DeLille Cellars

DeLille is a historic Washington winery that has achieved considerable praise worldwide. I don’t think there is a Washington white wine that impresses me more each year than their Chaleur Estate Blanc. DeLille crafts essentially the best Bordeaux Blanc in the state. This new, 2014, rendition is up there with the best Chaleur Estate Blancs that I’ve had, including the excellent 2008 vintage.
There are other bottlings that were particularly impressive on my last visit to DeLille. Their Doyenne Rose is one of the best Washington Roses that I’ve had this year. It brings wonderful watermelon and cran-cherry flavors that are perfect for a hot summer day. Their 2012 Bordeaux style reds also were hugely impressive. Both the Chaleur Estate Red and the Four Flags Cabernet weighed in at a whopping 95 and 94 points respectively, as they represent some of the highest rated Reds I’ve tried from Washington this year. They will both require at least two more years in the cellar to fully develop. Here are the fantastic new releases, as well as a couple of library wines that I have recently tried from DeLille Cellars. Check out their wines at great Northwest wine shops such as Esquin and Met Market, as well as online at delillecellars.com ‪#‎delillecellars‬

2014 DeLille Rousanne- 100% Rousanne wine that was aged in small percentage in neutral oak but is primarily a stainless wine. Rich perfumed nose with cantaloupe, cut grass and ripe pear. Rich almost oily mouthfeel yields Flavors of honeydew, hazelnuts, pear and green apple. Drinking nicely as of 2015 as this is every bit outstanding and the best Washington expression of the varietal that I’ve had. Drink 2015-2018. -93

2014 DeLille Chaleur Estate Blanc- Year after year this is one of the best, if not the best, Bordeaux style White out of Washingon state. Composed of 75% Sav Blanc and 25% Semillon. The wine was aged in oak, 70% new for 5-6 months. Beautiful nose of starfruit, lemon rind and baked apple. Rich mouthfeel with vanilla, pear, red delicious apple, starfruit and a 30 second long finish. This is very bit outstanding and up there with the 2008 Chaleur Estate Blanc as the best Chaleur Estate Blancs I’ve ever tried. Drink 2015-2022. -95

2014 Doyenne Rose-This is their Grenache dominant Rose and is a limited case production wine. Nose has watermelon, pear, and strawberry. Flavors of cran-cherry, watermelon and vanilla. Drink now, this wine is simply delicious. -92

2013 Doyenne Metier Rouge- This wine is a blend of Mouvedre, Grenache and Syrah. It is crack and pour wine that is just delicious and open out of the bottle. Perfumed nose of rose petals, red cherry and Christmas spice. Palate has red cherry, cran-raspberry, and is fruit driven. Nice mouthfeel with good density. Tasty now, as this doesn’t make sense to cellar this one. Drink 2015-2019. -90

2012 DeLille Chaleur Estate Rouge- This is made from roughly 75% Ciel du Cheval fruit and is a 67% Cabernet wine with the rest Merlot and Cab Franc. The wine has a ripe and open nose with red cherry and red currant with oak. Palate has ripe layers of red cherry, cherry tomato, blackberry and anise. This is incredible juice now but can benefit from 2-5 years of cellaring. This is the best Chaleur Estate Rouge I’ve had. Drink 2017-2030. -95

2012 DeLille Four Flags Cabernet- This follows up their impressive bottling from a colder vintage, 2011. The wine opens with aromas of anise and blackberry with oak on the nose. Rich layers of anise, blackberry and black cherry on the mid-palate. Dark and deep, this wine is compelling and delicious. There is a vibrant mouthfeel that tells me this will be a long-ager. The wine has moderate tannins that persist and will take time to dissipate. Drink 2017-2030- 94

2009 DeLille Doyenne Signature Syrah- This is made from 97.5% Syrah and 2.5% Viognier. With 66% of the Syrah from Grand Ciel, and 31.5% Syrah from Boushey Vineyard
and 2.5% of the wine from Ciel du Cheval Viognier. The nose has anise, smoked meats and black pepper aromas. This wine is richer and more viscous than its 2008 counterpart. The wine brings flavors of blackberry jam, black cherry and black olive with smoked meats. Complex and delicious, as this wine is drinking at its peak. Drink 2015-2017 -93

2008 DeLille Doyenne Signature Syrah- This Syrah contains 2% Viognier, with 30% of the fruit from the famed Boushey Vineyard in Yakima Valley. The wine opens with aromas of oak, cassis and smoked meats. Velvety mouthfeel with nice richness and viscosity. Currently this wine showing ever so slightly past its prime, as the acid structure is slowly dwindling, giving way to flavors of blackberry, black cherry and black olive. Drink 2015-2016. -92