When Tom Dehlinger planted the property's initial 14 acres in 1975, he was one of the first winemakers to revive western Sonoma County as a winegrowing region after Prohibition. In these pioneering days of Russian River Valley winemaking, fewer people were involved in the industry, and knowledge, resources, facilities and equipment were primitive or hard to find. But over time, with trial and error, and some blind luck, the Dehlingers and others came to realize the promise of the Russian River Valley climate and the potential of some of its better hillside soils and locations.
Dehlinger has long been recognized for its Russian River Valley Chardonnays, which are known for their balance, fresh acidity and unctuous flavor. Today, Dehlinger produces a single Estate Chardonnay bottling each vintage, originating from their eight acres of Chardonnay vines planted between 1975 and 1988. These old vines, grown in the region's classic goldridge series soils, are grafted to the California heritage Wente clone, which produces small clusters and berries and has a notable minerality and almost oily viscosity. Dehlinger is one of the blue-chip labels in the Russian River Valley and they are not easily found. In fact, it has taken us years to be able to secure enough wine to feature them on our list, and this beauty has earned a noteworthy 96-point score from Jeb Dunnuck!
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "Aged in barrel on the lees for one year, the bright yellow/green 2021 Chardonnay Estate offers a mineral slanting style. In the glass, it has a fantastic nose, with pristine notes of lime, green pear, delicate oak spice, and wet stones. Medium to full -bodied, it takes on notes of lime candies and white flowers, and it has a fantastic texture and a great, long finish. Drink 2025-2037."
ANTONIO GALLONI 95 POINTS - "The 2021 Chardonnay Estate is fabulous. Rich and explosive, with notable textural intensity, the 2021 is super-expressive. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers and white pepper lend notable complexity. The 2021 spent 12 months in barrel (33% new), followed by three months in tank."
Dehlinger has long been recognized for its Russian River Valley Chardonnays, which are known for their balance, fresh acidity and unctuous flavor. Today, Dehlinger produces a single Estate Chardonnay bottling each vintage, originating from their eight acres of Chardonnay vines planted between 1975 and 1988. These old vines, grown in the region's classic goldridge series soils, are grafted to the California heritage Wente clone, which produces small clusters and berries and has a notable minerality and almost oily viscosity. Dehlinger is one of the blue-chip labels in the Russian River Valley and they are not easily found. In fact, it has taken us years to be able to secure enough wine to feature them on our list, and this beauty has earned a noteworthy 96-point score from Jeb Dunnuck!
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "Aged in barrel on the lees for one year, the bright yellow/green 2021 Chardonnay Estate offers a mineral slanting style. In the glass, it has a fantastic nose, with pristine notes of lime, green pear, delicate oak spice, and wet stones. Medium to full -bodied, it takes on notes of lime candies and white flowers, and it has a fantastic texture and a great, long finish. Drink 2025-2037."
ANTONIO GALLONI 95 POINTS - "The 2021 Chardonnay Estate is fabulous. Rich and explosive, with notable textural intensity, the 2021 is super-expressive. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers and white pepper lend notable complexity. The 2021 spent 12 months in barrel (33% new), followed by three months in tank."
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