Decanted for 30 minutes.
Crimson in color. 14.9% ABV. Riveting nose of red fruits, cloves, sarsaparilla and damp forest floor. Medium body with perfect acidity. Tremendous purity of fruit. Concentration rarely found in an 11 year old Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Cherry, strawberry, baking spice and earth on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Expectations were high and this showed even better than I would have expected. Best over the next 3-5 years.
My rating: 95 points.
Full review on Zinfandel Chronicles - 2010 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Altamont - Bottle Notes | Zinfandel Chronicles
Cheers, Tom
I’m a relative latecomer to Dehlinger, but was blown away by a late 90s pinot (can’t recall the vineyard but they no longer make it) at a local restaurant a couple years back. All the oak had integrated (much like Dominique Laurent in Burgundy) and the result hooked me. My oldest Altamont is 2013, can’t wait to try it.
Of course the Zinfandel Chronicles guy likes 15% pinot.
Just kidding. I had this in the last year or so. It’s big and ripe, but very well made, balanced despite its ripeness, and Tom’s pinots have a good track record for aging.
2010 Goldridge is awesome.
Drinking 2007 Goldridge 33 Year Old Vines tonight. Needs air to fully blossom and then yields very nice tertiaries and spice.