Day 2: Rich and vibrant with tart red berry, dried cranberry, menthol, cola, vanilla and earthy spice notes. Finishes long with complexity and grace. Last bottle. Drink or hold.
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Consumed on New Year's Day out of a magnum that was purchased directly from the winery. Decanted for 2 hours, poured back into the bottle then decanted a second time at the table for immediate consumption out of Sensory stems and paired with maple smoked pork roast.
This was my 4th bottle and the best one yet. Color was crimson (red/purple). The aromas were of red cherries, spice and minerality. The palate was of red and dark cherries, spice and white pepper, possibly due to the whole clusters. The wine is well balanced with the acidity and tannins integrated and in perfect harmony. It is a mature pinot noir in it's prime drinking window. However, there are several years left at its peak if you want to cellar for another half decade(+).
My score is a 94+
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Clear garnet. Red cherry & cedar aroma. Tastes of red cherries with good acidity macerated in light brown sugar. Light tannins, followed by a cedar spice finish with moderate length. Moderate body. This is showing beautifully right now.
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Day 1 … Bright Raspberry & red cherry with hints of carmel, cola & clove. Silky well balanced flavors reinforce the nose. Alcohol integrated & well behaved. Within a 1/2 hour, the fruit expands adding some vanillin notes. Day 2 … Similar enjoyment though a bit of alcohol wafted up after a while. Light on its feet despite the riper style. I remember more intensity. 3 of 3
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Part of pinot tasting I did for my wife's Birthday with her friends. In order: 2018 Borgougne Henri Boillot, 2017 A to Z pinot ( Oregon slot at last minute), 2013 Soliste Sonatera, 2016 Chasseur Umino, 2014 Lato Sierra Madre, 2013 Dehlinger Altamont. My impressions are rough since I was just taking sips while hosting and giving some background info. I was not a huge fan of this particular Dehlinger but it showed the best of the three bottle I've had over the years. Usually comes off hot to me and didn't this time. Fruit big as expected but more full and counterbalanced. This was probably still my 5th but 3-5 were all very close. Glad I enjoyed this final bottle.
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Coravin a week or so prior and then opened bottle. Raspberry and violets on the nose. Darker fruited palate with an orange rind / peel. Still seems to show a bit of heat to me especially with food with seems to accentuate it. A bit better showing than last time but I'm just out of sync with the higher ratings. Don't think the amount of alcohol will ever come into balance for me.
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Dark red cherry & moderate spice aromas. Concentrated red cherry and red berry flavors with a well-balanced acidity & sweetness. Dry spicy finish with length.
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Best wine I drank in 2016 has gotten better. This is as good as Russian River Pinot gets. Served chilled without decanting. Savory nose with great fruit and backbone
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Quarantine Wine Review #11: This bottle was enjoyed over Mother's Day Weekend, paired with Chicken Milanese and Chicken Scarpiello takeout dinner from our favorite and traditional Mother's Day restaurant, since their dining room was closed due to the Shelter in Place Order not scheduled to lift until 6/4/20 in my County.
The 2013 Altamont Pinot Noir first caught my eye through a Wine Spectator Pinot article/review and then later that year it was ranked 19 in the 2015 Wine Spectator Top 100. I signed up for the Dehlinger allocation list and received my first offer that included the 2014 Altamont. However, I was later offered the Library release for the 2013 and I found a couple of bottles during a Benchmark Bin Sale. I'm glad I was able to grab 3 of these bottles and have 1 left.
This Pinot showed beautifully.i decanted for 2 hours at 55 degrees. The color was ruby red with aromas of flowers/roses, cherries and spices. The floral aromas were slight but easier to detect since there were Mother's Day floral arrangements on our kitchen table. However, when burying my nose in a Riedel SOMM Burgundy glass, I could clearly pick up the subtle smell of flowers and it wasn't solely due to the outside influences.
The taste was of red and dark cherries and pomegranate. There were hints of spice. The mouthfeel, body and finish were medium. The tannins were minimal and the acid was pleasantly medium. This wine is well balanced and drinking in a good spot today but also has a decent amount of life left if you want to cellar longer.
If you have an opportunity to purchase this bottle and a price that fits for you, I highly recommend grabbing a few, you won't regret it if you like this style of Pinot Noir.
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Last tasted more than four years ago, this wine is still deep ruby in color and still offers smoky black cherry, orange zest, rose petal and pickling spice aromas. Medium-bodied, freshly acidic and with flavors mirroring the nose, it somehow hides its lofty 14.9% alcohol well. The oak and tannins are nicely integrated and the middle palate is plump. Closing long and smooth, this is a ripe New World Pinot with Old World structure. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. Drink now-2025.
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Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. The finish is long and smooth with the correct amount of spice.
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excellent wine that is maturing but not quite at its peak. smooth textured wine with ample fruit and mid range tannins-well balanced wine from a great producer
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Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. The finish is long and smooth with the correct amount of spice.
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Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. Finish is long and smooth, this is drinking well,
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Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. Finish is long and smooth, this is drinking well,
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Omigosh! I wish I hadn't given the last bottle as a gift. Without decanting the nose and flavors of this wine are incredibly delicious. This is obviously the wine I expected when I drank the 1st of 9. Alas, all gone. It's fully ready to go, will keep for a long time. Long finish. The only wine I've drunk from Dehlinger that in my view would have eclipsed it is the Octagon (not the old vines Goldridge, although close). I look forward to the High Plains in the cabinet. I'm not into high ratings. This is very high for me. In 1981 when Parker began the 100 point cult, I recall being willing drink any 84 point wine, seeking 86. As wine ratings are compressed to a few points, and some writers award 90 to anything in the bottle ... this is a real 94 point wine.
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Fourth of my five bottles and still great. Aerated for 3 hours. Drinking great now, but will be interesting to see what happens with my final bottle after a few more years of age. If you have many, drink now and save one for the future. If you have only one, follow your instincts on when to drink!
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Months passed, another bottle of many. First to explain. I have temp controlled storage for only 100 bottles. This means a continual value ordering with attention to vintages, bottles needing to leave to make way for others, several appelations of interest. The 2013 is still a bit backward, at least 2 years behind the 2012, with higher acidity, less overt fruit, but good balance. Tonight I was going to open a 2012 until I became curious. This is enjoyable but not what it will become. No rating. For those who own the wine and have cellared at 55, recommend not opening.
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OBX with pizza. Some good and some not so good. First, this thing is a beast - 14.9% alcohol and the heat definitely came though on the first few sips. Now the good news is this somehow manages to hide that amount of alcohol surprisingly well. If doesn't come across like a monolithic fruit bomb. It's really more mid-weight with some nice darker red fruit. Not totally sure what I think as I'm kind of split on this. I see now though why WS gave it such high reviews since it fits Laube's preferences for these pinot beasts (Donum, Bevan, etc). Let's call it a 90 for me (which is disappointing). Guess I have to drink sooner as not sure age is going to help hide the alcohol.
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Mea culpa - I did not leave this bottle alone for the year I said I would when I enjoyed the first bottle in January. I did not decant this bottle. I think that may have hurt the tasting experience as it was a little hot and not as well balanced as the bottle in January. Make no mistake, we enjoyed this wine - it s very good! It just was not outstanding as it was in January.
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OK, so I didn't wait until October. My 1st sip after the cork was highly positive. One hour later ... "this is a really good wine". My impressions of flavors haven't changed since Oct 2017. My new appreciation is around balance for aging. With no idea of whether any new interesting flavors will come of age, most CA PN not, I adjusted the point count +1. This vintage is not where it needs to be for maximum enjoyment. It is highly enjoyable now.
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Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. Finish is long and smooth, this is drinking well,
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Good, Good, Good!! This is one seriously excellent wine. I'm not usually a pinot drinker as I don't care for the abundance of forest floor that some present. But I'll drink this one any time! So well balanced! It definitely has the plums and the dark cherries suggested in the WS review. There is a definite aroma of forest floor, but it is enticing instead of being overbearing. Really nice wine! Going to try to leave my one remaining bottle alone for at least year.
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I wrote a tasting note on this 2 years ago, apparently failed to save it - not here, rated it 95, thought it was stunning (or maybe I was having a good night). At 2 more years I won't repeat what was in my mind, only what's different and new now.
Wine is more structured with better acidity than I remember, needs more time, at least 2 years, may try another in a year. If you drink soon, decant. It has a distinctive Dehlinger flavor profile, more to black side for Altamont. On the 2d day with some specific flavors melting into the berryish melange, it tastes fruity sweeter, not as interesting as last night. With a long background of drinking European Bordeaux/Burgundy/CNdP I don't prefer this. Time will tell if when the baby fruit subsides, the "sweetness" will recede. Nonetheless, it's a very enjoyable wine. Score is a little generous, leans more on last night which approached 93, experience as of "now", not future. "Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future."
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Consumed over 3 days. Med body, light red fruits, some scorched earth, cranberry, hard candy and black pepper. Peak on day 2, tired on day 3. Will sit on this longer.
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Opened for 2 hours prior to drinking. Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. Finish is long and smooth, this is drinking well,
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A real surprise in an fairly extracted medium body Cali Pinot Noir. Dark ruby in appearance, the nose screams well balanced cherry, cranberry and raspberry fruit with a strong note of vanilla. On the palate, it is structured even with the bit of cherry jam. It follows through on the back palate with stronger cranberry flavors and finishes with a complex array of red fruits. A well balanced finish and a long aftertaste leads to one conclusion; a well produced, satisfying wine that will mellow to a great one. Save as the jamminess of the fruit will dissipate over time and this one has the structure to age.
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Oh my. This lives up to the hype...from Wine Spectator, Cellar Tracker, Vinous. It's not as in-your-face as has been the case with some of the past Dehlinger Pinots (though I love those as well!). This one seems more refined and elegant. There is bright red cherry fruit (not as dark as in the past) with a purity of essence (not to be confused with POE from Dr. Strangelove!) about it that makes this an outstanding Altamont Pinot. Great to drink now (with 1-2 hours of air) and, I believe, up to 2020. If you like them more mature, go with Antonio Galloni's date of 2028.
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I'm usually drawn more to prettier, lighter styled Oregon Pinots rather than fatter, fruitier Cali-versions, but this wine won me over. It has it all - beauty, power, finesse, with earth and mushroom in the background. Much more balanced and layered than the 2012 Altamont, I look forward to enjoying this one for years to come. Can't imagine it getting much better, but who knows!
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A "big" wine, but not a heavy or syrupy one either. Excellent flavors of bright red and blue fruits with plenty of supporting structure and a long finish. This is great wine, and only likely to get better in the next year or two. Bravo Dehlinger!
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I'm always impressed when a Pinot can attain length and lasting complexity without being weighty or brooding. This isn't an inexpensive wine, but you certainly get what you pay for. Solid 95.
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2015 New York Wine Experience Trip; 10/19/2015-10/27/2015 (New York City, NY): Deep ruby in color, this is a bold and rich Pinot. Smoky black cherry, orange zest, rose petal and pickling spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors mirroring the nose. The alcohol and medium-weight tannins are nicely integrated and the wine has great mid-palate density. Closing long and smooth, this is already drinking well, but will likely get even better with a bit of cellaring. Drink 2018-2025.
12/4/2023 - 6831 wrote: 93 Points
Day 2: Rich and vibrant with tart red berry, dried cranberry, menthol, cola, vanilla and earthy spice notes. Finishes long with complexity and grace. Last bottle.
Drink or hold.
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2/24/2023 - Jerrywine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dehlinger is great and this is one of their best but a lot of great wines on the table and a lot going on. Happy I have more.
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1/1/2023 - JustBreathe680 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Consumed on New Year's Day out of a magnum that was purchased directly from the winery. Decanted for 2 hours, poured back into the bottle then decanted a second time at the table for immediate consumption out of Sensory stems and paired with maple smoked pork roast.
This was my 4th bottle and the best one yet. Color was crimson (red/purple). The aromas were of red cherries, spice and minerality. The palate was of red and dark cherries, spice and white pepper, possibly due to the whole clusters. The wine is well balanced with the acidity and tannins integrated and in perfect harmony. It is a mature pinot noir in it's prime drinking window. However, there are several years left at its peak if you want to cellar for another half decade(+).
My score is a 94+
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7/20/2022 - beerenauslese Likes this wine: 94 Points
Clear garnet. Red cherry & cedar aroma. Tastes of red cherries with good acidity macerated in light brown sugar. Light tannins, followed by a cedar spice finish with moderate length. Moderate body. This is showing beautifully right now.
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4/16/2022 - Sperls Likes this wine: 93 Points
In a great spot. Tom Dehlinger deserves a lot more attention that he gets.
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3/27/2022 - Dough Boy Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine still sings in the glass - my tasting notes are similar to my first entry with more voluptuousness and a touch of truffle.
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11/28/2021 - stokeme wrote: 92 Points
Day 1 … Bright Raspberry & red cherry with hints of carmel, cola & clove. Silky well balanced flavors reinforce the nose. Alcohol integrated & well behaved. Within a 1/2 hour, the fruit expands adding some vanillin notes.
Day 2 … Similar enjoyment though a bit of alcohol wafted up after a while. Light on its feet despite the riper style. I remember more intensity. 3 of 3
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10/9/2021 - dfcrutcher Likes this wine: 89 Points
Clear medium density color. Big time cherry and raspberry. Light leather notes. Glycerine. Medium to light weight all the way through the finish.
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7/27/2021 - rmarcos Likes this wine: 91 Points
Took awhile to come around. Drank brighter the next day with lots of cherry and berry notes
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6/18/2021 - yeti575rider wrote: 92 Points
Part of pinot tasting I did for my wife's Birthday with her friends. In order: 2018 Borgougne Henri Boillot, 2017 A to Z pinot ( Oregon slot at last minute), 2013 Soliste Sonatera, 2016 Chasseur Umino, 2014 Lato Sierra Madre, 2013 Dehlinger Altamont. My impressions are rough since I was just taking sips while hosting and giving some background info. I was not a huge fan of this particular Dehlinger but it showed the best of the three bottle I've had over the years. Usually comes off hot to me and didn't this time. Fruit big as expected but more full and counterbalanced. This was probably still my 5th but 3-5 were all very close. Glad I enjoyed this final bottle.
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3/9/2021 - Dough Boy Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine is fantastic and that’s all I have to say about that!
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12/24/2020 - jweedin Likes this wine: 95 Points
Best Cali Pinot I have had today. After third bottle, should count as a consensus
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9/7/2020 - yeti575rider wrote: 91 Points
Coravin a week or so prior and then opened bottle. Raspberry and violets on the nose. Darker fruited palate with an orange rind / peel. Still seems to show a bit of heat to me especially with food with seems to accentuate it. A bit better showing than last time but I'm just out of sync with the higher ratings. Don't think the amount of alcohol will ever come into balance for me.
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5/28/2020 - beerenauslese Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark red cherry & moderate spice aromas. Concentrated red cherry and red berry flavors with a well-balanced acidity & sweetness. Dry spicy finish with length.
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5/17/2020 - jweedin Likes this wine: 95 Points
Best wine I drank in 2016 has gotten better. This is as good as Russian River Pinot gets. Served chilled without decanting. Savory nose with great fruit and backbone
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5/9/2020 - JustBreathe680 wrote: 94 Points
Quarantine Wine Review #11: This bottle was enjoyed over Mother's Day Weekend, paired with Chicken Milanese and Chicken Scarpiello takeout dinner from our favorite and traditional Mother's Day restaurant, since their dining room was closed due to the Shelter in Place Order not scheduled to lift until 6/4/20 in my County.
The 2013 Altamont Pinot Noir first caught my eye through a Wine Spectator Pinot article/review and then later that year it was ranked 19 in the 2015 Wine Spectator Top 100. I signed up for the Dehlinger allocation list and received my first offer that included the 2014 Altamont. However, I was later offered the Library release for the 2013 and I found a couple of bottles during a Benchmark Bin Sale. I'm glad I was able to grab 3 of these bottles and have 1 left.
This Pinot showed beautifully.i decanted for 2 hours at 55 degrees. The color was ruby red with aromas of flowers/roses, cherries and spices. The floral aromas were slight but easier to detect since there were Mother's Day floral arrangements on our kitchen table. However, when burying my nose in a Riedel SOMM Burgundy glass, I could clearly pick up the subtle smell of flowers and it wasn't solely due to the outside influences.
The taste was of red and dark cherries and pomegranate. There were hints of spice. The mouthfeel, body and finish were medium. The tannins were minimal and the acid was pleasantly medium. This wine is well balanced and drinking in a good spot today but also has a decent amount of life left if you want to cellar longer.
If you have an opportunity to purchase this bottle and a price that fits for you, I highly recommend grabbing a few, you won't regret it if you like this style of Pinot Noir.
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12/16/2019 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 95 Points
Last tasted more than four years ago, this wine is still deep ruby in color and still offers smoky black cherry, orange zest, rose petal and pickling spice aromas. Medium-bodied, freshly acidic and with flavors mirroring the nose, it somehow hides its lofty 14.9% alcohol well. The oak and tannins are nicely integrated and the middle palate is plump. Closing long and smooth, this is a ripe New World Pinot with Old World structure. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. Drink now-2025.
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11/26/2019 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
No decant.
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8/25/2019 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. The finish is long and smooth with the correct amount of spice.
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8/15/2019 - ocwineo Likes this wine: 93 Points
excellent wine that is maturing but not quite at its peak. smooth textured wine with ample fruit and mid range tannins-well balanced wine from a great producer
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5/7/2019 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. The finish is long and smooth with the correct amount of spice.
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4/7/2019 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. Finish is long and smooth, this is drinking well,
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2/3/2019 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Similar comments to January 2019
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1/19/2019 - SeaSmoke wrote: 92 Points
Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. Finish is long and smooth, this is drinking well,
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12/28/2018 - Chris@77 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Omigosh! I wish I hadn't given the last bottle as a gift. Without decanting the nose and flavors of this wine are incredibly delicious. This is obviously the wine I expected when I drank the 1st of 9. Alas, all gone. It's fully ready to go, will keep for a long time. Long finish. The only wine I've drunk from Dehlinger that in my view would have eclipsed it is the Octagon (not the old vines Goldridge, although close). I look forward to the High Plains in the cabinet. I'm not into high ratings. This is very high for me. In 1981 when Parker began the 100 point cult, I recall being willing drink any 84 point wine, seeking 86. As wine ratings are compressed to a few points, and some writers award 90 to anything in the bottle ... this is a real 94 point wine.
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12/25/2018 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
No decant.
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11/11/2018 - ozziewine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fourth of my five bottles and still great. Aerated for 3 hours.
Drinking great now, but will be interesting to see what happens with my final bottle after a few more years of age.
If you have many, drink now and save one for the future. If you have only one, follow your instincts on when to drink!
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9/26/2018 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Similar notes to May 2018 review.
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9/26/2018 - Chris@77 Likes this wine:
Months passed, another bottle of many. First to explain. I have temp controlled storage for only 100 bottles. This means a continual value ordering with attention to vintages, bottles needing to leave to make way for others, several appelations of interest. The 2013 is still a bit backward, at least 2 years behind the 2012, with higher acidity, less overt fruit, but good balance. Tonight I was going to open a 2012 until I became curious. This is enjoyable but not what it will become. No rating. For those who own the wine and have cellared at 55, recommend not opening.
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8/15/2018 - yeti575rider wrote: 90 Points
OBX with pizza. Some good and some not so good. First, this thing is a beast - 14.9% alcohol and the heat definitely came though on the first few sips. Now the good news is this somehow manages to hide that amount of alcohol surprisingly well. If doesn't come across like a monolithic fruit bomb. It's really more mid-weight with some nice darker red fruit. Not totally sure what I think as I'm kind of split on this. I see now though why WS gave it such high reviews since it fits Laube's preferences for these pinot beasts (Donum, Bevan, etc). Let's call it a 90 for me (which is disappointing). Guess I have to drink sooner as not sure age is going to help hide the alcohol.
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8/10/2018 - JERB Likes this wine: 92 Points
Mea culpa - I did not leave this bottle alone for the year I
said I would when I enjoyed the first bottle in January. I did not decant this bottle. I think that may have hurt the tasting experience as it was a little hot and not as well balanced as the bottle in January. Make no mistake, we enjoyed this wine - it s very good! It just was not outstanding as it was in January.
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6/3/2018 - Chris@77 Likes this wine: 94 Points
OK, so I didn't wait until October. My 1st sip after the cork was highly positive. One hour later ... "this is a really good wine". My impressions of flavors haven't changed since Oct 2017. My new appreciation is around balance for aging. With no idea of whether any new interesting flavors will come of age, most CA PN not, I adjusted the point count +1. This vintage is not where it needs to be for maximum enjoyment. It is highly enjoyable now.
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5/19/2018 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. Finish is long and smooth, this is drinking well,
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2/27/2018 - SMZ wrote: 95 Points
Same as last time...perfectly balanced and flavorful....epic wine
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1/11/2018 - JERB Likes this wine: 93 Points
Good, Good, Good!! This is one seriously excellent wine. I'm not usually a pinot drinker as I don't care for the abundance of forest floor that some present. But I'll drink this one any time! So well balanced! It definitely has the plums and the dark cherries suggested in the WS review. There is a definite aroma of forest floor, but it is enticing instead of being overbearing. Really nice wine! Going to try to leave my one remaining bottle alone for at least year.
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11/20/2017 - SMZ wrote: 95 Points
One of the highest scores I’ve ever given to a Pinot....rich and succulent with enticing flavors....this is a winner.
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10/6/2017 - Chris@77 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drunk over 2 nights.
I wrote a tasting note on this 2 years ago, apparently failed to save it - not here, rated it 95, thought it was stunning (or maybe I was having a good night). At 2 more years I won't repeat what was in my mind, only what's different and new now.
Wine is more structured with better acidity than I remember, needs more time, at least 2 years, may try another in a year. If you drink soon, decant. It has a distinctive Dehlinger flavor profile, more to black side for Altamont. On the 2d day with some specific flavors melting into the berryish melange, it tastes fruity sweeter, not as interesting as last night. With a long background of drinking European Bordeaux/Burgundy/CNdP I don't prefer this. Time will tell if when the baby fruit subsides, the "sweetness" will recede. Nonetheless, it's a very enjoyable wine. Score is a little generous, leans more on last night which approached 93, experience as of "now", not future. "Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future."
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9/8/2017 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 1 hour. Very young but delicious even now.
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8/1/2017 - JKelly05 Likes this wine:
Consumed over 3 days.
Med body, light red fruits, some scorched earth, cranberry, hard candy and black pepper.
Peak on day 2, tired on day 3.
Will sit on this longer.
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8/1/2017 - SMZ wrote: 92 Points
Flavorful and full bodied...probably drank too soon, and because we were in a restaurant, we
didn't decant
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6/5/2017 - SeaSmoke wrote: 93 Points
Opened for 2 hours prior to drinking. Black cherry, dark fruit, rose petal and spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors on the nose and palate. Finish is long and smooth, this is drinking well,
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8/22/2016 - MarkWhite Likes this wine: 93 Points
A real surprise in an fairly extracted medium body Cali Pinot Noir. Dark ruby in appearance, the nose screams well balanced cherry, cranberry and raspberry fruit with a strong note of vanilla. On the palate, it is structured even with the bit of cherry jam. It follows through on the back palate with stronger cranberry flavors and finishes with a complex array of red fruits. A well balanced finish and a long aftertaste leads to one conclusion; a well produced, satisfying wine that will mellow to a great one. Save as the jamminess of the fruit will dissipate over time and this one has the structure to age.
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8/20/2016 - ozziewine Likes this wine: 96 Points
Oh my. This lives up to the hype...from Wine Spectator, Cellar Tracker, Vinous.
It's not as in-your-face as has been the case with some of the past Dehlinger Pinots (though I love those as well!). This one seems more refined and elegant.
There is bright red cherry fruit (not as dark as in the past) with a purity of essence (not to be confused with POE from Dr. Strangelove!) about it that makes this an outstanding Altamont Pinot.
Great to drink now (with 1-2 hours of air) and, I believe, up to 2020. If you like them more mature, go with Antonio Galloni's date of 2028.
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8/6/2016 - Dough Boy Likes this wine: 95 Points
I'm usually drawn more to prettier, lighter styled Oregon Pinots rather than fatter, fruitier Cali-versions, but this wine won me over. It has it all - beauty, power, finesse, with earth and mushroom in the background. Much more balanced and layered than the 2012 Altamont, I look forward to enjoying this one for years to come. Can't imagine it getting much better, but who knows!
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5/31/2016 - ewsds Likes this wine: 94 Points
A "big" wine, but not a heavy or syrupy one either. Excellent flavors of bright red and blue fruits with plenty of supporting structure and a long finish. This is great wine, and only likely to get better in the next year or two. Bravo Dehlinger!
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5/30/2016 - dkhale4 wrote: 95 Points
I'm always impressed when a Pinot can attain length and lasting complexity without being weighty or brooding. This isn't an inexpensive wine, but you certainly get what you pay for. Solid 95.
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4/24/2016 - Chrishavens Likes this wine: 97 Points
Best Dehlinger I've ever had. Young. Powerful , full bodied and has all the Sonomo PN Flavors. Wow
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10/26/2015 - Plasmatini Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great mouthfeel & texture, fruitful, nice balance & finish.
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10/24/2015 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 96 Points
2015 New York Wine Experience Trip; 10/19/2015-10/27/2015 (New York City, NY): Deep ruby in color, this is a bold and rich Pinot. Smoky black cherry, orange zest, rose petal and pickling spice aromas are followed by a medium-bodied, freshly acidic palate with flavors mirroring the nose. The alcohol and medium-weight tannins are nicely integrated and the wine has great mid-palate density. Closing long and smooth, this is already drinking well, but will likely get even better with a bit of cellaring. Drink 2018-2025.
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10/24/2015 - cos65 Likes this wine:
Medium ruby. Light cranberry aromas, fairly lush soft easy Pinot and very easy to like. But still a very serious wine. Nice
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