SHOP / 2023 Chaleur Estate Red Blend
Varietal
66% Cabernet Sauvignon
25% Merlot
9% Cabernet Franc
Appellation
Yakima Valley AVA
Aging
Drink Now or Age 20+ Years
Vineyard
Ciel du Cheval
Boushey
Champoux
2023 Chaleur Estate Red Blend
Yakima Valley AVA
The 2023 Chaleur Estate is a classic rendition of our founding wine, with a first impression of dark, rich and intense concentration. Observe notes of blackberry compote, charred meat, blueberry black tea leaves and cocoa nibs before the introduction of air brings a second wave of flavors. Orange pith, red currant, and graphite are complemented by the blend’s more nuanced, savory elements. The mouthfeel is dense, with chewy, tightly woven tannins that melt into the fruit-driven finish that seems endless. Enjoy now with a thorough decant or cellar for 20+ years.
96 Points
— Decanter
96 Points
In the new label, the 2023 Chaleur Estate is a blend of two older vine sites. shows oomph from Red Mountain with the 1982 planting of Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon, and an older block of Dick Boushey's Merlot. Aged two years in almost 100% new French oak. With alluring notes of smoky spice, roast cinnamon stick and star anise. On the palate it's silken and smooth. Mouthfuls of sweet blueberries, meet taut and spiced red berries, elegant spices, and savoury herbals.
December 2025
Additional Scores:
98
International Wine Report
Previous Vintage
97
Decanter
Previous Vintage
95
Jeb Dunnuck
Previous Vintage
Behind the Wine
2023 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 has been divided into thirty-six separate blocks, and each block is custom farmed to achieve the best results possible. Ciel has a reputation for growing red wine grapes that have intense character and dense but supple tannins.
Winemaking
Stainless steel fermented, 14-16 days on skins. Barrel aged 20 months in French oak (93% new). Bottle aged 10 months prior to release.