2004 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Estate Reserve
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Tasting notes
Ruby-red. Distinctly ripe on the nose, with powerful cherry and blackberry preserve aromas and a pungent, concentrated suggestion of candied licorice. Very primary, with brooding dark berry and cherry pit flavors, youthful acidity and firm tannins. I'd give this a few years to unfold and would heed Dehlinger's advice that "this is made to hold onto, definitely not to be drunk young." I set my glass aside for an hour and it loosened up a bit, but this really needs to be stashed away.
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
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Dehlinger’s Pinot Noirs are so reasonably priced that consumers may overlook them. I just finished my last bottle of his 1994 Reserve, and it was still drinking beautifully. There are only 250 cases of the 2004 Pinot Noir Reserve, which is produced entirely from hillside sites. With a sweet mid-section, admirable ripeness, acidity, purity, texture, and elegance, a medium to full-bodied palate, and loads of black raspberry, plum, black cherries, and notions of forest floor as well as subtle oak, it should age nicely for a decade or more. Tel. (707) 823-2378; Fax (707) 823-0918