The Dehlinger Winery, established in 1975 in the Russian River Valley, has long flown under the radar, historically selling most of its wine directly to consumers. With slightly expanded production, its wines are now available in retail, including the 2021 Chardonnay, which stands out as one of the finest California Chardonnays we have tasted this year. Sourced from the estate's 45-acre vineyard in St. Helena, the wine showcases a harmonious balance of vibrant fruit, a strong sense of place, well-integrated acidity, and impeccable structure. The 2021 vintage benefited from ideal growing conditions, with cool nights and warm days yielding exceptional ripeness and complexity. Dehlinger’s minimalist winemaking approach—fermenting in French oak (some new) and aging on lees—further enhances texture and depth, making this Chardonnay a benchmark example of California winemaking.
Jeb Dunnuck (Audrey Fick) 96 pts! "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 pts! "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. (Drink between 2024 - 2032)"
2021 Dehlinger Chardonnay
2021 Dehlinger Chardonnay
The Dehlinger Winery, established in 1975 in the Russian River Valley, has long flown under the radar, historically selling most of its wine directly to consumers. With slightly expanded production, its wines are now available in retail, including the 2021 Chardonnay, which stands out as one of the finest California Chardonnays we have tasted this year. Sourced from the estate's 45-acre vineyard in St. Helena, the wine showcases a harmonious balance of vibrant fruit, a strong sense of place, well-integrated acidity, and impeccable structure. The 2021 vintage benefited from ideal growing conditions, with cool nights and warm days yielding exceptional ripeness and complexity. Dehlinger’s minimalist winemaking approach—fermenting in French oak (some new) and aging on lees—further enhances texture and depth, making this Chardonnay a benchmark example of California winemaking.
Jeb Dunnuck (Audrey Fick) 96 pts! "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 pts! "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. (Drink between 2024 - 2032)"
