Known as one of Washington’s vanguard wineries to raise the benchmark on Bordeaux and Rhone varietal blends in the state, this year marks DeLille Cellars’ 30th anniversary. Veteran director of winemaking and viticulture Jason Gorski, along with winemaker Nick Bernstein and together with their cellar team continue to impress with impeccably-balanced red blends that manage to tick off all the boxes. Each of these new releases are above par and deserving of serious exploration.
Below are four releases we recently reviewed:
DeLille Cellars 2019 Chaleur Estate Red Mountain AVA
96 pts.
This flagship Left-Bank Bordeaux varietal red wine was crafted with grapes from the esteemed Ciel du Cheval and Klipsun vineyards. All the fruit was handpicked and sorted by hand to select only the very best berry clusters; further elevage techniques include aging the finished blend in French oak for five months prior to bottling, then aging for at least nine months after the bottling process. The concentration is striking, with a tightly-coiled structure that unfurls as it weaves along the palate. Aromas of ripe blackberry, cassis and graphite deepen on the rich, vibrant mouthfeel accented by red fruit, graphite, cocoa and bay leaf. Ultra-fine tannins meld with a sprinkling of stony minerality, dusty loam and spice notes on the persistent finish. $90
Cabernet Sauvignon (64%), Merlot (24%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (2%)
DeLille Cellars Le Colosse Yakima Valley AVA
95 pts.
Grapes for this Merlot comes from a trifecta of established sites in the Yakima Valley—Boushey, DuBrul and Harrison Hill vineyards. There’s undeniable purity behind the core flavor of cherry paste, brilliantly flanked by intricate details of red currant, sage and mineral inflections that echo on the aftertaste. A sheen of fine tannins wrap around the finish, adding beautiful grip and defined structure. This is a show-stealer now that will only improve with cellar aging. $65
100% Merlot
DeLille Cellars 2019 Minuit
93 pts.
Vinifying Malbec as the primary grape is a first for DeLille Cellars, of which 70% went into this rich, juicy red wine that was blended with Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) for added body and structure. Plushly textured, there’s plenty of good tension riding along with mineral and savory spice details that swirl through densely packed blue fruit, violet and red plum flavors accented by wild raspberry notes. The finish doesn’t quit, revealing lingering nuances of crushed rock, graphite and dried thyme. $60
Malbec (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%)
DeLille Cellars 2019 D2
93 pts.
Named after the D2 highway that leads through France’s Bordeaux wine region, this signature red wine is an astute blend culled from 12 notable Columbia Valley AVA vineyards, including Red Willow, Harrison Hill, Ciel du Cheval, Boushey, Klipsun and others. Supple and lithe through and through, leading with a profile of dried cherry and black fruit that glide through an array of trim tannins and savory elements. Neat layers of French roast coffee beans, dark chocolate and subtle clove and barrel spice resonate on the lengthy, full-bodied finish. $50
Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Cabernet Franc (4%), Petit Verdot (2%)