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SHOP / 1999 Chaleur Estate 1.5L

Varietal

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc

Appellation

Red Mountain AVA

Aging

Age 5-20 Years

Vineyard

Ciel du Cheval
Klipsun
Portteus
Boushey

1999 Chaleur Estate 1.5L

This is an outstanding vintage for Chaleur Estate.  The wine possesses an incredibly dense purple color. It has a powerhouse nose of deep black fruits, plums and cassis and is embraced with a floral, violet character. The fact that this wine has tons of everything in it brings balance.  Its structure is one of weight, concentration, grip and intensely ripe flavors. Moreover, this wine has style.  The oak integration has a sweet spicy, layering effect that seamlessly mingles gently with the fruit. Every angle this wine gives you seems to have a wonderful combination of power and delicacy. This vintage of Chaleur Estate is definitely a “keeper”.

$370

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95 Points

— Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

95 Points

The oldest wine in the retrospective was the 1999 Chaleur Estate, and this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc (aged in 100% new oak) is still vibrant and youthful, with terrific notes of black currants, smoked earth, Asian spice and cedar. Gorgeous on the palate as well, with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered mid-palate and a great finish, this killer Bordeaux blend is right in the middle of its drink window, but it will continue evolving nicely for another 15+ years.

— Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

September 2016

Additional Scores:

91

Wine Enthusiast

93

Wine Spectator

Pairing Suggestion

Seared Rack of Lamb with black garlic gastrique, herb gnocchi, beurre noisette and lamb jus — Other pairing recommendations include hearty mushroom-based dishes, earthy risottos and rich pastas.

Behind the Wine

1999 Chaleur Estate 1.5L

DeLille Cellars’ inaugural wine, Chaleur Estate marks the foundation on which the winery has built its craft of blending Washington State fruit in the traditional style. This wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend of Bordeaux varietals, with a focus on Red Mountain vineyards. The result is a wine of depth, complexity, focus and elegance that personifies the French word for warmth, chaleur.

Vineyards

Ciel du Cheval is one of Washington’s most prestigious vineyards. The 1982 planting of Cabernet Sauvignon at this famed Red Mountain site is the backbone of Chaleur Estate.

Vineyards

Winemaking

Cold soaked 24-36 hours, fermented 14-16 days on skin, aged 20 months in 100% French oak (100% new) and aged in bottle 8 months prior to release.