TN: 1997 Delille Chaleur

WINE TALK
1

From a .375 ml…pop and pour.

I totally forgot I had this wine, it was given to me when I was at the winery in 1999(?).

Anyway, it’s past prime, tannins are resolved, nose takes a lot of swirling to come out and the palate is quite lean and tart. Should have looked for this a few years ago. Drinkable but not good enough to score.

2

Is this Delille from the Loire?

3

If Loire is in Washington State.

4

Steve,
I’m surprised. I would say it was because it was a 375 and they generally don’t age as well as a 750 or larger. It’s hard to imagine the structure of this wine that it wouldn’t hold up. I enjoy most of what they produce.

5

I completely agree with you, I’ve had other wines from Delille that were a lot older than this one and they were quite good (from a 750). The 94 Delille Harrison Hill is a wonderful wine.

6

I totally agree about the Harrison. I also like their Blanc. There are so many great wine from
WA and they don’t have to be from the Loire region of WA [wink.gif] nor the big names .

7

[rofl.gif] [welldone.gif]

8

Sure, have a good laugh. I am sure there is a Delille in the Loire somewhere! Maybe Cheverny?

9

When you find it I would be willing to try it & I bet Steve would too! grouphug

10

Sign me up Carrie, I’m there!

11

a tn from this past June on the 1994…

figured this was a good way to end the exploration into WA St wine undertaken last week. 1700+ M on my Harley and i still find WA wines intriguing. this mix of the big 3 (Cab Sav, Merlot, Cab Fr) was acquired via the secondary market after being assured by the current cellarmaster @ DeLille that 1994 was a very age-worthy vintage.

fill was mid-neck with a perfect cork. color was darker that most 94 Napa Cabs i have enjoyed and EtOH was listed as 14.2%, higher than most CA colleagues from 15 years ago.

nose was typical with darker fruits and some pencil/leather notes with maybe some cloves or spice? mouthfeel was excellent - both rich and silky - this is elegant wine now. taste revealed blue & black fruits with subdued tannins that were still perceptible. real balance was this wine’s hallmark. only complaint was a shortish finish but the wine was excellent accompaniment to Rib Steaks and grilled asparagus. glad i bought more then one bottle.