SHOP / 2017 Chaleur Estate Red Blend
Varietal
65% Cabernet Sauvignon
25% Merlot
8% Cabernet Franc
2% Petit Verdot
Appellation
Red Mountain AVA
Aging
Age 5 to 20 Years
Vineyard
Ciel du Cheval
Klipsun
2017 Chaleur Estate Red Blend
Red Mountain AVA
The 2017 Chaleur Estate is another stunning vintage for this, Washington State’s original Bordeaux blend. Highly aromatic on the nose, with floral lavender, cassis, and cedar complemented by dark chocolate, spice and lead pencil. In contrast to such an elegant nose, the palate is extremely robust and concentrated, with great energy and an explosive entry filled with cherry and blackberry. An extended, persistent finish is driven by this cuvées traditionally fine-grained tannin.
92 Points
— Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points
The 2017 Chaleur Estate can be thought of as the flagship Bordeaux blend and comes from multiple sites throughout the Columbia Valley. Slightly closed and reticent, yet with outstanding purity in its black cherry and currant fruits, it has subtle chocolaty oak and lead pencil nuances, medium body, silky, ripe tannins, and beautiful balance on the palate. It’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise of 15 years in cold cellars.
April 2020
Additional Scores:
95
Owen Bargreen
94
Vinous
93
Wine Enthusiast
Behind the Wine
2017 Chaleur Estate Red Blend
DeLille Cellars’ inaugural wine, Chaleur Estate marks the foundation on which the winery has built its craft of blending Washington State fruit in the traditional style. This wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend of Bordeaux varietals, with a focus on Red Mountain vineyards. The result is a wine of depth, complexity, focus and elegance that personifies the French word for warmth, chaleur.
Vineyards
Ciel du Cheval is one of Washington’s most prestigious vineyards. The 1982 planting of Cabernet Sauvignon at this famed Red Mountain site is the backbone of Chaleur Estate.
Winemaking
Cold soaked 24-36 hours, fermented 14-16 days on skin, aged 20 months in 100% French oak (100% new) and aged in bottle 8 months prior to release.