SHOP / 2025 Chaleur Blanc White Blend
Varietal
63% Sauvignon Blanc
37% Sémillon
Appellation
Columbia Valley AVA
Aging
Drink now or age 15+ years
Vineyard
Sagemoor Bacchus
Boushey
Klipsun
Olsen
Conner Lee
2025 Chaleur Blanc White Blend
Columbia Valley AVA
The 2025 Chaleur Blanc leaps from the glass with notes of white peach, apricot, candied ginger and lemon thyme. The rich, honeyed palate is cradled by fresh acid and layers of toasty, crème brûlée oak flavors that sit nicely behind the medley of fruit. Touches of Golden Delicious, Honeydew Melon and elderflower are complemented by serious minerality and subtle spice, and the concentrated palate has great weight and poise. The finish is lengthy, driven by a fine structure and lively zip that will enable this wine to be cellared for 15+ years.
96 Points - Previous Vintage
— International Wine Report
96 Points - Previous Vintage
The 2024 Delille Cellars Chaleur Blanc from the Columbia Valley marks the 30th vintage of this iconic cuvée, crafted from 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. Its pale straw hue shimmers with hints of silver at the edge, inviting a closer look. Aromas of fresh lime leaf, elderflower, and white peach emerge first, followed by accents of roasted almond and honeycomb. On the palate, the wine strikes an impressive balance between vibrancy and weight, with the Sauvignon Blanc driving tension and energy while the Semillon layers in richness and a soft, nutty texture. Waves of citrus oil, green melon, and subtle spice flow across the mouth, finishing long and delicious. A brilliant food companion, it would shine alongside grilled halibut topped with a citrus beurre blanc or a saffron-infused seafood risotto. Highly recommended.
August 2025
Additional Scores:
94
Wine Enthusiast
previous vintage
93
Wine Spectator
previous vintage
93
Vinous
previous vintage
Behind the Wine
2025 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
90% barrel fermented (French Oak, 45% New, 31% 2nd fill, 14% Neutral, 10% SS) Weekly battonage for ~3 months, six months in barrel. Bottle aged 3+ months prior to release