SHOP / 2023 Chaleur Blanc White Blend
Varietal
69% Sauvignon Blanc
31% Semillon
Appellation
Columbia Valley AVA
Aging
Drink Now or Age 3 to 10 Years
Vineyard
Boushey
Sagemoor
Klipsun
Phinny Hill
Conner Lee
2023 Chaleur Blanc White Blend
Columbia Valley AVA
The 2023 Chaleur Blanc wears the concentration of the vintage well, with prominent aromas of ripe apricot, honeydew melon, lemongrass, and green apple leaping from the glass. This compelling wine is layered with stone fruit flavors, delicate herbaceous notes, and rich oak spice, creating a complex and sensational effort that is remarkably approachable. The acid is firm and well-integrated with the rich, creamy flavors of lemon brioche, honeysuckle, and pie dough. The 2023 vintage demonstrates Chaleur Blanc at its best and will surely cellar beautifully for the next 15+ years.
95 Points
— International Wine Report
95 Points
The 2023 DeLille Chaleur Blanc from the Columbia Valley is a masterful blend of 69% Sauvignon Blanc and 31% Sémillon, aged in a mix of 42% new French oak and stainless steel. The nose is intricate and evolving, revealing layers of lemon zest, honeysuckle, and toasted almond, with hints of passionfruit and dried herbs adding depth. On the palate, the wine is expansive and deeply textured, brimming with ripe mango and guava, all wrapped in a silky yet structured frame. Bright acidity keeps the richness in check, while delicate notes of beeswax and crushed stone emerge as the wine glides toward its lengthy, polished finish. A strikingly complex and beautifully composed white Bordeaux-style blend that will only gain further nuance with time.
March 2025
Additional Scores:
94
Sean P. Sullivan
Cellar Stocker
94
Owen Bargreen
93
Decanter
Behind the Wine
2023 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.