Community Tasting Notes 15

• ozziewine Likes this wine: 98 points

  January 1, 2024 - Had this in 2017 (92) and 2021 (93) and was hoping it would continue to improve as my general rule (maybe more of a suggestion as said Bill Murray in the original Ghostbusters) on Dehlinger Cabs is wait 10-12 years from the vintage date.
  On this day it was near perfect. Drank almost the entire bottle myself which never happens anymore. But this was so right in the moment it was easy to consume.
  It's mature, but not tired tasting, mellow with ultra plush viscosity that was enticing. Stunning depth of flavor. Also had the signature Dehlinger bright blue fruit essence. Intense and electric, but again, mellow at the same time. Wow, what a combination!
  Glad I bought four at release because the wait was worth it.
  Believe this is at peak. Have one remaining and suggest drinking this within the next year or two, especially if you like fruit. Otherwise, this will hold for many years but at the risk of fading fruit.
  Give it 1-2 hours of air along with a slight chill from cellar temp and enjoy!

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• Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

  December 12, 2022 - Very dark still, needs a couple of hours of air to start opening up, plenty of dark plum and berry fruit, tannins are less noticeable than previous bottle. Great balance with a long finish. We buy this wine every vintage when released by Dehlinger. All the Dehlinger wines are high quality long lived wines and represent good value.

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• ozziewine Likes this wine: 93 points

  August 10, 2021 - Had first bottle in October of '17 (a 92 then). This is evolving, albeit verrrrryyyy slooowwwllly! It was heavier and darker this time in every aspect. The nose was super aromatic with pungent dark fruit aromas. On the palate a much more substantial, almost thick, texture. The taste was on the dark side of fruit, not as bright as in '17.
  Started drinking after three hours of a full decant and it was still tight. But almost at the stroke of four hours, it seemed to open up beautifully and was smoother with more depth and complexity.
  My personal rule on Dehlinger Estate Cabs is open at 12 years of age. Bottle #2 of 4 so wanted to check on it and it proved the rule!
  If you have many and want to open one now, be sure to give it a minimum of 4 hours air and more will be better.
  If you have one, I implore you, wait until the Fall of 2024 to open it...and I'd bet it will last 5+ years beyond that.
  That famous Dehlinger QPR is on full display here!

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• Schwarzer Hund Likes this wine:

  March 26, 2021 - Inky black in color, dark berry nose, dense plum and blackberry fruit, slight tannin presence, long long finish. First bottle we have tried, impressive at this point. Looking forward to another bottle in a year or two.

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• SeaSmoke wrote: 90 points

  July 10, 2020 - Similar comments to Jan 20.

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2012
• Type Red
• Producer Dehlinger
• Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
• Designation Estate Bottled
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Sonoma County
• Appellation Russian River Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 233 (53%)
• Consumed 205 (47%)

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