DeLoach Vineyards Reviews

Exotic Asian spices and moody, brambly black fruit play at the center of this full-bodied vineyard-designate from a high-elevation site. Citrus, fresh-grated nutmeg and bright acidity make for a savory yet completely succulent experience that’ll remain memorable long after the bottle is gone. Editors’ Choice. —V.B.

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Brian Maloney drew on four vineyards to make this delicious zin, the oldest, Saitone, planted in the 1890s and the youngest, BCD, planted in the 1990s; he raised the wine almost exclusively in older barrels. It's cool and fragrant, firm yet silky, the flavors quiet but convincing, suggesting rose, dried strawberry and pink peppercorn. Its slow-building intensity calls for a plate of prosciutto.

OFS (“Our Finest Selection”) presents DeLoach’s best lots of the vintage. For the 2012 chardonnay winemaker Brian Maloney drew on nine vineyards throughout the Russian River Valley, from 40-year-old vines at Ritchie and Heintz to DeLoach’s own young, biodynamically farmed vineyard in front of their winery. Generous and powerful, this draws energy from a fresh, earthy current running underneath the fruit, layering the wine’s Rainier cherry and wildflower honey aromas with veins of firm, sandstone-like structure. It has the mineral, baroque, yellow-fruited clarity of classical Russian River chardonnay, bold at the outset, cool and complex in the finish.

SILVER

Lean and crisp, with notes of cherry and tart plum and accents of underbrush, pepper and anise. -TF

Pure and elegant, offering citrus-infused green apple, pear and honeydew flavors. Ends crisp and subtle, with a kiss of oak. -JL

Casts Chardonnay in a taut, flinty style, with lemon notes offset by green apple and honeydew accents. Ends clean and juicy. - JL

This presents a complex overlay of creamy, vanilla-accented oak, joining ripe pear and honeydew flavors and gaining nuance and subtle accents of fig and almond. 

Best of Class, Best of Marin County.
A Classy Pinot. A Stunner!

A relatively high-toned nose presents notes of red cherry, raspberry and a hint of cranberry. The medium-bodied flavors possess a seductive mouth feel that is lush and generously proportioned before terminating in a moderately long, dusty and warm finish. This is sufficiently forward that it could easily be enjoyed now though be sure to maintain a proper serving temperature as the warmth is otherwise quite noticeable.

The 2012 Zinfandel Nova Vineyard is more of a fruity Zinfandel with notes of raspberries and cherries, not a lot of depth, but it remains superficially delicious and seductive and can be drunk over the next 1-2 years.

Firm and rich on the palate, this red is lightly aromatic, offering notes of lavender, dark berry and crushed rock, with lively acidity and tannins.

Jammy and soft, with flavors of raspberry, apricot and spice.