SHOP / 2020 Chaleur Blanc White Blend
Varietal
72% Sauvignon Blanc
28% Sémillon
Appellation
Columbia Valley AVA
Aging
Drink now or age 3-10 years
Vineyard
Boushey
Sagemoor
Klipsun
2020 Chaleur Blanc White Blend
Columbia Valley AVA
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, the 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 the bottle will allow the fruit to come forward and showcase the balance of the vintage.
93 Points
— Decanter
93 Points
This white Bordeaux-style blend is a Washington state icon, consistently delivering perhaps the best white wine in the state year after year. Rich aromas of smoky grilled pineapple and lemon pith are accentuated by notes of petrichor. The palate offers notes of lemon curd, crushed riverstone, streaks of juicy tropical fruit, and soaringly beautiful acidity, which balances the depth and concentration of this wine.
August 2023
Additional Scores:
94
Owen Bargreen
94
Vinous
93
Robert Parker
Behind the Wine
2020 Chaleur Blanc White Blend
Crafting a white Bordeaux-style blend was unheard of in Washington when the winery first created Chaleur Blanc. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, this wine is fermented sur lie in French oak barrels, imparting a memorable “crème brulee” finish. Served at the White House over three administrations and rivaling its French counterparts in quality and exceptional value, Chaleur Blanc has become one of the winery’s most influential blends.
Vineyards
Sagemoor Vineyards is home to a 1982 planting of Sauvignon Blanc that is a mainstay of Chaleur Blanc.
Winemaking
Whole cluster pressed, fermented in 90% French oak (60% new) and 10% stainless steel with partial native yeast, and aged 7 months on lees.