Doyenne Métier Rouge
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 2011
2009 Doyenne Metier | 92 Points
Bright dark red. Spicy red berries, cherry and rose petal on the nose. Sweet, plush and pliant, with bright candied red berry and floral flavors complicated by spices and earth. This rich, highly aromatic wine finished very long, with tannins that are virtually invisible.
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, July 2011
2008 Doyenne Metier | 93 Points
A compelling blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah, this wine captures your attention from the first sniff. The aromas have a rare mix of fruit, soil, barrel and animal, the sort of complexity that eludes language. It fills the mouth with wild and arresting flavors, sweet cherry fruit, animal, loam, cut tobacco and coffee grounds, all folding into dense, dark tannins. —Paul Gregutt
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Closing Date 8.31.10
2007 Doyenne Metier | 92 Points
The 2007 Métier is a blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah produced from 80% Red Mountain fruit and aged in seasoned oak. Aromas of underbrush, damp earth, brier, cherry, plum, and blueberry lead to a savory, ripe, fruit-driven offering with plenty of grip and length. It can be enjoyed now and over the next 6-8 years.
Rand Sealey, Review of Washington Wines January 2010
www.reviewofwashingtonwines.com
2007 Doyenne Metier | 18.5/20
Composed of 50% Mourvedre, 33% Grenache and 17% Syrah, this red exhibits a rich, smoky nose of roasted raspberries and strawberries, with scents of brambles and lavender. On the palate, the flavors are intense and chewy, with a rich, earthy, chewy character that recalls the great Bandols of Provence. The finish is intermixed with spices, raspberry juices, and sweet-dry fruit confit notes.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, NOV/DEC 09
2007 Doyenne Metier | 92 Points
(50% mourvedre, 33% grenache and 17% syrah) Good deep red-ruby. Superripe plum and raspberry aromas complicated by a tarry nuance. Rich, ripe and pliant, with a slightly wild earth and rust character to the strawberry and spice flavors. This very full blend finishes with ripe tannins and excellent length. This wine contained only 25% mourvedre in 2006 and is now "more Southern Rhone in style," notes assistant winemaker Chris Peterson. This impression may have been accentuated in this 2007 by the fact that no new oak was used. 92 Pts.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2009
2006 Doyenne Metier | 92 Points
The red wines begin with the 2006 Métier, a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, and 20% Syrah sourced primarily from the Red Mountain AVA. Doyenne’s version of Châteauneuf du Pape is deep crimson-colored with a superb nose of cinnamon, sage, incense, strawberry, rhubarb and cherry. Smooth textured and layered on the palate, it has plenty of lively acidity, sweet fruit, and a plush, elegant personality. It is meant to be enjoyed over the next 8-10 years.
Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, March 2009
2006 Doyenne Metier | 90 Points
Doyenne’s Métier (40% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre), styled as a Châteauneuf-du-Pape style blend, shows the compatibility of its two main component-Grenache and Mourvèdre-to excellent effect. Fruit compote-plum and strawberry-is melded to light toast and coffee. The wine has juicy acids and a thickly satisfying midpalate whose fruit flavors linger on, adding a little peppery spice as the wine evolves the mouth. Just a whisp of chocolate leave you ready for the next sip. --- P.G.
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Silver - DeLille Doyenne Métier 2006 Red Mountain |
Stephen Tanser, International Wine Cellar, November/December 2008
2007 Doyenne Metier | 92 Points
Nose initially blocked by reduction, but cleared to reveal dusty lime zest, quinine, jasmine and guava. Distinctly dusty and tactile in the mouth, with excellent density and lift to the flavors of underripe pineapple, citrus fruits and powdered stone. This showed building definition with air, suggesting that it should be held for a year or so. The dusty finish offers lovely subtle flavor intensity without any heaviness. Very impressive.
Seattle Metropolitan, The Top 100 Northwest Wines
2005 Doyenne Metier | #56 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.
Jay Miller, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2005 Doyenne Metier | 91 Points
The 2005 Métier Red, a blend of 50% Grenache 25% Mourvèdre, and 25% Syrah, all from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. Dark ruby-colored, it has a lovely perfume of smoke, cherry, damp earth, garrigue, and blueberry. Sweet, supple, and ripe, the flavors have excellent depth, the wine is well balanced, and the finish pure and fruit-filled. Drink this approachable effort over the next 6-8 years.-J.M.
Robert Parker, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2005 Doyenne Metier | 91 Points
A delicious, sexy blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 25% Mourvèdre, the 2005 Métier Red Mountain boasts a deep ruby/purple hue along with notes of blueberries, black cherries, camphor, meat, roasted herbs, and a touch of anise. It is a sensual, medium to full-bodied red with a velvety texture, and a voluptuous finish. This stunning wine will be exceptionally food-friendly if consumed over the next 4-5 years. This is the Rhone portfolio of the well-known and highly respected Washington state producer, DeLille Cellars.-R.P.
Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast
2005 Doyenne Metier | 90 Points
A blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre, this offers strawberry/leaf flavors that glide softly into more concentrated, deep fruit flavors of cherry and plum. This is an elegant wine, graceful and fine, with intriguing length and a smooth finish. The tannins are a pleasing mix of light herb and moist earth, and there is a finishing kiss of chocolate wafer. May 2008
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar
2005 Doyenne Metier | 90 Points
Good medium red. Captivating aromas of red cherry, raspberry and spices, lifted by exotic suggestions of apricot and citrus zest. Generous, lush and pliant, with lovely sweetness to the fruit. Given verve and grip by notes of apricot and strawberry leaf. A very successful blend, and full of life.
www.wineaccess.com
Zino Society, Paul Gregutt's Wine Picks
2005 Doyenne Métier
Its companion wine is the 2005 Doyenne Métier Red Wine, also from Ciel du Cheval. This is a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre. Strawberry/leaf flavors combine right at the start, gliding softly into more concentrated, deep fruit flavors of cherry and plum. It is an elegant wine, graceful and fine, with intriguing length and a smooth finish. The tannins are a pleasing mix of light herb and moist earth, and there is a lovely kiss of chocolate wafer right at the end.
–Paul Gregutt
