DEHLINGER CHARDONNAY
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."
STAR LANE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Star Lane is a beautiful property located in Happy Canyon on the eastern edge of Santa Ynez Valley. Officially recognized in 2009, Happy Canyon AVA is unique from other AVAs within Santa Barbara County in terms of soil compositions and microclimates. It was while searching for an ideal location to grow Bordeaux varietals that Jim and Mary Dierberg stumbled across Star Lane in 1996 and it was love at first sight.
For over 20 years prior, Jim and Mary had successfully operated Hermannhof Winery in Hermann, Missouri, which was one of the United States' most significant wine-growing regions prior to Prohibition. But it was their love for Bordelaise varieties that brought them to California in the 1990s. Happy Canyon's ability to sustain warmth and Star Lane's varied soil composition and elevation ranging from 750 feet to over 1500 feet proved to be just what they were looking for and the Vineyard was planted. Today, daily operations of Star Lane are a family affair with the entire family and spouses working hand in hand!
ANTONIO GALLONI 95 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard is fabulous. It benefits from the warmer growing season, which fills out the mid-palate and softens the edges just a touch. Dark red/purplish fruit, cedar, leather, tobacco and incense fill out the layers. This dense, explosive Cabernet is absolutely stunning. It is also an insane value in today's world."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard (78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 5% each Petit Verdot and Merlot) sports a vivid purple hue as well as utterly classic aromatics of ripe currants, black cherries, lead pencil, black olive, and sappy, herbal, floral nuances. With nicely integrated oak, medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish, this is another sensational Bordeaux blend from this estate that readers will love."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 22 months in 45% new oak, a bit higher than is typical in the modern era of Star Lane. Aromas of cigar smoke, dried herbs and black fruit compote are echoed on the gently rich, supple palate. In a similar manner to the 2020 Astral bottling, the finish is a bit short and hollowed out, framed with gritty, grainy tannins that need integration yet lack the fruit concentration to absorb them. It remains a lovely wine, albeit possibly more suited for near-term consumption, and I commend the stylistically traditional approach."
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."
STAR LANE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Star Lane is a beautiful property located in Happy Canyon on the eastern edge of Santa Ynez Valley. Officially recognized in 2009, Happy Canyon AVA is unique from other AVAs within Santa Barbara County in terms of soil compositions and microclimates. It was while searching for an ideal location to grow Bordeaux varietals that Jim and Mary Dierberg stumbled across Star Lane in 1996 and it was love at first sight.
For over 20 years prior, Jim and Mary had successfully operated Hermannhof Winery in Hermann, Missouri, which was one of the United States' most significant wine-growing regions prior to Prohibition. But it was their love for Bordelaise varieties that brought them to California in the 1990s. Happy Canyon's ability to sustain warmth and Star Lane's varied soil composition and elevation ranging from 750 feet to over 1500 feet proved to be just what they were looking for and the Vineyard was planted. Today, daily operations of Star Lane are a family affair with the entire family and spouses working hand in hand!
ANTONIO GALLONI 95 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard is fabulous. It benefits from the warmer growing season, which fills out the mid-palate and softens the edges just a touch. Dark red/purplish fruit, cedar, leather, tobacco and incense fill out the layers. This dense, explosive Cabernet is absolutely stunning. It is also an insane value in today's world."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard (78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 5% each Petit Verdot and Merlot) sports a vivid purple hue as well as utterly classic aromatics of ripe currants, black cherries, lead pencil, black olive, and sappy, herbal, floral nuances. With nicely integrated oak, medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish, this is another sensational Bordeaux blend from this estate that readers will love."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 22 months in 45% new oak, a bit higher than is typical in the modern era of Star Lane. Aromas of cigar smoke, dried herbs and black fruit compote are echoed on the gently rich, supple palate. In a similar manner to the 2020 Astral bottling, the finish is a bit short and hollowed out, framed with gritty, grainy tannins that need integration yet lack the fruit concentration to absorb them. It remains a lovely wine, albeit possibly more suited for near-term consumption, and I commend the stylistically traditional approach."
