I just finished my tasting at DeLille Cellars and had to write about these beautiful wines. It has now been well over ten years since I first tasted at this famed Woodinville outpost. Their director of winemaking Jason Gorski, has consistently crafted incredible wines regardless of vintage. DeLille Cellars was the first winery in Washington to focus on creating Bordeaux style wine blends and makes arguably the best Bordeaux style white wine in North America with its ‘Chaleur Blanc.’ There is little doubt that Chaleur Blanc will challenge some of the finest white wines you will find in Bordeaux.
DeLille sources from their estate, 20-acre vineyard in Red Mountain as well as premier vineyards in the Yakima Valley. Their new Woodinville winery is a must visit as it boasts modern decor with a fantastic rooftop that even boasts views of Mt. Ranier. It has an awesome restaurant that is adjacent their tasting room and they have a fancy new tasting room in Seattle near the University of Washington.
Talking about the upcoming 2026 vintage, Gorski explained “We are running into lower alcohols which is nice. We always have some blocks that will be picked around Halloween.” He stated “Vintage like this we have lower crop loads and we have great conditions and we are seeing a lot of 24 brick and 25 brick and the fruit looks great. Cabernet looks amazing for how early it is.”
Gorski and his team did an amazing job with the 2023 vintage. These are wines that have plenty of stuffing but also really good underlying finesse and nuance. I adored the 2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Four Flags’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which shows incredible balance and good richness from this vintage. They also make one of the best Rose wines in the state. Their 2023 DeLille Cellars Reserve Grenache (OB, 95) is powerful and perfumed with amazing texture. Learn more about this fantastic winery at www.delillecellars.com Here are the great new release wines from DeLille.
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Saffron Fields Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Coming from this location in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the 2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Saffron Fields Vineyard’ Pinot Noir saw some stem inclusion and was stored in roughly 20% new French oak before bottling. The nose is very perfumed, showing loads of rich red fruits alongside satsuma orange zest. The palate is push and refined with a terrific mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Reserve’ Grenache- The 2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Reserve’ Grenache is a new wine that comes primarily from the Upland Vineyard. Pretty guava and red cherry fruits combine with shades of salted blood orange and potpourri on the nose. The palate is seamless and dense with a silky texture and bright underlying acidity. Drink 2026-2038- 95
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2023 ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah comes from oldest vines of its kind in the state. It stands inky in the glass, offering creosote and brisket alongside milk chocolate and shades of black licorice. The palate is voluptuous, juicy and delicious with terrific volume and a glorious core of black fruits. Gorgeous now watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 95
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Grand Ciel’ Syrah- Jet black in the glass, the 2023 ‘Grand Ciel’ Syrah was sourced from this site on Red Mountain. Scorched earth, dried sage and shades of red licorice all combine with beautiful black rose petals on the nose. The palate is open and rich with terrific richness and great underlying freshness. Glorious now, savor this beauty over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 96
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Doyenne’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Doyenne’ is mainly Syrah (50%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (39%) with the remainder Mourvèdre. Red flowers and dark currants mark the nose alongside shades of dried herbs. The palate is velvety and rich with a refined texture and great sense of weight and acidity. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Malbec- The gorgeous 2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Malbec saw extended maceration for roughly `12 weeks. Violets, tar and creme de cassis aromatics all parade in the glass. The palate is powerful and rich with an amazing melange of blue and black fruits alongside bitter chocolate and graphite notes. Drink 2026-2039- 95
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Reserve’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Reserve’ Red Wine is primarily Cabernet Franc (79%) with the remainder Merlot coming from a range of top Columbia Valley Vineyards. This comes off silky and refined on the palate, with terrific freshness and an opulent texture. Garrigue, orange bell pepper and black pepper dusted boysenberry fruits combine with shades of Earl Grey tea on the palate. This is one of the great wines of its kind that I have tasted this year. Drink 2026-2042- 96
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Four Flags’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Four Flags’ comes from four different vineyards across Washington. Beautifully-textured, this offers molten chocolate, sweet pipe tobacco, leather and salty soils all combine on the palate, with a great herbal edge. Dense and delicious, with terrific freshness, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 95
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Shaw Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Perched on Red Mountain, the Shaw Vineyard is set on a western facing slope on sandy loam soils. It is heady and dense stuff that is marvelous to consume now. Black and blue fruits parade with dried herbs, crushed wet rock and anise notes on the palate. A generous, broad-shouldered bottling, offering refined tannins and excellent tension, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 97
2022 DeLille Cellars ‘Harrison Hill Vineyard’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Harrison Hill’ combines Cabernet Sauvignon (71%) with the remainder Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This is pillowy and soft on the mouth with a seamless mouthful. Sandalwood tones combine with black currants, black cherry compote, bay leaf and shades of black licorice in the palate, with Arabica bean notes. Complex and delicious, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 96
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Estate’ Red Wine- The 2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Estate’ is composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Franc. Fresh sage and thyme fill the nose alongside dark cherry compote, and blackberry pie. The palate is lush with terrific freshness and a smooth mouthfeel. Gorgeous black fruits parade with espresso grinds and rocky soils on the palate. Drink 2026-2041- 96
2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Grand Ciel’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Grand Ciel’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes off refined and soft on the mouth. Black tea and exotic spices mark the nose alongside heady dark fruits and black rose petals. The palate is plush with amazing texture and verve. This is displaying heady blackberry and dark currant flavors alongside coffee grounds and sagebrush notes with stony minerals on the palate. Drink 2026-2041- 96