The 2019 Altamont Pinot Noir from Dehlinger is a benchmark wine from the Russian River. From a family that is now in its second generation of farming and winemaking, their prized estate vineyard. Dehlinger has been synonymous with quality for decades. Mostly sold through their mailing list, we were lucky to snag a small allocation.
Just 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean and north of the town of Sebastopol. Where the rolling hills see fog almost daily, the Dehlinger estate’s history spans back to 1973—a time when farming and wine-making were rustic. What started as a 15-acre vineyard has now spanned more than 40 acres of vines. Tom Dehlinger’s two daughters Carmen and Eva, oversee day-to-day operations at the vineyard. The wines have always been focused and have showcased the region in all the best ways for decades. Selling most of the fruit they grow, the Dehlingers set aside their favorite parcels to make small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The 2019 vintage was blessed with a temperate growing season. The fruit was all harvested in September. The wine then spent 18 months aging in French oak, 50% of which was new. Coupled with farming practices that tend towards low yields, it is no surprise we like this wine so much. This is as good of a Pinot Noir as it gets coming out of the Russian River. We love the Altamont and what it's namesake sandy loam and clay soils produce. Coming from parcels high up on the hilltops of the property where the topsoil is barely twelve inches deep. These vines already see naturally low yields and produce more concentrated fruit than the lower elevation parcels. Expressive and vibrant Pinot Noir that shows excellent intensity, elegance, and balance both aromatically and on the palate. The most recent release is no different: Rose hips and bright red fruit spring out of the glass. Raspberries and baking spices are all framed in with luscious acidity that translates to a generous finish. The wine just kept getting better as it opened up and continued to hold its form over the course of a couple of days. Showing its ability to give immediate enjoyment and its cellaring potential. Open this now, or watch the mid-palate fill in more over the next 5-7 years. This is gorgeous juice that rivals the best. From the Russian River. Bravo!
Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 93 pts! The 2019 Pinot Noir Altamont is a gorgeous wine. At present, the Altamont is quite closed, as if all of its energy is focused inward. Wild red cherry, lavender, rose petal, kirsch, mint and blood orange all run through the 2019. There's lovely depth and density here. (Drink between 2024 - 2039)
2019 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Altamont
2019 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Altamont
The 2019 Altamont Pinot Noir from Dehlinger is a benchmark wine from the Russian River. From a family that is now in its second generation of farming and winemaking, their prized estate vineyard. Dehlinger has been synonymous with quality for decades. Mostly sold through their mailing list, we were lucky to snag a small allocation.
Just 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean and north of the town of Sebastopol. Where the rolling hills see fog almost daily, the Dehlinger estate’s history spans back to 1973—a time when farming and wine-making were rustic. What started as a 15-acre vineyard has now spanned more than 40 acres of vines. Tom Dehlinger’s two daughters Carmen and Eva, oversee day-to-day operations at the vineyard. The wines have always been focused and have showcased the region in all the best ways for decades. Selling most of the fruit they grow, the Dehlingers set aside their favorite parcels to make small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The 2019 vintage was blessed with a temperate growing season. The fruit was all harvested in September. The wine then spent 18 months aging in French oak, 50% of which was new. Coupled with farming practices that tend towards low yields, it is no surprise we like this wine so much. This is as good of a Pinot Noir as it gets coming out of the Russian River. We love the Altamont and what it's namesake sandy loam and clay soils produce. Coming from parcels high up on the hilltops of the property where the topsoil is barely twelve inches deep. These vines already see naturally low yields and produce more concentrated fruit than the lower elevation parcels. Expressive and vibrant Pinot Noir that shows excellent intensity, elegance, and balance both aromatically and on the palate. The most recent release is no different: Rose hips and bright red fruit spring out of the glass. Raspberries and baking spices are all framed in with luscious acidity that translates to a generous finish. The wine just kept getting better as it opened up and continued to hold its form over the course of a couple of days. Showing its ability to give immediate enjoyment and its cellaring potential. Open this now, or watch the mid-palate fill in more over the next 5-7 years. This is gorgeous juice that rivals the best. From the Russian River. Bravo!
Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 93 pts! The 2019 Pinot Noir Altamont is a gorgeous wine. At present, the Altamont is quite closed, as if all of its energy is focused inward. Wild red cherry, lavender, rose petal, kirsch, mint and blood orange all run through the 2019. There's lovely depth and density here. (Drink between 2024 - 2039)
