I received the Dehlinger release email today, which included a mix of 2020 and 2021 wines on offer. I was surprised to see no mention of the fires (and smoke) in 2020. Rather, the release letter lumps the two years together as drought years that resulted in “lower yields and superior concentration.” The note for one wine refers to 2020 as “a superior vintage for Syrah.” In another, the description quotes Tom Dehlinger as saying, “2020 is probably the vintage of the decade for Cabernet Sauvignon.”
I’m scratching my head. Did the smoke not make it to their property? If so, that would be a good thing to state outright in the offer. Otherwise, it seems like they’re just hoping nobody knows or remembers what 2020 was actually like in Sonoma.
I have no idea how far down the smoke went or when it would have affected their vineyards, but Tom has been doing this too long to not note if there were any issues with his wines. All that’s how I see it - YMMV
Been a LONG time mailing list purchaser at Dehlinger, thanks for former Berserkers Phil Franks and Terence Livingston, but stopped a couple years back because the prices were so high, particularly since I add both shipping and tax (CA resident) and lately I’ve found a lot of inventory in auction that goes unloved. Since Dehlinger needs plenty of time to shine, the auction bottles often pan out well.
As for 2020, in general I’m staying away from it for US wines other than Santa Barbara area
Been on their list even longer, as I received the release yesterday as a thank you for being a loyal customer.
Did notice the price hike for Goldridge Pinot…. I didn’t buy any 2020 so don’t remember the price last year but went from $55 for the 2019 vintage to $65 this year for 2021.
They did receive high scores (for what they are worth) for the 2020 Pinots, but after I tasted the Rochioli 2020 estate Pinot at the winery, I decided to pass on 2020 reds.
I admit my taste for huge RRV pinot is waning (15.4%abv). Wish I could find good burgundies in a realistic price range. They’ve become investments instead of wines to drink, at least for me .
I tasted the 2020’s with Tom and Eva before they went to bottle. They were all gorgeous and expressive with a sublime silky texture I find in all Dehlinger wines.
I tasted thru them somewhat earlier in the cycle and was satisfied they are sound wines. In my own direct experience there are pockets here and there that were spared significant exposure.
Near Healdsburg was a very different situation than near Sebastopol in 2020. I drove from South of Sebastopol to Alexander Valley nearly daily checking out the ‘eye-burn’ or lack thereof. Judging Dehlinger’s situation by Rochioli’s in that year is not a fair extension of logic. Emeritus’ site is another that I think came out clean, being a bit further south and west and more protected from breezes from the North (where the fires were). Their 2020’s that I’ve tasted are wonderful.
FWIW, I just bottled the last of my own 2020 PN’s and I am delighted at the clarity of fruit and continuity they possess. I’m not the only one with that outcome.
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