Aging Chart
DRINK NOW OR DRINK LATER?
by Chris Upchurch, Executive Winemaker/Vineyard Manager, Owner/PartnerBy far, most questions asked of me always have something to do with the age ability of our wines. We offer the vintage chart below for this very reason, for all the red wines we have ever released. Please note that all of our wines are classically structured and designed to age well. I believe they will all see their tenth birthday and beyond in good health, and I include the white wines as well. Our white wines are not included in the chart because they are at "Drink" status at release. Aging does not make them more drinkable, yet there are interesting characteristics that can only develop in time, especially in the Chaleur Estate Blanc.
In addition, wine is often a matter of personal taste. Some like their wines young and vibrant while others like their wines silky and austere. Please use this vintage chart as a reference point, but as always use your own palate as your ultimate guide.
DeLILLE CELLARS |
92 |
93 |
94 |
95 |
96 |
97 |
98 |
99 |
00 |
01 |
02 |
03 |
04 |
05 |
06 |
07 |
08 |
09 |
| Chaleur Estate |
M |
M |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
| D2 |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
|
Harrison Hill |
D |
M |
M |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H | ||
| Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon |
D/H |
H |
H |
H |
H | |||||||||||||
Doyenne |
92 |
93 |
94 |
95 |
96 |
97 |
98 |
99 |
00 |
01 |
02 |
03 |
04 |
05 |
06 |
07 |
08 |
09 |
| Syrah |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
H | |||||
| Métier |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
H | |||||||||||||
| Aix |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
D/H |
H | ||||||||||||
| Syrah Grand Ciel Vineyard |
|
H |
H |
H |
H |
H |
D: DRINK |
D/H: DRINK/HOLD |
H: HOLD |
M: MATURE |
|
Classically structured wines as these can hold for some time. They have reached their silky, elegant peak and no further aging is necessary. |
These wines are starting to develop and are delicious. Further aging will continue the development process. |
All of our wines are bottle-aged and show well at release. These wines are at the beginning of their development and will reward with further aging. |
Though delicious, may start to show signs of age. Drink now. |
