2008 Dehlinger Syrah Goldridge Vineyard

The 2008 Syrah Goldridge Vineyard is a big, explosive wine loaded with dark fruit, spices, mint, leather and licorice. It shows considerable depth and roundness all the way through to the powerful, insistent finish. Some very slight angular contours remain, yet the wine stands out for its energy and focus. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. I tasted a large number of wines with Tom and Eva Dehlinger, including several older wines, all of which have held up beautifully. These remain some of the most fairly priced wines in California. Tom Dehlinger describes 2009 as a very cool Pinot vintage. Dehlinger reports that yields in 2009 are down approximately 40% because of cold weather before and during bloom. The Pinot ripened evenly, and the harvest started on September 4 as opposed to late August, which is more typical in these sites, once known for their similarly early-maturing apples. In 2009 Dehlinger bottled his High Plains Pinot separately rather than blending it into the Altamont, which is frequently the case, as it is again in 2010. Rains during the harvest were trickier for the later-ripening Syrah, which wasn’t picked until October 20. Elegance and freshness are the hallmarks of the 2009 Syrahs, which stand in stark contrast to the riper, more concentrated 2008s. Vintage 2010 is another story completely. The Pinot harvest was even later than in 2009, and didn’t get started until September 22. In 2009 Dehlinger has several new wines, including a Zinfandel. Dehlinger made Zinfandel from 1975 to 1983. When the opportunity arose to purchase high-quality Zinfandel and Petit Sirah, Dehlinger decided it was time to take the plunge once again. Tel. (707) 823-2378

Bright purple. Highly expressive aromas of black raspberry, candied violet, incense and black pepper, with a hint of five-spice powder in the background. Deep, savory and precise, with spicy dark berry flavors that stain the palate and gain flesh with air. Quite Old World in style, finishing with intense spiciness and a late jolt of bitter chocolate. This is balanced to age.