1998 Dehlinger Merlot

Dehlinger Winery is in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. It was founded in 1975 when Tom Dehlinger, a University of California at Davis educated enologist, planted 14 acres of vineyards. Today Dehlinger and his wife Carole still own and operate the estate, which has grown to 45 acres. Dehlinger specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and wine reviewers routinely praise the estate’s wines for their Burgundian qualities. Along with its flagship Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rose wines. California wine reviewer James Laube has written that as a winemaker, Tom Dehlinger has “shown a master’s hand in crafting intensely flavored, richly concentrated, succulent wines.”

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Merlot grape is such a deep blue that it is named for the blackbird. It’s an early ripening grape and one of the primary varietals used In Bordeaux. Merlot is also grown in the "International style," which is harvested later to bring out more tannins and body.