TN: 2002 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate

WINE TALK
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  • 2002 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (6/12/2009)
    Oaky, caramel, toasty. This thing hasn’t even begun to drink up the prodigious loads of cheddary oak that is slathered all over this. There is a nice, slightly herbaceous Cabernet hiding under there, but it is hiding. The two people I had this with loved it, but I found it badly overoaked and bitter. A shame given the quality of the raw material. Still passable with a nice ribeye but disappointing overall. (83 pts.)

After I finished my note I happened to see the last note I wrote on this wine–which I had totally forgotten about. Talk about some consistency. Interestingly an 01 Chaleur Estate that I opened up over the weekend at a cocktail party was the hit of the night.

  • 2002 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (1/29/2009)
    Not loving this. Quite mean, green and weedy. Tart cherry. Lean. Acidic. There are some nice elements to the core of this, but I am largely unimpressed. (84 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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you think this is just a bad vintage Eric or in need of 5+ more years sideways?

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Glenn, at this point, if I had any more, I would be resting them in hopes they come through the tunnel. I don’t think they are at a flattering point right now. [shrug.gif]