DeLille Cellars
"Lafite Rothschild of Washington State." - Robert Parker
Robert Parker has called DeLille Cellars the “Lafite Rothschild of Washington State.” It is no coincidence that this boutique winery is often compared with First-Growth Bordeaux Chateaux. DeLille Cellars is dedicated to handcrafting elegant wines in the Bordeaux style, using only the very finest hand sorted grape clusters to make their wine. These sophisticated wines are made to uncompromising standards of quality. All of the wines are aged in new French oak and are bottled unfiltered. Winemaker Chris Upchurch talks in terms of ‘complete wine’, with qualities like opulence, mouthfeel, balance and elegance. Chris’ goal is simple: to blend the very best hand-crafted, Bordeaux style red and white wines made in the state of Washington. A satestament to his success, DeLille set the record for the highest price paid for a bottle of Washington State wine at auction ($16,000 in 1997).
| Website | www.delillecellars.com/ |
|---|---|
| Address | 14300 NE 145th St., Suite 101, Woodinville, WA 98072 |
| Wine Maker | Jason Gorski |
| Country | America |
| Region | Washington |
| Appellation | Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley, Rattlesnake Hills, Red Mountain, Walla Walla Valley |
From this Winery
Offering hints of tropical fruit, peaches and lemon zest, the nose of the 2020 Chaleur Blanc is bright and intriguing, with earthy barrel notes of light vanilla and chocolate mint. On the palate, characteristic grapefruit and honeysuckle flavors are carried by vibrant acidity, with barrel aging contributing crème brûlée and baking spices to the wine’s dry finish. Intensely powerful, with oak influence and notable minerality dominating on release, time in bottle will allow the fruit to come forward and showcase the balance of the vintage.
The 2019 D2 aromas dance effortlessly between savory and dried fruit characteristics. Cranberries, roasted coffee beans, cassis and burnt orange are highlighted by deep, rich barrel tones of nutmeg, vanilla bean, dark chocolate and clove. As the wine develops in the glass, the fruit profile shifts between red and dark fruits, a trademark of D2 that we love. An inviting freshness and pronounced herbal quality on the palate leads to a structure that is refined despite the wine's youth. Be confident that this blend of 13 iconic vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley will cellar for 15+ years.
2019 Four Flags is loaded with its hallmark red and dark fruit aromas. Along with vibrant fruit, this vintage offers a uniquely savory quality. Olive tapenade, star anise, and juniper play with aromas of wild huckleberry, red licorice and Bing cherry. The mouthfeel is delicately textured, with fine, dusty Red Mountain tannins. 80% new French oak gently supports the complex matrix of fruit, spice, herbs, and umami flavors. Drink confidently now or cellar as long as possible to experience the promising future this beauty possesses.
Our 2019 Chaleur Estate may be the most powerful and concentrated wine of the vintage for DeLille. The foundation of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon (64%) from Ciel du Cheval provides an intense, deep richness. Creme de cassis, marionberry, leather and clove meld to create the initial perfume. The Merlot (24%) from Klipsun Vineyard brings even more opulence and roundness to the blend, while adding notes of lingonberry, bay leaf and mocha. Cabernet Franc (10%) adds spice and freshness, while the Petit Verdot (2%) offers an ambrosial lift. Decant and enjoy over several hours. If cellaring, this gem has the bones to go the distance.
Leading with a lifted floral scent and a hint of spice, the palate follows with a surprisingly feminine texture showing traces of fresh cherry and wild brambleberry. Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) provides a unique black cherry color while Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (9%), and Petit Verdot (1%) bring subtle undertones lending an even richer voice to this wine.
Grand Ciel Cabernet is a single vineyard, single varietal & single clone Cabernet from our estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Every detail of our vineyard has been designed to produce the highest quality fruit from the unique climate & soil of this prestigious AVA known for ripe & structured Cabernet. Our rigorous selection process only permits a small portion of grapes to become part of Grand Ciel.
The 2018 Grand Ciel Cabernet is in a class of its own, with aromas of dark chocolate, Bing cherry, fresh ground coffee and black currants all exploding from the glass. Seductive and dense, this wine has seamless balance and polished tannins that allow it to be approachable in its youth. The background of toasty oak harmonizes beautifully with the rich dark fruits, leading to a finish that will only get better if you have the patience to cellar.