Doyenne Aix
Wine Enthusiast Magazine-July 2011
Doyenne 2008 Aix | 92 points
The blend is 61% Syrah, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Mourvèdre and 1% Cinsault. The stiffest, most tannic and compact of the Doyenne reds,the Aix hits a high point in 2008. The Syrah brings berry, citrus and a savory note; the Cabernet adds muscle and cassis. Tannins are hard, polished, almost shiny. There is a lot of depth and power here, and it needs decanting or additional cellaring to show all of its strengths. Cellar Selection. —Paul Gregutt
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Closing Date 8-31-10
2007 Doyenne Aix Red Mountain | 92 Points
The 2007 Aix is made up of 61% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Mourvèdre sourced entirely from the Red Mountain AVA. It gives up a splendid, slightly exotic nose of smoke, spice box, lavender, grilled meat, black currant, and plum. Forward, plush, and spicy, this full-flavored, pleasure-bent offering can be enjoyed now and over the next 6-8 years.
Rand Sealey Review of Washington Wines, January 2010
www.reviewofwashingtonwines.com
2007 Doyenne Aix | 18.5/20 Points
This blend of 61% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Mourvedre is like Provence meets Red Mountain. The aromas come on with enticing blackberry and blueberry fruits with scents of violets and lavender. The flavors are deep and beefy, with loads of ripe berry fruits, licorice and caramel with a squeeze of pomegranate juice. The finish is unctuous and lip smacking with dusty spices. 18.5/20 points.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar NOV/DEC 09
2006 Doyenne Aix | 91 Points
( approximately two-thirds syrah and one-third cabernet sauvignon) Deep red-ruby. Fresh raspberry and strawberry aromas are lifted by a floral topnote. Supple and creamy-sweet, with a concentration that suggests small berries. Finishes with sweet tannins and excellent length. I find this fruitier and more pliant than the 2005 release.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Closing Date: 10-31-09, Issue 185
2006 Doyenne Aix | 91 Points
The 2006 Aix is a blend of 64.5% Syrah and 35.5% Cabernet Sauvignon from several Red Mountain Vineyards. Purple-colored, the bouquet displays aromas of toast, underbrush, smoked meat, violets, blueberry, and black currant. Elegant and smooth-textured, it is nicely balanced with savory fruit, lively acidity, and enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years. This Bandol-like wine will deliver pleasurable drinking from 2001-2018.
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Outstanding - DeLille Doyenne Aix 2006 Red Mountain |
Second Annual Fine Wine Competition (AFWC) November 2008
2006 Doyenne Aix | Gold Medal
The judges are a mix of wine educators, wine buyers, chef's, a Master Sommelier, Sommeliers, and wine writers, and the judging is conducted blindly. To receive a medal from any one of the panels is a terrific achievement. The "Double Gold Medal” winners required a unanimous vote of the panel, while a "Gold Medal" required 75% of the panel’s approval.
Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2008
2005 Doyenne Aix | #48 of 100, 93 Points
Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines we've reviewed over the past 12 months and select the most exciting for our Top 100.
In 2008, we reviewed more than 19,500 wines from around the world in blind tastings. More than 5,300 of them earned outstanding ratings (90 points or higher on our 100-point scale). We then narrowed the list down based on four criteria: quality (represented by score); value (reflected by release price); availability (measured by case production or cases imported); and an X-factor we call excitement. But no equation determines the final selections: These choices reflect our editors' judgment and passion about the wines we tasted. Fourteen countries are represented, making the 2008 list the most diverse group in the history of the Top 100, which debuted in 1988.
Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, Top 100 Northwest Wines
2005 Doyenne Aix | #46 of 100
To create a list of the best Pacific Northwest wines currently in release, Seattle Metropolitan enlisted wine critic Condé Cox, a current candidate for the prestigious master of wine certification, who braved serious palate fatigue from tasting over 1,000 different bottles.
Harvey Steinman, Wine Spectator 2008
2005 Doyenne Aix | 93 Points, Highly Recommended
Ripe, focused and beguiling for the espresso and caramel notes that swirl through the dark plum and currant fruit, remaining focused and vibrant through the long finish. Time in the cellar should polish the tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2009 through 2015.– H.S May 2008
Jay Miller, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
2004 Doyenne Aix | 92 Points
...composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Syrah. Dark ruby-colored, it is intensely perfumed with aromas of pain grillé, blackberry, blueberry, meat and game making an appearance. Velvety-textured, it has excellent depth and concentration, spicy dark fruit flavors, and outstanding length. With enough structure to evolve for 3-4 years, this wine will provide pleasure through 2020.
Lisa Minucci’s Spring 2007 Vintrust SOMMselection
2004 Doyenne Aix | 94 Points
A Cabernet Sauvignon driven, red wine blend, from Ciel du Cheval and Sagemoor Bacchus vineyard sites. This wine has soft tannins with a solid flavor composition. Well-developed with ripe red fruits and a brown sugar, earthy composition.
Spring 2007-Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez, Grand del Mar Resort, San Diego, CA
