
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5/3/2011 - Jack wrote: 93 Points
Really nice. Rich, ripe blackberries. Very smooth. I'm a fan.
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3/28/2011 - xtrmjoe wrote: 89 Points
My system (nose mouth finish) /+/
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12/4/2010 - 6831 wrote: 92 Points
Deep and richly scented with earthy pine and spices.
Blackberry, sour berry, soy and black pepper carry through a med-full body,
finishing abruptly with firm, dry tannins. This should be excellent with some age.
92+. (Tasted at Dehlinger Open House).
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12/4/2010 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 93 Points
I got on their list just because of the syrah. i know they make old bones, but I wanted to try one young. I can't believe how smooth this wine is. It just glides down your throat. Great silkiness but that doesn't do it justice. There is nice ripe fruit there as well. Kind of boysenberry like. Primary at this stage, but based on other vintages, I am sure this will develop well. I guess next time I need to up my order quantity.
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