Chaleur Estate Blanc 2003
Tasting Notes:
For this vintage the Sauvignon Blanc seems to dominate with fresh cut hay, herb, melons and toast in the nose. Flavors are powerful and concentrated with plush sweet straw and earthy tones. Copious amounts of butter and cream notes. Good acidity yet open and delicious with a very long finish.
Varietal Blend:
58% Sauvignon Blanc | 42% Semillon
Vineyard Breakdown:
Klipsun Sauvignon Blanc 35%*
Klipsun Semillon Blanc 20%*
Sagemoor Sauvignon Blanc 23%
Yakima River Semillon Blanc 22%
*55% Red Mountain AVA
Awards & Acclaim:
91 pts. Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (2003 Vintage)
DeLILLE CELLARS' Bordeaux blended white wine is the best of its type in Washington, if not on the entire West Coast. Broadly fruity yet nuance with notes of tangerine, citrus and melon, it adds hints of sweet hay, herb and toast to the complex mix. Excellent focus and weave makes for an unusually expressive white wine, which continues to develop new flavors right through the finish.
90 pts. Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar (2003 Vintage)
Aromas of citrus skin and spicy, resiny, cherry oak, with a waxy lanolin quality from the semillon. Rich, broad and ripe, with unusual generosity of texture for this wine. Complex, fruit-driven flavors of lemon, orange, kiwi and spices. Very pliant and very long. Already attractive but capable of several years of development in bottle.
