Alcohol in Dehlinger PN

WINE TALK
1

I saw the 04 Dehlinger Estate note and instead of posting there I decided to start a separate thread. We drank the 04 Goldridge with company over dinner Saturday night. No notes, but it was as usual, a very good CA PN. One nit to pick though; I’m noticing alcohol more often as the vintages pass. If I was near my locker I would check more labels for alcohol content to compare. All I have on hand are a 99 Estate at 14.8%, 2002 Estate at 14.7% and the 04 GR at 14.9%. Not a big difference on paper. The Reserves/OVs/Octagon were never big hits with me due to the elevated ripeness/alcohol. I’ve consumed a couple of 2002 GR and 2000 Estate lately and get no heat there. This tendency to taste/smell alcohol in newer Dehlinger Estate and GR PNs doesn’t please me. I own more Dehlinger than any other producer and love the Estate and GR PNs minus the noticeable alcohol. Anyone else experience this perceived increase in alcohol?

David [drinkers.gif]

2

I had the 05 goldridge on saturday and there was no noticeable alchohol

3

Alcohol percentage is just a number on the label and I never pay much attention to tech sheets. Dehlinger pinots have never felt hot and the weight of the wine has always been in or near balance. If anything, I felt they were a bit light on the mouthfeel. They are still some of the best and most consistent pinots in California…

4

David,

I don’t drink a lot of Dehlinger so I won’t comment on alcohol levels specifically in their Pinots- but would only say that you should be careful making judgements on future directions of wineries re: alcohol based on the 2004 vintage. 2004 and 2003 were vintages that led to higher alcohol levels naturally. – I think if folks had higer alcs in 2005 then you might be able to extrapolate a trend.

Adam Lee
Siduri Wines

5

Alcohol, schmalcohol… blahblah

If the wine is in balance, that’s all that matters.

There’s not a thing wrong with wines that have “high alcohol,” there is EVERYTHING wrong with wines that are out of balance.

6

Yes, thank goodness there is alcohol in Dehlinger PN! However, comparing to many other '04 Pinot’s from CA, I think they are right there with what the vintage brought.

So, I would agree with your thread title: Yes, there is Alcohol in Dehlinger PN.

However, I would disagree in that they are making a stylistic change. Been a fan since the 1980 vintage. Very balanced, structured, long lived wines IMO. (due to many years of experience of drinking them!)



Cheers.

7

Good point about vintages Adam, T-bone. I’ve bought Dehlinger every year since 98. Dehlinger PNs are very ageworthy. Just another reason I generally like them a lot. I’m drinking mostly 02-04 Dehlingers right now and the 03-04 may skew my impression.

Any non-fortified wine that smells and tastes of alcohol is not balanced.

I searched the Burghound data base yesterday for Dehlinger. He notes alcoholic “warmth” on many of the wines including the 2002 Goldridge which I thought was really good. The two 2002 Goldridges I drank in the last few months were great with out any alcoholic heat or aroma. It’s a personal taste thing. I just don’t like the smell and/or burn of vodka in my wine.

David [drinkers.gif]

8

David,

One other thing to keep in mind when it comes to alcohol. Even if the alcohol level hasn’t changed in a winery’s wines over the years…it is possible that something else has changed and that has accentuated your perception of alcohol. Younger vines may produce wines of less flavor concentration, a different oak regime, etc etc. may all change the perception of alcohol.

Adam Lee
Siduri Wines