2009 Dehlinger Syrah Altamont

The 2009 Syrah Altamont is another classy wine. It boasts tremendous depth and richness with a bit more structure than the Goldridge, although it is built along similar lines. Intense floral notes, licorice, new leather and black olives wrap around the fruit on the finish. This is another terrific showing. The 2009 is the first Syrah Estate to carry the Altamont vineyard designation, although previous years have also been made from this site.

The 2009 Syrah Altamont is another classy wine. It boasts tremendous depth and richness with a bit more structure than the Goldridge, although it is built along similar lines. Intense floral notes, licorice, new leather and black olives wrap around the fruit on the finish. This is another terrific showing. The 2009 is the first Syrah Estate to carry the Altamont vineyard designation, although previous years have also been made from this site. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. 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