`1994 Dehlinger Reserve and Octogon

[winoweenie]

Hate to make this post but these were such extroadinary wines I'm 'agonna. The Reserve was a brilliant ruby. An exotic nose of brite red fruit, a dose of ligonberry, nutmeg,white pepper, a strap of leather and a floral prescence that almost overwhelmed and may-be a hint of oak. This wine is 5 points better than the last bottle. Silky entry with a mouthfeel that can opnly be described as exotic. The center was solid and this beauty finished as a perfect 4-Lapper.94-95 WR ( WS and WA are used so why not "Weener-Rating?) I expected the Octogon to be more of the same...It was, only in spades... I've never experienced a more complete Pinot and that includes some of the few heavy-weight Burgandies I've had. The pure weight of fruit from this bottling is almost overwhelming. Every exotic spice I could dream up was there along with the most remarkable finish I've experienced from a Pinot.....A first-time 5_Lapper!!! It jes' don' git no bettern' this folk. WW

[Bucko]

The 94 Reserve is one of the best CA Pinots that I have ever tried. A great benchmark for other winemakers to strive for.

[cpurvis]

Bucko, hopefully they strive for the "benchmark" of taste/quality & NOT the price! cp

[winoweenie]

Bucko and CP, the Octogon is, IMHO, 5 points superior to the Superior Reserve. A perfectly seamless wine. As far as price CP, Tom has, again IMHO, always been extremely fair in his pricing policies compared to the generally outstanding quality of his juice. To illustrate, the 94 reserve was 20 bucks on futures, and the Octogon was 31. Bring on the 300 buck Romanee-Contis!. WW