2003 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Estate
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Tasting notes
Medium red. A bit blacker on the nose than the Goldridge sample, with a note of dark raspberry and good thrust. At once superripe and sappy, with generous dark raspberry and spice flavors. This conveys a small-berry feel and an impression of solid extract. Finishes concentrated and persistent. Dehlinger vinified this cuvee with a small percentage of whole berries.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2003 Pinot Noir Estate, from Dehlinger’s hilltop vineyards, is a lush, textured effort revealing sweet black cherry, raspberry, plum, and allspice notes, a lush, medium to full-bodied palate, sweet tannin, and a distinctive opulence as well as earthiness. It should drink well for 7-8 years, although this estate’s Pinots can last longer than one suspects. I had my last bottle of their 1994 just recently, and it was still drinking beautifully. Kudos to Tom Dehlinger, a guy who seems to be content to stay under the radar and simply make an assortment of very fine as well as realistically priced wines! Tel. (707) 823-2378; Fax (707) 823-0918