Dehlinger Syrah

This is quite a bit better than a ‘00 Goldridge drank last week. This has a lot of Syrah character and has developed some lovely secondary characteristics. The nose shows garrigue, thyme, smoked meat and a bit of minerals and matchstick. Quite acidic, with boysenberry and sour cherry flavors, and a long finish with fully resolved tannins. Aging very well.

1998 vintage

Clear medium intensity ruby. Slow tears. Nose is clean medium intensity with aromas of dark fruit and dried flowers. Dry with medium+ acid, medium tannins, medium+ to high alcohol, medium+ body, medium+ intensity. Pronounced flavor of menthol, cooked strawberries, and almond skin. Medium+/long finish.

1998 vintage

still going strong.

1998 vintage

Amazingly youthful tasting at 16 years of age. It had bright cherry and a peppery, spicey flavor. This was a bit zin-like. It began to fade a touch after 2-3 hours of air. It was not real complex and, for me, is a better food wine. Not one of my favorites from Dehlinger (my favorite producer), but I'm not a big fan of Syrah, so consider the source.

1998 vintage

I agree with AC: "dark ruby in color. black pepper, raspberry, cocoa on the nose. pepper, olive, dark berry on the palate. finishes with hint of acid", but I liked this and rate it higher.

1998 vintage

CC at Della's, drinking very nicely, though the acid was sticking out a bit. The guys all seemed to enjoy it very much.

1998 vintage

dark ruby in color. black pepper, raspberry, cocoa on the nose. pepper, olive, dark berry on the palate. finishes with hint of acid.

1998 vintage

Slow-O 2 hours. Still a youthful ruby core, no real sign of age. The nose and palate both filled out with airtime, offering a bright, meaty character. Red fruits, subtle spice and just a touch of savory. In a very good place right now and not likely to get better. Went really well with the braised beef ribs. This exceeded expectations, the last glass showing the best. 14,3% abv

1998 vintage

Excellent syrah. Loads of black olives, herbs and deep fruit on the nose. Palate is supple, elegant, long, with terrific deep red/black fruit. First rate, and this seems like it will go another 10 years or more.

1998 vintage

Medium dark ruby, effusive nose of cherries,raspberries, and most interestingly and refreshingly a streak of fresh green grass. This wine screams freshness and vitality. Buoyed by the crisp acidity and pleasing tannins the aromas remain true on the palate. A winner!

1998 vintage

A stunningly good syrah. Loaded with bacon fat, spice, deep red fruit, and develops some incredible floral qualities. Balanced, fresh, long, elegant, complex. I've long been a big fan of Dehlinger wines, and this is a textbook example of the reason why.

1998 vintage

Popped and poured, consumed over 3 hours. My friend Dennis hits it right on the head. Mature CA syrah. Tasting blind one could be fooled into thinking it is Pinot Noir, with its intense cherry fruit, sage, dusty earthiness. Really enjoyable wine, shows that CA syrah can age well.

1998 vintage

The wine that won't quit giving. 11 years old and kicking. Dark, tarry, smoky nose. Palate features cherry, herbs, spice box. Finishes with a blast of tart cherry.Beautiful, restrained, mature CA syrah.

1998 vintage

Still kicking. Third nice bottle this year. Still deep, dark red in the glass. Nose of roasted meat, smoke, earth. Palate is lush, wave of dark fruit comes on, but finishes with a blast of fresh tart cherry notes. I like it.

1998 vintage

Deep red color. Earthy, smoky nose. Red fruit...tart cherry on the mid palate. Alive, but not a youngster. Nice mature groove. More earth and spice. Tasty.

1998 vintage

Popped my first Dehlinger tonight. Dark red and cloudy in the glass. Nose is earthy, with spice, herbs, some red fruit. Palate is full of red fruit, pepper, some cranberry and sour cherry. Nice acidity still present on the back side and a persistent finish. In a very tasty and mature groove right now. I'm digging it.

1998 vintage

Dehlinger Syrah Blindtasting (1993-2000) (Tom's House, Palo Alto, CA) : Group's #3 (my #1) – 35 pts; 2, 3, 0, 1 – beautiful black fruit, clove nose, with a vein of fresh cracked pepper; lovely, concentrated roasted fruit with tangy acidity, black fruit and pepper too; medium-plus pepper/beef jerky finish 93+ pts. (most reminiscent of a good Cote Rotie)

1998 vintage

Found another in my cellar! What a treat. Very earthy with dried cherry and spice. Tasted very old world at this stage.

1998 vintage

Good -- still a bit fruity, but probably a mere shadow of its former self. Unfortunately not enjoyed years ago.

1998 vintage

Opened a bottle for Kathy S's birthday. Decanted an hour prior to drinking. Wonderful syrah. Deep red in color. Dense. It had a very earthy bouquet. Cherry, dark fruit and pepper were prevalent with a long finish. It was hard to believe this was a California syrah. Beautifully balanced. Still had plenty of fruit. Weeping over the fact it was my last bottle.

1998 vintage

My last bottle....so sad

1998 vintage

Almost grapey koolaid nose, well balanced and drinking wonderfully. Another WS underating for Dehlinger. I think the spectator has a bias against Dehlinger, for god sake he doesn't even have a web site, let alone advertise in our magazine!

1998 vintage

Seattle Tasting Group does Syrah & Shiraz (Seattle, WA, USA) : This was the most surprising wine of the night for me. It oozed blackness, and I thought for sure it was an Aussie. The nose was blackberry jam with a spicy, meaty, vanilla background. On the palate there were massive gobs of fruit with plenty of tannin, alcohol, and toasty oak. The finish was sweet and pure, medium in length. Wine of the flight.

1998 vintage

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