93 2008 Dehlinger Estate Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) 10/29/17 ($50)
14.9% alc
Color: Deep black cherry showing just a hint of browning. (3.0) Bouquet: Black cherry cola fruit that is concentrated, yet elegant. Also lifted up by minerality and acidity. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with outstanding fruit and acidity. Rich, silky mouthfeel. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, delicious but not quite as distinctive. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with outstanding length. (3.5)
Overall: An outstanding Russian River Pinot Noir with concentrated, silky, mineral-driven black cherry cola fruit. Absolutely Delicious with no rough edges. Was a little sappy when younger, but this has integrated into the fruit and shows more elegance than when in its youth. The minerality and acidity also make the fruit very racy at this point. A little heavier and not quite as pretty as the Goldridge. I'd akso like to see a bit more complexity. Maybe I'm expecting too much, this is not Burgundy after all. But the charms it does have are comparable to those found in Burgundy. (16.5)
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