For a wine that is supposedly 4 years beyond its drinking window this was absolutely delicious. Yes, the fruit is mature, but it there plenty of fruit there. Quite elegant. If properly cellared I would say fear not, this wine is in perfectly good shape.
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As always, another amazing wine from the Dehlinger Family....a CA Pinot at 12 yrs! You always worry about drinking a CA Pinot older than 8yrs but of the 4 'old' bottles of Dehlinger I have gulped over the past 3 months, only one was flat. This one is so well balanced nose/acidity/fruit/mouthfeel/alcohol/finish that there is not much to say. Always a fan. Glad I have another 12 Dehlingers coming next week! ��
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14.8% abv. Expressive aromatics, medium burgundy in color. On the palate, strawberry, Asian spice and a tart cranberry element. Medium depth, lingering aftertaste. Probably at its peak.
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I wasn't sure what to expect from a 2005 especially from auction but this was really good. Still holding up quite well with classic RRV characteristics. Fruit still pretty strong and well balanced with the acidity. Spice with a cranberry twang finish.
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Magenta at the core but starting to fade a little at the edge of the glass. 14.6% ABV. Black fruits, baking spice and forest floor on the nose. Strong acidity yet lacking the great mouthfeel I expect from Dehlinger. Black cherries, cranberries, cola and spice on the palate. Just a touch of heat on the long finish. Not the best showing of this bottling. I'll check in on another bottle in a year or so.
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My last bottle of 05. Gosh where was I nine years ago? I could have been with friends drinking a 96 or 97 dehlinger pinot discussing how well it had held up. Comparing it to the 92 or the 94 which lured me to toms wines in the first place. How it was the last bottle of a big fruit well balanced amazing pinot. A wine that was making a statement about the Russian river along with rochioli , William selyem, Martinelli and others. I have been a fan, am a fan and I believe will always be a fan of the Dehlinger family and their gift to the world. Drink this one now it's ready!!!
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Brought to JPH in Dayton. Popped and poured over two hours. Nose of cigar box spice, wet leaves, black cherry and cola. Excites mid-palate with nice lingering finish. Drink soon as fruit appears to be diminishing.
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Distinctly Pinot Noir on the nose with bright cherry and ashtray. On the palate, this took a few hours to open and show the fruit. Once it did, it was wonderfully balanced dark and sour cherry with earthy notes, a profile that started bright and ended dark and a muscular acidity to provide backbone and structure in tandem with the soft tannins. Excellent wine.
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Very nice place right now. Good dark red fruits with excellent acidity. Very bright and precise -- nothing flabby. CA all the way, but made with elegance.
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Not nearly as good as last bottle... this one in comparison showed alcohol to be out of balance and the oak aromas had a whiskey, sweet note... no detectable flaws and maybe just bottle variation but this wine was embarassed alongside an 07 Marlborough pinot from Pyramid Valley...
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This medium ruby/red-robed wine, purchased upon release, was serially tasted over three hours. The nose opens almost immediately to show intense aromas of Morello cherries, coriander and cardamom. Medium-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, light tannins and well-integrated alcohol. The flavors mirror the nose and the middle is solid. Long, smooth finish. Drink now-12/15.
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Low depth of color, low to moderate extraction at rim. Aromatically a bit muted in the fruit for a Dehlinger pinot, nice mix of red and dark fruits, some toast/baking spice from new barrique, minimal earth aromas. On the palate moderate to high acidity, nice flesh on the midpalate (though a bit lean for the producer and area), a moderate amount of at best moderately ripe tannins, moderate to high ETOH. Balanced wine could be a touch on the firm side, good length and intensity, average complexity. Wine has finesse, a firmish rather than fat texture, good expression of place. Excellent wine, great value, on the restrained and less fat end of the scale for this producer... drinking well now, doubt it will improve a ton over the next few years but has the structure to be fine for 2-4 more years I suppose.
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The 2005s have been my least favorite. This one had the elevated acid noticed in prior bottles but it was toned down a little. There was a little scorched oak on this one that took away from the fruit.
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Popped and poured, and consumed over two hours. Nose of cherries and dark berries, with the trademark Dehlinger baking spices. Red cherries on the palate, with pie crust, earth and a touch of creme brulee. Long finish. My glass seems to empty too quickly.
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Great pinot, worth the wait...these Dehlinger wines seems to imporve for a few years after release and I like them at 5-6 years. This one is a medium to medium light bodied, not dark and brooding nor is it garnet and light....somewhere in between. Very tasty.
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Great bottle of wine full of fruit, berry, cherry on nose very fine tannins on pallet, blueberries , new world style but not over the top with fruit or alcohol.
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Couldn't resist pulling another (the last?) bottle of this with grilled chicken breasts. Clear medium deep ruby; fragrant red-fruited nose. Intense on the palate but better balanced and less tannins apparent than the last bottle. No rush but drinking very nicely. Has a tangy acidity which nicely balances the RRV velvet.
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A really lively, youthful wine. Pretty black cherry and blackberry nose, supported by baking spice and earth. In the mouth, rich and quite ripe, with a forward and juicy fruit profile. Strong acidity and a solid finish. Very complete wine that has its best ahead of it. A-
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Dark red. Initially a bit closed on the nose. On the palate - lovely and intense, more red than black fruits, with a bit of a tannic kick, and a very long and superb finish. Clearly in its infancy, as the 2005 vintage in RRV, has yielded quite large scaled wines. Excellent, even at this early stage.
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This was in my cellar so i suppose I have more I forgot to inventory, I am dehlinger pimp so I have nothing but good to say again, purity without overextration, light tannins that were very well integrated and a richness that is Dehlinger
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Huge perfume precedes a rich, round mouthful of wild strawberry and moss. Silky smooth and long, yet tight and lively thanks to ever present, grapefruit like acidty. Citrus notes repeat on the finish. Larger scaled than most Dehlingers I've tried, but not unlike all the others, remarkably pure and clean.
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A little funky when opened but with just a little air smoothed out and was very nice. More acid than most Ds. I think these will continue to improve with a little more time.
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Beginning to show the secondary flavors and aromatics that I love in Dehlingher Pinot with a little age. Red fruits, bacon fat and forest floor with well integrated oak and lovely texture. Paired beautifully with pork tenderloin. My dinner companions and I kept swirling and sniffing throughout the meal. I think that this will continue to improve and will try another bottle in a few months (though it's going to be hard to wait).
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A very healthy dose of oak on the nose, overpowering most everything else, but a bit of red fruits and strawberry does does come through. Medium bodied, high does of acidity, but also a high dose of alcohol. Spicy red fruits coming through on the palate, but still overcome with oak (to me). I will wait at least a full year before the next bottle - it needs time to integrate. All the components are there, and you can taste the quality to come, but in due time.
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Always one of my favorites. Just great Pinot Noir from the RRV. Layers of cherry. Soft velvet in the mouth, very enjoyable bottle of wine. Paired nicely with pork tenderloin.
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Cherries, spices and deliciousness. Quite nice, but still a baby. I'd wait for some of the fat to resolve itself but it wouldn't be a crime to try now. 89pts.
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With dinner at Isabella's in Geneva, on the wine list for $88. Bright ruby to garnet in color with baked cherry and clove aromas. Bright red fruit, primarily cherry, along with spice and a subtle earthiness on the palate. All supported by a good level of acidity. Finishes well.
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Light and fragrant nose of dusty cherry, orange citrus, plum, oolong tea, cigar spice. Elegant well balanced palate extends from start to finish with elegant power, perfect structure. Best Dehlinger in recent years.
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8/6/2020 - dabovino wrote: 91 Points
For a wine that is supposedly 4 years beyond its drinking window this was absolutely delicious. Yes, the fruit is mature, but it there plenty of fruit there. Quite elegant. If properly cellared I would say fear not, this wine is in perfectly good shape.
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12/31/2017 - tbone wrote:
This pinot has held up very well, hasn't lost any of its fruit and still has adequate acidity. Fairly simple but delicious at the same time.
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9/16/2017 - King of all vines wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful wine
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9/3/2017 - yatchisin Likes this wine: 90 Points
Consumed at party. Still showing very well at 12 years--ah, Dehlinger. Ripe and rich with acid balance.
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3/23/2017 - billyfitnessop wrote: 91 Points
As always, another amazing wine from the Dehlinger Family....a CA Pinot at 12 yrs! You always worry about drinking a CA Pinot older than 8yrs but of the 4 'old' bottles of Dehlinger I have gulped over the past 3 months, only one was flat.
This one is so well balanced nose/acidity/fruit/mouthfeel/alcohol/finish that there is not much to say. Always a fan. Glad I have another 12 Dehlingers coming next week! ��
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1/29/2017 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 91 Points
14.8% abv. Expressive aromatics, medium burgundy in color. On the palate, strawberry, Asian spice and a tart cranberry element. Medium depth, lingering aftertaste. Probably at its peak.
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11/13/2016 - danstrings Likes this wine: 90 Points
No signs of age, youthful and bright. Lovely round, earthy pinot.
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1/10/2015 - yeti575rider wrote: 92 Points
I wasn't sure what to expect from a 2005 especially from auction but this was really good. Still holding up quite well with classic RRV characteristics. Fruit still pretty strong and well balanced with the acidity. Spice with a cranberry twang finish.
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12/19/2014 - tomlee wrote: 90 Points
Magenta at the core but starting to fade a little at the edge of the glass. 14.6% ABV. Black fruits, baking spice and forest floor on the nose. Strong acidity yet lacking the great mouthfeel I expect from Dehlinger. Black cherries, cranberries, cola and spice on the palate. Just a touch of heat on the long finish. Not the best showing of this bottling. I'll check in on another bottle in a year or so.
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12/10/2014 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
My last bottle of 05. Gosh where was I nine years ago? I could have been with friends drinking a 96 or 97 dehlinger pinot discussing how well it had held up. Comparing it to the 92 or the 94 which lured me to toms wines in the first place. How it was the last bottle of a big fruit well balanced amazing pinot. A wine that was making a statement about the Russian river along with rochioli , William selyem, Martinelli and others. I have been a fan, am a fan and I believe will always be a fan of the Dehlinger family and their gift to the world. Drink this one now it's ready!!!
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11/27/2014 - kanab ram Likes this wine:
Brought to JPH in Dayton. Popped and poured over two hours. Nose of cigar box spice, wet leaves, black cherry and cola. Excites mid-palate with nice lingering finish. Drink soon as fruit appears to be diminishing.
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9/17/2014 - Jack wrote: 92 Points
Thesehavesettled in and are drinking well.
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4/23/2014 - Jack wrote: 90 Points
Good. Seems to be in a good place.
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9/2/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is in a very good place right now - great aromatics, deep, rich, penetrating, yet somehow vibrant.
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2/5/2013 - Tudz Drkl wrote: 91 Points
Distinctly Pinot Noir on the nose with bright cherry and ashtray. On the palate, this took a few hours to open and show the fruit. Once it did, it was wonderfully balanced dark and sour cherry with earthy notes, a profile that started bright and ended dark and a muscular acidity to provide backbone and structure in tandem with the soft tannins. Excellent wine.
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12/22/2012 - Brsed Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice place right now. Good dark red fruits with excellent acidity. Very bright and precise -- nothing flabby. CA all the way, but made with elegance.
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10/14/2012 - SeaSmoke wrote: 92 Points
Impressions are the same as in 2011. Berries and cherries on the palate. Wonderful dark color with smooth tannins.
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7/1/2012 - EJS wrote: 93 Points
black cherry notes, good fruit smooth tannin balance with long luscious finish.
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6/5/2012 - pjhr wrote: 91 Points
Not as tasty as the last bottle with more jammy ripe fruit but held together my wonderful acidity and soft tannins.
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2/21/2012 - blaine wrote:
This was my 3rd of 4, not the best Dehlinger estate...
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2/12/2012 - markjanes wrote: 82 Points
Not nearly as good as last bottle... this one in comparison showed alcohol to be out of balance and the oak aromas had a whiskey, sweet note... no detectable flaws and maybe just bottle variation but this wine was embarassed alongside an 07 Marlborough pinot from Pyramid Valley...
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12/10/2011 - jimmythesaint wrote:
Loved this bottle and agree with La Cave. Bottle's been in my cellar upon release and the cork was barely stained by the wine.
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12/8/2011 - pjhr wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful aromatics with red cherry and earth aromas and flavors with rich a texture and finish.
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11/12/2011 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 92 Points
This medium ruby/red-robed wine, purchased upon release, was serially tasted over three hours. The nose opens almost immediately to show intense aromas of Morello cherries, coriander and cardamom. Medium-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, light tannins and well-integrated alcohol. The flavors mirror the nose and the middle is solid. Long, smooth finish. Drink now-12/15.
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11/7/2011 - markjanes wrote: 88 Points
Low depth of color, low to moderate extraction at rim. Aromatically a bit muted in the fruit for a Dehlinger pinot, nice mix of red and dark fruits, some toast/baking spice from new barrique, minimal earth aromas. On the palate moderate to high acidity, nice flesh on the midpalate (though a bit lean for the producer and area), a moderate amount of at best moderately ripe tannins, moderate to high ETOH. Balanced wine could be a touch on the firm side, good length and intensity, average complexity. Wine has finesse, a firmish rather than fat texture, good expression of place. Excellent wine, great value, on the restrained and less fat end of the scale for this producer... drinking well now, doubt it will improve a ton over the next few years but has the structure to be fine for 2-4 more years I suppose.
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8/14/2011 - Jack wrote: 89 Points
The 2005s have been my least favorite. This one had the elevated acid noticed in prior bottles but it was toned down a little. There was a little scorched oak on this one that took away from the fruit.
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5/19/2011 - Fielding wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured, and consumed over two hours. Nose of cherries and dark berries, with the trademark Dehlinger baking spices. Red cherries on the palate, with pie crust, earth and a touch of creme brulee. Long finish. My glass seems to empty too quickly.
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3/23/2011 - Fielding wrote: 92 Points
Lovely California pinot. Rich cherry berry, with earth and baking spices. Balanced and complex. Dehlinger pinots always always deliver.
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3/16/2011 - Double D wrote: 93 Points
Great pinot, worth the wait...these Dehlinger wines seems to imporve for a few years after release and I like them at 5-6 years. This one is a medium to medium light bodied, not dark and brooding nor is it garnet and light....somewhere in between. Very tasty.
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3/4/2011 - EJS wrote: 91 Points
Great bottle of wine full of fruit, berry, cherry on nose very fine tannins on pallet, blueberries , new world style but not over the top with fruit or alcohol.
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2/19/2011 - pinotwinelover wrote: 93 Points
Found another better than last. I love Dehlinger wines
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1/30/2011 - SeaSmoke wrote: 92 Points
Dark amber color, wonderful nose. Berries and cherries on the palate. Still early. Would wait at least one year before trying again.
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1/20/2011 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 1 hour.
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1/4/2011 - Jmartin wrote: 91 Points
Very nice Pinot. Soft and elegant with a great floral nose. Improved with time after opening. Let it breathe a bit.
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10/29/2010 - rosenst1 wrote: 92 Points
Couldn't resist pulling another (the last?) bottle of this with grilled chicken breasts. Clear medium deep ruby; fragrant red-fruited
nose. Intense on the palate but better balanced and less tannins apparent than the last bottle. No rush but drinking very nicely.
Has a tangy acidity which nicely balances the RRV velvet.
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10/27/2010 - shaneajohnson wrote:
Fantastic on the second night after having been left re-corked in the refrigerator, but it really needs more time to be its best. Try again in 2014+.
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9/10/2010 - shaferguy91 wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured.
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6/22/2010 - pismo45 wrote: 91 Points
Pretty dark berry nose. Beautiful dark color, medium body with tasty mix of black and red fruit flavors. Nice mouth feel. Nice long finish.
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4/16/2010 - gutt22 wrote:
A really lively, youthful wine. Pretty black cherry and blackberry nose, supported by baking spice and earth. In the mouth, rich and quite ripe, with a forward and juicy fruit profile. Strong acidity and a solid finish. Very complete wine that has its best ahead of it. A-
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4/13/2010 - darrel_f wrote: 91 Points
Aging gracefully. Cherries and nice spice. Structure smooth, finish long and lasting.
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4/5/2010 - dtirsell wrote: 90 Points
Not as complex as anticipated, blue-berry nose but bit closed but otherwise excellent Pinot.
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3/23/2010 - rosenst1 wrote: 93 Points
Dark red. Initially a bit closed on the nose. On the palate - lovely and intense,
more red than black fruits, with a bit of a tannic kick, and a very long and superb finish.
Clearly in its infancy, as the 2005 vintage in RRV, has yielded quite large scaled wines.
Excellent, even at this early stage.
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1/21/2010 - pinotwinelover wrote: 92 Points
This was in my cellar so i suppose I have more I forgot to inventory, I am dehlinger pimp so I have nothing but good to say again, purity without overextration, light tannins that were very well integrated and a richness that is Dehlinger
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10/27/2009 - Jody Smith wrote: 91 Points
Huge perfume precedes a rich, round mouthful of wild strawberry and moss. Silky smooth and
long, yet tight and lively thanks to ever present, grapefruit like acidty. Citrus notes repeat on the finish. Larger scaled than most Dehlingers I've tried, but not unlike all the others, remarkably pure and clean.
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10/13/2009 - D.Callahan wrote: 92 Points
Very nice pinot with a raspberry earthy nose, tart fruit and great structure and balance on the palate.
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10/13/2009 - Jack wrote: 91 Points
A little funky when opened but with just a little air smoothed out and was very nice. More acid than most Ds. I think these will continue to improve with a little more time.
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9/26/2009 - scotts2 wrote: 92 Points
Beginning to show the secondary flavors and aromatics that I love in Dehlingher Pinot with a little age. Red fruits, bacon fat and forest floor with well integrated oak and lovely texture. Paired beautifully with pork tenderloin. My dinner companions and I kept swirling and sniffing throughout the meal. I think that this will continue to improve and will try another bottle in a few months (though it's going to be hard to wait).
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6/26/2009 - Todd French wrote: 89 Points
A very healthy dose of oak on the nose, overpowering most everything else, but a bit of red fruits and strawberry does does come through. Medium bodied, high does of acidity, but also a high dose of alcohol. Spicy red fruits coming through on the palate, but still overcome with oak (to me). I will wait at least a full year before the next bottle - it needs time to integrate. All the components are there, and you can taste the quality to come, but in due time.
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5/2/2009 - darrel_f wrote:
Consistent with my previous notes at a 91 rating. Soft and lots of cherry. Great RRV Pinot. Paired well with grilled salmon.
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4/10/2009 - wdb001 wrote: 91 Points
Dinner with friends. No detailed notes, but very nice wine. Beautiful earthy finish and nice acidity.
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3/28/2009 - Pool Boy wrote: 90 Points
Sweat loaminess, orange zest, some espresso crema, and sweet pure luscious fruit. Delicious. 90 pts.
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3/8/2009 - darrel_f wrote: 91 Points
Always one of my favorites. Just great Pinot Noir from the RRV. Layers of cherry. Soft velvet in the mouth, very enjoyable bottle of wine. Paired nicely with pork tenderloin.
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12/18/2008 - Pool Boy wrote: 89 Points
Cherries, spices and deliciousness. Quite nice, but still a baby. I'd wait for some of the fat to resolve itself but it wouldn't be a crime to try now. 89pts.
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9/10/2008 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
With dinner at Isabella's in Geneva, on the wine list for $88. Bright ruby to garnet in color with baked cherry and clove aromas. Bright red fruit, primarily cherry, along with spice and a subtle earthiness on the palate. All supported by a good level of acidity. Finishes well.
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8/29/2008 - danstrings wrote: 89 Points
Silky, bright and juicy with ripe fruit and a smoky, spicy disposition
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8/15/2008 - Haltermr wrote: 91 Points
Light and fragrant nose of dusty cherry, orange citrus, plum, oolong tea, cigar spice. Elegant well balanced palate extends from start to finish with elegant power, perfect structure. Best Dehlinger in recent years.
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8/12/2008 - Jack wrote: 90 Points
Somewhat muted. Very good but these will improve with some age.
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