Rosé Vertical Tasting | Owen Bargreen

In May, Wine Critic Owen Bargreen sat down with DeLille’s Director of Winemaking Jason Gorski for a vertical tasting of rosé. 

True to DeLille’s old-world approach, Rosé is crafted in the traditional Bandol style of Southern France.  The fruit is specifically selected to be a part of this blend long before harvest, & our methods are intentional - making it what we call an “honest” Rosé. This is a balanced style of Rosé that retains crisp acidity & begs to be served al fresco. DeLille Cellars Rosé is known for standing ‘the test of time’ with its long aging potential. 

Tasting Notes

2015 Rosé

"A blend of 53% Grenache with 34% Mouvedre and the remainder Cinsault, this shows off wild mushroom and bergamot with melon fruits and strawberry on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with surprisingly good acidity and wonderfully earthy tones. This is mature Washington Rose that is shockingly good considering the heat of the vintage. Drink 2022-2025- 91"

2017 Rosé

"Presenting with slightly less damp earth, and wonderfully bright, the 2017 DeLille Cellars Rose is a sensational wine by Jason Gorski. The palate is ultra-bright with vibrant minerality. Guava puree, white grapefruit and shades of cremini mushroom all come together magically on the palate, with stony minerals. The combination of weight and finesse deftly walks the tightrope here. Drink 2022-2028- 93"

2019 Rosé

"A blend of 47% Grenache, 45% Mouvedre and just a touch of Cinsault. This vintage was the first to have included Red Heaven Vineyard Mourvedre and no Mourvedre from Stone Tree Vineyard. The wine is considerably more bright than the 2017 or 2015. The texture is outstanding here and bright with very pretty red cherry, red raspberry and shades of thyme. Complex and utterly delicious, warm this up a bit for more mouthfeel and serious length. Drink 2022-2028- 93"

2020 Rosé

"The 2020 DeLille Cellars Rose is really hitting its stride now one year in the bottle. This blends 52% Mourvedre with 43% Grenache and a touch of Cinsault. This is already beautifully evolved, with serious weight and rocking earthy tones. Wild mushroom and forest floor flavor combine with ripe Yakima cherry and honeydew melon flavors. The weight is outstanding here as this beautifully evolved wine is best consumed over the next few years. Drink 2022-2026- 92"

2021 Rosé

"Showing off a more orange hue, the 2021 DeLille Cellars is a silky blend of 49% Grenache with 46% Mourvedre and the remainder Cinsault. Aromatically very vibrant this reveals salmonberry and ripe melon tones that combine with shades of nectarine skin. The palate displays dazzling finesse with a soft mouthfeel. The pretty red fruits from the Grenache is really shining through here. Dazzling at this juncture, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2022-2030- 93"

Read Owen Bargreen's full blog post here. 

Shop DeLille Cellars Rosé

DeLille Cellars is regarded as a top producer of Washington wine, showcasing a tradition of quality and excellence over its 30-year history. DeLille remains a principal influence in establishing Washington State as a premier viticultural region, with a focus on the Red Mountain AVA and other prestigious vineyard sites throughout the Columbia Valley. Shop the newest vintage of Rosé wine here.

Barrel Aged Beans

Barrel Aged Beans: A collaboration between Sidekick Coffee & Woodinville Wine Country

Local Woodinville businesses are working together to combine two of our favorite things: wine and coffee. Barrel aged beans is a collaboration between Woodinville Wine Country and Sidekick Coffee using a DeLille Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon barrel to age single-origin Burundi coffee beans.

Shop Wine and Coffee Sets Here

Woodinville Wine Country Executive Director Adam Acampora planted the idea of a collaboration between Woodinville coffee and wine, two industries that bring people together over hand-crafted beverages. The city of Woodinville sees over two million visitors a year and is known for its innovation among wineries, breweries, and distilleries. 

From earth to bag, let’s follow the journey of these barrel aged beans.

The Beans

The team at Sidekick picked a Burundi single-origin coffee because its tasting notes would pair nicely with Cabernet Sauvignon flavors passed on through the barrel aging process.  

East Africa has a reputation for producing high-quality coffee beans and Burundi is no exception. Located south of Rwanda and west of Tanzania, Burundi is a small player in the African coffee industry and produces about 16,000 tons of green (unroasted) coffee each year.

The beans typically have a clean delicate flavor, rich body, and bright acidity. Burundi coffee can also exhibit fruity flavors including notes of floral, citrus, blueberry, and pineapple.

The Process

Once the coffee beans arrived in Woodinville, the team at Sidekick got in touch with local coffee roasters at Hermiker Coffee. The team picked up a DeLille Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon barrel and aged the green coffee in the barrel for just over two weeks. During this period, they were rotated every other day to balance out the aging process and properly distribute moisture. This is an essential step in the aging process as it allows the beans to soak up the flavors and fragrances of the barrel.

The Barrel

Wine barrels play an integral role in adding flavor compounds to wine and other beverages, including notes of vanilla, spice, cedar, and tobacco. DeLille’s Harrison Hill is aged in 100% new French oak, resulting in complex flavors and aromas of red currants, tobacco leaf, and sous bois (notes of forest floor, undergrowth, vegetation).

Barrels tend to lose potency as they are reused. However, older barrels can still add rich textures to wine while allowing softer, fruity characteristics to show. Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 20 months in 80% new French oak, which gently supports the complex matrix of fruit, spice, herbs, and umami flavors. 

After several uses, the barrels have reached the end of their useful life at DeLille Cellars and are passed on. In fact, Sidekick isn’t the only local business that repurposes oak barrels once they have reached the end of their useful life at DeLille Cellars. Seattle’s Fast Penny Spirits and Fair Isle Brewing also reuse the winery’s barrels to impart flavors in their amaro and beer. Reused barrels not only contribute a minor oak presence but also contribute flavors of whatever wine was aged within the barrel. 

The Wine

The specific barrel used in this collaboration held 2020 Harrison Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 8 from a small block planted in 1993. Clone 8 originates from Château Margaux in Bordeaux, France, and was introduced to California vineyards in 1893. It is the most widely planted Cabernet Sauvignon clone in Washington State and is known for reflecting the unique terroir of the vineyard site.

Harrison Hill Vineyard, located in the Snipes Mountain AVA, is known for showing distinctiveness and elegance. Snipes Mountain is distinctive with an elevated topography and unique soils not found elsewhere in the Yakima Valley AVA. Wines from this region are complex, expressive, and exhibit “somewhereness”. Tended with great care from owner Steve Newhouse, it’s no surprise these Harrison Hill Cabernet Sauvignon grapes left great flavor behind on the barrel that housed them for 20 months. 

A Match Made in Heaven

Next time you’re in Woodinville, pick up your bag of Barrel Aged Beans while they last! Available at Sidekick Coffee or Woodinville Wine Country. 

Shop Barrel Aged Beans Gift Sets

2019 Four Flags & Barrel Aged Beans

2019 Four Flags is loaded with its hallmark red and dark fruit aromas. Along with vibrant fruit, this vintage offers a uniquely savory quality. Olive tapenade, star anise, and juniper play with aromas of wild huckleberry, red licorice and Bing cherry.  The mouthfeel is delicately textured, with fine, dusty Red Mountain tannins.  80% new French oak gently supports the complex matrix of fruit, spice, herbs, and umami flavors.  

 

2019 Harrison Hill & Barrel Aged Beans

The lighter ruby red color looks more like Pinot Noir or Grenache then a Cabernet-dominant blend.  The riveting nose showing red currants, tobacco leaf, and sous bois could be blindly mistaken for Bordeaux.  There is a silky texture that effortlessly leads way to an elegant finish that does not seem to end.  Impeccably balanced and oozing with personality, the 2019 Harrison Hill reconfirms why, year after year, it’s one of our favorites

About DeLille Cellars

DeLille Cellars is the third oldest operating winery in Woodinville, WA, founded in 1992. Known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State, the winery has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 700 individual 90+ ratings from leading publications. DeLille Cellars focuses on the Red Mountain AVA and sources grapes from Washington’s most acclaimed vineyards. The winery is recognized by notable wine critics and influencers, including Robert Parker, as one of the top producers in the state.

About Sidekick Coffee

Sidekick Coffee is Woodinville’s long-awaited independent coffee shop. Locally owned and community-minded, you can rely on us for warmth, hospitality, and great coffee. We proudly serve Herkimer roasted coffee, pastries baked in-house, and locally sourced tasty eats. Take a coffee and treat with you on your adventure or sit down and stay awhile in our bright and refreshing space. Coffee makes a great sidekick. #coffeeisyourfriend.

About Woodinville Wine Country

Woodinville Wine Country Association is a group of vintners and affiliates who represents the growing presence of the Washington state wine industry in the Greater Woodinville area. The association’s mission is to create a world-class wine destination and a supportive and profitable environment for Washington vintners and affiliates.

DeLille Cellars Receives 20 91+ Scores in Jame Suckling’s 2022 Washington Wine Report

Washington State: A Cascade of Choice, Untapped Potential, and an Apex Syrah

DeLille Cellars is excited to announce 20 Washington State wines received 91 points or above from James Suckling’s recent Washington Wine Report. Tastings were focused mainly on the 2019 vintage, which was noted as a cooler season resulting in delayed bud break. The following summer months, however, reached 100 degrees in certain areas. August and September were generally moderate and the season ended with a cold snap in October.

2019 Métier - 94 pts

Columbia Valley

Lovely aromas of ripe red fruit, cocoa powder and fresh thyme. Full-bodied with really vivid and vibrant fruit. Great purity and definition. The silky tannins are soaked in juicy fruit. Balanced with good depth and intensity. 42% grenache, 36% mourvedre, 20% syrah and 2% cinsault. Drink or hold.

 

2019 Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 pts

Red Mountain

Blackberry, blackcurrant and black licorice on the nose. Full-bodied with very good depth and intensity. Firm tannins. Well structured with ripe fruit and crushed herbs coming in layers. A surprisingly fresh finish. Best after 2024.

 

 

2018 Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 pts

Red Mountain

A lovely nose of blackberry, blackcurrant, dried thyme and suede. Full-bodied with fine, slightly chewy tannins. Vivid on the palate with plush, ripe fruit. There is lift and clarity, with wet-mineral character. Dark chocolate at the finish. Best after 2023.

 

2020 Chaleur Blanc - 93 pts

Columbia Valley

Aromas of sherbet lemon, peach and thyme. Medium-to full-bodied with lovely stone fruit on the palate. White-tea aromatics, such as jasmine, hibiscus and chamomile come through. Very tasty. Drink now.

Sold out - 2021 vintage releasing this summer!

 

2019 Doyenne - 93 pts

Red Mountain

Aromas of bramble, blackberry, rosemary and leather. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, taught tannins. Ripe fruit is at the core of the palate, accented by fresh floral notes and hints of vanilla and almond. Well balanced and light on its feet. Best in 2024.

 

2019 Chaleur Estate - 93 pts

Red Mountain

Aromas of sweet red fruit, tobacco leaf and vanilla. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Vanilla and cream drive the palate, with notes of leather and sage. A bit of orange peel, too. Good focus and length. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 24% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Best from 2024

 

2018 Grand Ciel Syrah - 93 pts

Red Mountain

Aromas of leather, blackberry and earth. Full-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Rich and opulent palate. Very well balanced and sleek. Will be better after another year. Best after 2023.

 

 

2019 Signature Syrah - 93 pts

Yakima Valley 

Aromas of ripe red cherry, rosemary and dried rose. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Sleek and supple with ripe dark fruit and subtle, ground baking spice. There is a lovely floral character to the palate as well. Dry finish. Drink now.

 

 

2019 Discovery Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 pts

Horse Heaven Hills

Aromas of crushed black fruit and berries, cooking spice and cocoa powder. Full-bodied with quite a lot of woody spice character. Nutmeg and allspice come through. Slightly chewy tannins. Give this some time to integrate. Best after 2024.

 

 

2019 Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 pts

Red Mountain

Dense aromas of ripe red and black fruit, leather and dried herbs. Full-bodied with very good depth and intensity. Silky tannins. Very steady and rich. Drink or hold.

 

 

2019 Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 pts

Red Mountain

Ripe red cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant and a lifted note of white pepper on the nose. Full-bodied with velvety tannins. There is a through-line of vanilla cream to the dried herbs and ripe fruit. Best after 2024.

 

 

2020 Rosé - 92 pts

Columbia Valley

Aromas of red cherries, fresh flowers and rosemary. Full-bodied with good weight and texture. Fairly concentrated and driving for a rosé. Dry and refreshing finish. Drink now.

Purchase the 2021 vintage

 

 

2020 Sagemoor Dionysus Riesling - 92 pts

Columbia Valley

Honeyed aromas of nutmeg, peach and apricot. Medium-to full-bodied with lovely yuzu acidity. A little peppery and a little citrusy with a flavorful finish. A charmer. Drink now.

Sold out - new vintage coming soon!

 

2020 Roussanne - 92 pts

Red Mountain

Aromas of grapefruit, white peach, wet stone and dried herbs. Medium-to full-bodied. The palate starts off as fresh ripe stone-fruit notes and quickly changes into notes of walnuts and almonds. I like the complexity and structure. Drink now.

Sold out - new vintage coming soon!

 

2019 Le Colosse - 92 pts

Yakima Valley

Aromas of ripe plum and red cherry mix with notes of rosemary and milk chocolate. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Well structured and long-lasting with very clear red fruit. Savory finish. 100% merlot. Drink or hold.

 

 

2019 Red Willow Blend - 92 pts

Yakima Valley

Aromas of baked cherry, blackberry and roasted rosemary. Full-bodied with firm tannins. Wet-mineral character adds freshness to the rich dark fruit. Subtle cinnamon spice. 56% cabernet franc, 35% merlot and 9% cabernet sauvignon. Best after 2023.

 

2019 D2 - 91 pts

Columbia Valley

Aromas of ripe red cherry, red licorice, dried sage and suede. Full-bodied with firm tannins. Wet-mineral character mixes with bright red fruit. Ripe raspberries, cherries and sweet paprika. Toasted finish. 67% merlot, 28% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Best after 2023.

 

 

2019 Marguerite Sauvignon Blanc - 91 pts

Columbia Valley

Inviting aromas of lemon, white peach and wet stone. Medium-to full-bodied with a bright and fresh start, but turns rather savory in the finish. Good sur-lie complexity with nice balance. 100% sauvignon blanc. Drink now.

 

 

2019 Harrison Hill - 91 pts

Snipes Mountain

Inviting aromas of sour cherry, cedar and red licorice. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy and fresh on the palate with good balance. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot and 12% cabernet franc. Drink now.

 

 

2019 Minuit - 91 pts

Yakima Valley

Aromas of plum, fig and fresh thyme. Full-bodied with bright berry acidity. Silky tannins. Red cherry and redcurrant. Pleasantly tart. Boysenberry, too. Fresh finish. 70% malbec and 30% cabernet sauvignon. Drink now.

 

 

About DeLille Cellars

DeLille Cellars is the third oldest operating winery in Woodinville, WA, founded in 1992. Known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State, the winery has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 700 individual 90+ ratings from leading publications. DeLille Cellars focuses on the Red Mountain AVA and sources grapes from Washington's most acclaimed vineyards. The winery is recognized by notable wine critics and influencers, including Robert Parker, as one of the top producers in the state. To learn more about DeLille Cellars and shop Washington wine, visit www.delillecellars.com.

The Amarosé Cocktail | Recipe

The Amarosé is the perfect summer cocktail. Crafted with DeLille Cellars Rosé and Fast Penny Spirits Amaricano Bianca, this cocktail is sure to delight. Enjoy inside The Lounge or on The Deck this summer, or in the comfort of your own home. 

Amarosé Cocktail Recipe - by Adam Fream

• 1oz London Dry Gin

• 1oz Amaricano Bianca

• 3/4 oz Rosé Simple Syrup (recipe below)

• 3/4oz Fresh Lemon Juice

• 2 Dashes Peychaud’s Aromatic Bitters

• 1 Dash Scrappy’s Celery Bitters

​Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice.

Double Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Express the oil of a lemon peel over the glass and serve. Garnish with a lemon twist. 

Rosé Simple Syrup

• Combine equal parts granulated sugar and Rosé Wine in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat.

• Stir until sugar is dissolved.  Let cool and then pour into an airtight container (Jar or bottle)

• Syrup will keep, refrigerated, for about a month

Try the Amarosé Cocktail at The Lounge at DeLille Cellars

The Lounge at DeLille Cellars is a wine-centric dining experience featuring hand-crafted cuisine from Executive Chef Michael C. Toni. Along with an extensive wine list, The Lounge now offers select craft cocktails. Enjoy inside dining or outside on The Deck. Make an indoor or weather-dependent outdoor reservation today. 

2022 Wine Enthusiast Advance Buying Guide Scores

Wine Enthusiast’s Advance Buying Guide provides early access to reviews for over 1,800 wines, 20 spirits, and 10 beers. DeLille Cellars is proud to share excellent scores for its Washington wine throughout Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, and Red Mountain AVAs.

2019 Signature Syrah - 94 pts

Yakima Valley

Co-fermented with 2% Viognier, fruit for this wine comes from Red Mountain and Boushey Vineyard. The aromas start out brooding, with notes of boysenberry, violet and spice. Full bodied, rich, intense, luscious, seamless fruit flavors follow. It’s hedonism in a glass, with no shortage of grace. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. Editors’ Choice. —S.S. 

 

2019 Red Willow - 94 pts

Yakima Valley

Fruit and barrel intertwine on the aromas and flavors, with notes of vanilla, coffee, dried tobacco, char and cherry. It has a creamy feel that ups the appeal. Barrel notes linger on the finish. Give it time in bottle to see it at its best. Enjoy after 2027" - S.S

 

 

2019 Minuit - 93 pts

Yakima Valley

This is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas intrigue, with notes of whole tangerine, cumin, cedar, black pepper and plum. Plump palate-coating purple and blue-fruit flavors follow. It’s got a big-time yum factor. Editors’ Choice. —S.S.

 

 

2019 Discovery Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 pts

Horse Heaven Hills

Located on Phinny Ridge, Discovery Vineyard has quickly established itself as one of this appellation’s top sites. Aromas of bittersweet chocolate, dried herb, black currant and plum lead to bright, rich, tightly packed fruit flavors. It shows a lot of hedonism, polish and class. —S.S. 

 

2019 Le Colosse Merlot - 93 pts

Yakima Valley

This is a blend of fruit from top sites Boushey, Harrison Hill and DuBrul. The aromas enchant, with notes of fresh and dried herb, orange rind, sage, cedar, plum and bing cherry. The flavors and plush and palate coating while bringing a lot of grace. It’s delicious. Editors’ Choice. —S.S.

 

2018 Grand Ciel Syrah - 92 pts

Red Mountain

The aromas aren’t fully ready to reveal themselves, with notes of dark fruit, spice and herb. Full feeling, seamless flavors follow. There’s intensity but a hand firmly on the throttle. —S.S. 

 

 

2019 Marguerite Sauvignon Blanc - 92 pts

Columbia Valley 

The aromas intrigue, with notes of clover honey, toast, bright herb, lime peel and assorted spices. Full-bodied flavors follow, showing pleasing complexities and a warm finish.

It’s terrific now but will only expand with time in the cellar. Best after 2025. —S.S.

 

2019 Klipsun Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 pts

Red Mountain

Coming from one of Red Mountain’s top sites, this is a charm offensive. The aromas bring notes of savory herb, black plum and dark raspberry. There’s plenty of intensity to the flavors, along with midpalate density. The finish hangs. It’s tasty. —S.S. 

 

2019 Shaw Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 pts

Red Mountain

This wine is a complete delight. The aromas bring notes of cigar box, vanilla extract, boysenberry, black cherry, cedar and fresh herb. Full feeling but still fleet-of-foot flavors follow. It’s a restrained look at this often burly appellation, with a great yum factor. —S.S.

 

2019 D2 - 91 pts

Columbia Valley

Merlot comprises 60% of this wine and Cabernet Sauvignon 34%, with the rest bits of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The aromas pull you into the glass, with notes of plum, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla and spice. The flavors are reserved and creamy feeling, delivering on all that promise. —S.S. 

 

2019 Doyenne - 91 pts

Red Mountain

This is a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of barrel spice, cherry, herb and plum lead to flavors that show intensity and also the svelteness of the vintage. 

 

 

 

Shop Washington Wine from Red Mountain

DeLille Cellars is a boutique artisan winery that has been producing high-quality wines since 1992. The winery is known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State and has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 200 wines rated 90+ from leading publications. Visit our Woodinville winery or shop Washington wines online. 

DeLille Cellars Celebrates 30 Years of Winemaking in Washington State & Releases Mini Documentary

DeLille's Founders: Chris Upchurch, Jay A. Soloff, Greg Lill, and Charles Lill

DeLille Cellars, a pioneering Washington State winery, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary with the release of a short documentary capturing the story of the winery’s beginning. Founded in 1992 by Jay Soloff, Chris Upchurch, and Charles and Greg Lill, DeLille was the first winery in the state to focus distinctly on both red and white Bordeaux-style blends. 

The video highlights how DeLille’s founders met and created the idea to start one of Washington’s early wineries, now the third oldest in Woodinville. Through stories of French heritage, home winemaking, trips to Bordeaux and late-night punch-downs, the foundation for excellence and passion to unearth and showcase Washington’s world-class wine region is reflected in the interviews of DeLille’s founders and present-day team. DeLille Cellars invites you to pour a glass of Washington wine and watch and share the story. Visit DeLille's website to learn more about the winery's history.

DeLille’s founders believed blends transcended the sum of their individual parts, and sought to showcase the powerful, concentrated, and structured fruit of Washington State through the European art of blending, whether different varietals or vineyard sites. This founding principle along with the company philosophy of “always seeking” guides the winery’s commitment to exceptional wine quality and winery experiences and its dedication to constant improvement and continuous discovery in the cellar.

"Thirty years is short in the overall history of wine, but it’s a significant milestone for DeLille and the Washington State wine industry," said CEO Tom Dugan. “Our founders set out to showcase the world-class wine quality of Washington State. Despite the tremendous opportunity that still exists to grow awareness nationally and abroad, we’re proud to have helped establish the exceptional quality of wine that can be grown and made here and to have contributed to the remarkable growth of the Washington State wine industry. As we continue to build on the strong foundation of focusing on celebrated vineyard sites, quality in the cellar, and distinctive and memorable wine experiences, we’re extremely excited about the next 30 years."

Director of Winemaking Jason Gorski and CEO Tom Dugan in front of DELille's Tasting Room at the Old Redhook Brewery (Credit: Richard Duval)

In 2019, DeLille Cellars moved all winery production and operations to the Old Redhook Brewery in Woodinville, Washington, where it built a tasting room and opened a restaurant, The Lounge at DeLille Cellars. While DeLille started with just two wines, the current portfolio includes over two dozen wines with a focus on Bordeaux and Rhone-inspired blends as well as highly limited Cabernets and single vineyard and varietal expressions. DeLille celebrated its anniversary over the weekend of April 29th at its Woodinville location with a dinner in its Grand Ciel Hall, a new event space above its restaurant, and a Taste & Tour experience throughout its three-story tasting room.

DeLille Cellars founding wines, Chaleur Estate and D2, 1992 vintage

About DeLille Cellars

Bordeaux Inspired – Distinctly Washington – Uniquely DeLille

DeLille Cellars is the third oldest operating winery in Woodinville, WA, founded in 1992. Known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State, the winery has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 700 individual 90+ ratings from leading publications. DeLille Cellars focuses on the Red Mountain AVA and sources grapes from Washington's most acclaimed vineyards. The winery is recognized by notable wine critics and influencers as one of the top producers in the state.

DeLille Cellars Métier Renamed Le Dessein

Métier to Become a New Label and Brand in the DeLille Cellars Portfolio

With the 2020 vintage, DeLille Cellars will rename its Métier wine, a Columbia Valley blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsaut. The cuvée will be renamed Le Dessein, meaning “the purpose”, a fitting tribute for a wine that has been made with great intention since its first vintage in 2005. 

Le Dessein is mirrored after traditional Southern Rhône-style blends and combines old-world characteristics with the ripe terroir of Washington’s Columbia Valley.

Listen to the pronunciation here

2020 Le Dessein

In its youth, 2020 Le Dessein (formerly Métier) is showing dark, brambly fruits that are offered up by the Mourvèdre (44%) and Syrah (20%), with Grenache (36%) adding Bing Cherry and strawberry leaf.  There is a serious meaty, bacon fat component to this wine that is accentuated by notes of black pepper, violets and cranberry.  The silky structure is lifted by wonderful acidity, bringing a sense of freshness to the palate.  This wine always drinks well on release and can be cellared for 12+ years.

Whether appreciating a glass on its own or pairing it with food, Le Dessein is delicious no matter how you choose to enjoy it.

Recommended Pairings

Red meats and game, especially with mushroom and pepper sauces, pair particularly well with Le Dessein. Wild boar and pork chops are also great for lighter selections. Roasted, spice-driven dishes like Moroccan chicken or smoked cauliflower steaks bring out nuances of secondary flavors within the wine. We recommend avoiding seafood pairings, however, tuna and even salmon with rich, flavorful sauces complement the blend nicely.

2020 Métier Cabernet Sauvignon

With the renaming of our Columbia Valley Southern Rhône-style blend to Le Dessein, we are excited to announce the launch of a new Métier brand and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Métier means craft, trade, or forte, and embodies the many hands involved throughout the winemaking process: from planting and pruning, to harvest, crush, fermentation, and bottling.  We acknowledge the expertise required to create a Cabernet Sauvignon that honors Columbia Valley as a unique growing region.

The concept of Métier is also evident in the label, designed by local Seattle artist Becca Fuhrman.  Two hands hold the sun and moon, representing the hot days and cool nights that make Washington’s sun-soaked Columbia Valley an ideal growing region for Cabernet Sauvignon.  This natural phenomenon, known as diurnal shift, offers cool nights that conserve acidity, and intense sunny days that infuse bold, ripe fruit flavors.  It is from this foundation of distinctive fruit that we meticulously craft our Métier, acknowledging the very best of the hands that diligently work the vineyards and the cellar.

Métier Cabernet Sauvignon is an inviting, smooth wine, with black cherry and plum aromas pouring from the glass.  Flavors of bold dark fruits and charming notes of baking spice combine, with a juicy midpalate and pleasantly firm, dry finish.  Best paired in the company of family and friends, Métier offers a balance of structure and approachability that can accompany a wide variety of foods.

More details will be available soon regarding the release of the new Métier Cabernet Sauvignon.

About DeLille Cellars

DeLille Cellars is the third oldest operating winery in Woodinville, WA, founded in 1992. Known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State, the winery has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 700 individual 90+ ratings from leading publications. DeLille Cellars focuses on the Red Mountain AVA and sources grapes from Washington's most acclaimed vineyards. The winery is recognized by notable wine critics and influencers, including Robert Parker, as one of the top producers in the state. To learn more about DeLille Cellars and shop Washington wine, visit www.delillecellars.com.

DeLille Cellars Named 2022 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year

DeLille Cellars Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Jason Gorski & CEO Tom Dugan in front of the Woodinville Tasting Room (Richard Duval Images)

DeLille Cellars is honored to be named the 2022 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year by Great Northwest Wine Magazine. Five years ago, our Woodinville winery was named 2017 Washington Winery of the Year and in 2018, DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill Cabernet Sauvignon wine was voted Best Red Wine for the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition. The winery has earned many other accolades over its 30-year history, including multiple platinum medals and the 2019 Chaleur Blanc voted as Seattle Times' Top Northwest Wine.

DeLille attributes its success to the solid foundation laid by its four founders: Greg Lill, Jay A. Soloff, Chris Upchurch, and the late Charles Lill. Although DeLille Cellars was officially formed in 1992, two of our founders, Chris Upchurch and Jay Soloff, began making wine together back in 1980. 

A Solid Foundation in Washington Wine

In 1979, Jay Soloff was working as Wine Director for El Gaucho in Seattle and hired Chris Upchurch to act as Wine Buyer for the 13 Coins restaurant at SeaTac. Chris was hired because he stated on his application that his home winemaking skills would help him make better decisions as a buyer. It wasn't long before Chris and Jay started making wine together and acquired "The Grapeline," a wine grower contract with Sagemoor Vineyards, and began selling grapes as well.

Jay A. Soloff and Chris Upchurch's business license for The Grape Line 

In 1987, Jay Soloff joined the Emerald City Rotary and happened to sit next to Greg Lill, where they unearthed a mutual interest in wine. For years, the two friends would converse and enjoy wine at Cedar Ponds Farm (which would in time become the founding site of the winery) and in 1992, DeLille Cellars was founded. 

The Early Years of DeLille Cellars

The founders hired David Lake, a luminary in the Washington wine industry, to consult for the winery’s first decade. He guided DeLille in the early years, advising on everything from equipment and winemaking techniques to vineyards and varietals. David facilitated making introductions to key vineyard sources, including Red Mountain sites and Red Willow in Yakima Valley. David encouraged DeLille to acquire the rights to Harrison Hill vineyard and guided them in the production of Washington's first white Bordeaux-style blend, Chaleur Blanc. 

David’s advice and support were essential contributors to the exceptional quality and critical acclaim achieved in those early years. “Chris was an amateur winemaker, and Dad basically funded us to start with,” Greg Lill said. “In 1992, there was Columbia, of course, the Château (Ste. Michelle), French Creek Cellars and I think Facelli started the same year as us. What’s happened in Woodinville and what Washington has grown up to become is pretty remarkable, and a lot of industry people say that we’ve helped with that.”

The four founders of DeLille: Chris Upchurch, Jay A. Soloff, Greg Lill, and Charles Lill

CEO Tom Dugan & Director of Winemaking Jason Gorski Guide the Future of DeLille

Today, the winery is led by CEO Tom Dugan, although the founders remain involved shareholders. “All of the founders have been very active as owners, but most recently, less so in day-to-day operations with our move to Redhook,” Dugan said. “I think they’ve all enjoyed the growth and success, and I’ve always felt pretty honored that they felt comfortable to step back and hand the reins over to us.”

CEO Tom Dugan at the old Redhook Forecaster Pub, now The Lounge at DeLille Cellars

Back in 2014, Tom Dugan was planning to leave his career in investment banking and private equity for business school, but his plans changed when his former colleague, Sam Bronfman of Bacchus Capital Management, reached out. At the time, DeLille was also looking for a vice-president of operations. “When I spoke to Sam about business school, he along with Chris, Jay, and Greg, convinced me to move out to Seattle for a year to help them at the winery. That one year turned into what will be eight this August, and included becoming GM and COO before Greg stepped down,” reflected Dugan. 

While CEO Tom Dugan spearheads the operations of the winery, Director of Winemaking Jason Gorski guides the winemaking team in producing acclaimed Bordeaux-style blends. 

The DeLille Cellars winemaking team: Cellar Lead Page Kafonek, Cellar Lead Sarah Jackson, Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Jason Gorski, Winemaker Nick Bernstein, Cellar Hand Sophie Louaillier, Assistant Winemaker Mari Rossi

Gorski's Winemaking Journey

At the age of 19, Jason Gorski was in charge of choosing the dinner wine on the family-owned farm he worked on. “It was part of their family ritual,” he said. “I started to learn as much as I could about wine and thought about it as a career because I’ve always enjoyed making things with my hands.”

Gorski reflected, “I was fortunate to realize at a very young age that wine was my passion. During my education at Duke University, my academic advisor/mentor introduced me to a respected sommelier. That conversation became a pivotal moment when he told me to jump in headfirst. His words, “Life may get in the way, so don’t wait – just leap,” is what has guided me toward many professional and personal life choices. In hindsight, it was that encounter that influenced my career path and brought me to where I am today.”

After graduating in 2002, Gorski applied his biology degree to a winemaking position at Four Sisters Winery in New Jersey. After a few years, he landed a position at Château Ste. Michelle. In 2011, Gorski was hired to replace Chris Peterson at DeLille, who went on to pursue his own winemaking efforts at Woodinville’s Avennia Winery. 

“(Upchurch) always said, ‘When you join the winemaking team, you are here to contribute, not just perform work orders,’ ” Gorski says. “Everybody brings something to the table. I think that’s the most important characteristic at DeLille — the culture of craftsmanship, working together, treating the wines as if they are your own, and honoring the legacy of people who have come through here.”

Guiding the winery's daily operations, Director of Winemaking and Viticulture Jason Gorski has been key to the winery's growth and continued lineup of accolades since 2011. Gorski now leads a team of five - Winemaker Nick Bernstein, Assistant Winemaker Mari Rossi, Cellar Lead Page Kafonek, Cellar Lead Sarah Jackson, and Cellar Hand Sophie Louallier.

“When I started here, we made 8,000 cases and eight wines,” Gorski reflected. “We have many more wines and many more cases now. I’m not an owner, but I think of these wines as if they are mine and our incredibly talented winemaking team.”

The words of Founding Winemaker Chris Upchurch still reign true at the winery: “At DeLille, we believe that Washington State is a Grand Cru wine-growing region, created 10,000 years ago.  The challenge for us has always been and remains: to create special wines from the uniquely expressive terroir that Mother Nature gave us a long time ago." 

The Lounge at DeLille Cellars, a new wine-centric Woodinville restaurant

Looking Ahead

In 2021, DeLille opened its newest venture, The Lounge at DeLille Cellars, a wine-centric dining experience next door to its three-story Tasting Room at the Old Redhook Brewery. Here, guests can enjoy wine by the glass and bottle alongside hand-crafted cuisine from Executive Chef Michael C. Toni. 

The founding principle of “always seeking” guides the winery’s steadfast commitment to constant improvement, continuous discovery in the cellar, and the creation of exceptional wines and experiences. Always seeking to build on the strong foundation of its founders, DeLille Cellars is celebrating its 30th anniversary this spring, and we toast to what the upcoming years will bring. 

Read the full article on Great Northwest Wine here

 

Marguerite Sauvignon Blanc: A Tribute to Devotion & Patience

The daisy, known as marguerite in French, is a symbol of devotion and patience. It is only fitting the flower lends its name to our 100% Sauvignon Blanc, loyally tended in barrel for three times longer than our norm.

Since 1995, DeLille Cellars has crafted Sauvignon Blanc as part of our esteemed Chaleur Blanc blend (Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon). For years, Jason Gorski, DeLille Cellars’ Director of Winemaking and Viticulture, had the vision to craft an exceptional 100% Sauvignon Blanc from some of Washington State’s finest vines. This long-standing goal came to fruition in 2018 when the Sauvignon Blanc was set apart to age separately from other wines. These grapes are sourced from Sagemoor Bacchus Block 5, planted in 1972, and are one of the oldest of the variety in Washington State. A single large-format “cigar” barrel was selected to over vintage, aging 18 months (versus 6 months for Chaleur Blanc). The wine was then bottled “sur lie”, unfined and unfiltered. We released the inaugural vintage of Marguerite spring of 2021.

Behind the Name

Three years ago, Jason Gorski sat in his kitchen pondering a name for the old vine Sauvignon Blanc. His daughter, four years old, asked what he was doing. Jason explained he was trying to think of a name for the wine - something like a white flower. “A daisy is a white flower,” his daughter replied. DeLille is a French-inspired winery and marguerite, meaning daisy, was perfect. Daisies also symbolize patience, an essential component in the winemaking process as Marguerite is aged three times longer than Chaleur Blanc.

The Process

“Overvintaging,” or resting the wine in barrel longer than usual, allows for the barrel to impart additional flavors to the wine. If the winemaking team finds a particular barrel of exceptional quality, they will hold it to over vintage Sauvignon Blanc, rather than adding it to the Chaleur Blanc blend, composed of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

The Label

Daisies are featured behind the script on the Marguerite label. The DeLille crest is also featured, as Marguerite is one of three wines in our legacy series (alongside Chaleur Estate and Harrison Hill). Looking closely, there is a subtle change on the label: the lower icons of the crest are reversed. The flower (cinquefoil) is white instead of gold to represent the white daisy. 

The cinquefoil highlights what the team at DeLille believes to be the ultimate end of our winemaking efforts – the joy of sharing a bottle of wine together. This symbol is seen in multiple places throughout the Woodinville Tasting Room, including in the center of the dancers at the end of the “Alchemy Wall” on the first floor that highlights the journey of wine from soil to celebration, as well as on the Bordeaux Lion, Charlemagne’s, cloak on the second floor.

The book represents the winery’s endless desire for exploration, discovery, and seeking new things – from vineyard sites to new blends or rare lots. 

2018 Marguerite

2018 marks the inaugural vintage of this old-vine Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh and vibrant, the wine is a special barrel-selection Sauvignon Blanc sourced from Block 5 in the Sagemoor vineyard with vines dating back to 1972.

In his tasting, Jason Gorski noted lots of lees impact on the wine, as the wine was in contact with the yeast that fermented it for 18 months (usually the wine is rested on lees for six months). The wine shows notes of woodsmoke, underbrush, pine needle, eucalyptus, and bakery spices that the yeast imparts. “Mission accomplished,” reported Jason Gorski. “After three to four years worth of envisioning what this vineyard site could do, with the barrel, and a completely different winemaking technique than what we have ever done”. 2018 Marguerite is delicious, distinctive, and unique.

At the top of the crest, the lion is moving forward but also looking back, symbolizing DeLille’s “always seeking” philosophy and moving to the future while paying tribute to the path and people that got us to where we are today.

Bob Betz, Master of Wine and Winemaker at Betz Family Winery described the wine as “maybe the best white wine yet to come from Washington”. He added, “The streak of fabulous DeLille white wines continues but reaches new heights with this wine.  One of the great Sauvignon Blancs produced in America, and I think this is Pessac-Leognan Grand Cru level quality; it’s terrific wine.  Specific fruit selection, unique barrel aging, judicious blending by Jason and his team has created a real masterpiece here.  It’s got extraordinary dimension, expression, and harmony; generous yellow fig, fragrant lemon, grass, pear, spiced apple, a little tropical nuance.  Long litany of descriptors here.  It’s dry, yet weighty; unctuous, yet bright.  A complete wine, this thing has it all.”

Owen Bargreen described the wine as “fresh and vibrant” in his 2022 Vinous scores. “It’s quite rich and intense, providing smoky and stony undertones alongside a silky texture, wonderful orchard fruits and serious viscosity.” Bargreen rated the 2018 vintage 94 points. Marguerite was also labeled in Robb Report as an “outstanding Sauvignon Blanc you’ll want to sip all Spring

2019 Marguerite

The newly released 2019 Marguerite offers aromas of grapefruit, lemon rind, chamomile, and jasmine that effortlessly explode from the glass. There is a power and focus to this wine that is not easily attained by this aromatic varietal; credit is due to the complexity contributed by the older vines at Sagemoor Bacchus, planted in 1972. The texture is quite creamy and lush mid-palate with barrel influence and extended lees contact, yet balanced with austere minerality on the finish. Lay this stunner down for several years to optimize its full potential.

The Sauvignon Blanc grapes used for Marguerite were hand sorted, whole-cluster pressed, then cold settled for 48 hours and fermented in a mix of 320L and 225L French oak barrels. Each of the 30 barrels is stirred weekly for the first seven months. A mix of coopers, toast levels, yeast strains, and natural ferment gives each barrel a unique profile. We then select our favorite 10 barrels to keep on lees for an additional 12 months. The 2019 vintage is lightly filtered.

Taste Marguerite alongside Jason Gorski

About DeLille Cellars

DeLille Cellars is regarded as a top American producer of Bordeaux-style blends, showcasing a tradition of quality and excellence over its 30-year history. DeLille remains a principal influence in establishing Washington State as a premier viticultural region, with a focus on the Red Mountain AVA and other prestigious vineyard sites throughout the Columbia Valley. 

Founded on the concept of crafting world-class wine from Washington State, DeLille was one of the first five wineries in Washington to receive Robert Parker's 5-star excellence rating. The winery’s legacy of consistent quality and acclaim includes over 700 individual 90+ ratings from top international critics, numerous placements on Top 100 lists, and four consecutive Wine & Spirits Top 100 Wineries of the World accolades (2017-2020). 

DeLille was the first winery in the state to focus on both red and white Bordeaux-style blends. Seeking to create the best blends through combinations of different grapes varietals and vineyard sites, the founders of DeLille Cellars believed that all good blends transcend the sum of their individual parts. This founding principle and a company philosophy of “always seeking” guides the winery’s commitment to constant improvement, continuous discovery in the cellar, and ultimately the creation of exceptional wines and experiences.  

 

2022 Vinous Scores

We are honored to share the latest scores from Owen Bargreen, the new Washington Wine editor at Vinous. Wine Critic Owen Bargreen is a certified sommelier and has reviewed thousands of wines from around the world. He has traveled extensively throughout the wine regions of Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley in France, Spain, Italy and Germany. 

DeLille Cellars Chaleur Blanc, 2020 - 94 pts

"The utterly fabulous 2020 Blanc Chaleur Estate white wine is a sensational blend of 73% Sauvignon Blanc with the remainder Sémillon. The Sémillon really seems to be showing a lot here, contributing banana and melon alongside wet stone and lemon blossom that all mingle in the glass. The palate shows good freshness and weight as well as a great sense of elegance and minerality. The length adds to the enjoyment. This is up there with the best editions of this wine that I have tasted over the past 20 years." (Owen Bargreen, 94)

 

DeLille Cellars Roussanne, 2020 - 93 pts

"The 2020 Roussanne is a beautiful new wine by the talented DeLille winemaking team and director of winemaking Jason Gorski. The nose evokes fantastic range, from banana and honeydew melon to starfruit and damp earth underpinnings. The palate is fresh, vibrant and beautifully textured. The weight really entices as layers of melon and Yakima cherry mingle with minerals and earthy tones on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to go." (Owen Bargreen, 93)

 

DeLille Cellars Rosé, 2020 - 93 pts

"The 2020 Rosé from DeLille Cellars blends 52% Mourvèdre and 43% Grenache with a splash of Cinsault. The nose is wonderfully earthy and rounded out with melon, citrus blossom and watermelon tones, and the mouthfeel of the wine is seriously good. This is refreshing rosé with bright red fruits that shows a great sense of weight and length. Gratifying to drink now, it also has some cellaring potential." (Owen Bargreen, 93)

 

DeLille Cellars Sagemoor Dionysus Riesling, 2020 - 92 pts

"Sourced from an old block in the Bacchus vineyard that has since been removed, the 2020 Riesling Sagemoor Dionysus is a one-of-a-kind, Trocken-style wine that shows petrol and yellow florals on the nose along with shades of Japanese pear. The palate has great tension, a wonderful sense of minerality and just a kiss of sweetness." (Owen Bargreen, 92)

 

DeLille Cellars Métier, 2019 - 93 pts

"The 2019 Métier is a gorgeous blend of 42% Grenache and Mourvèdre (36%) with smaller parts Syrah and Cinsault. The garrigue notes are gorgeous, and bright red cherry and cigar box tones mingle with black olive on the nose. The palate shows good freshness, a soft mouthfeel and a light dusting of salinity. Layers of ripe red and dark fruits parade with stony and earthy tones, sagebrush and creosote. This just fantastic Rhône-inspired wine for the price." (Owen Bargreen, 93)

 

DeLille Cellars De Ponte Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2019 - 92 pts

"Sourced from one of the great sites in the Dundee Hills, the 2019 Pinot Noir De Ponte Vineyard exudes class with its soft mouthfeel and layers of pretty red fruits, red rose petals and citrus rind accents. Medium-bodied, showing good length, this is best enjoyed over the next 8-10 years." (Owen Bargreen, 92)

 

DeLille Cellars Lonesome Rock Ranch Pinot Noir, 2019 - 92 pts

"Presenting a pretty guava and red fruit profile, the 2019 Pinot Noir Lonesome Rock Ranch shows lighter viscosity and a silky mouthfeel once on the palate. Minerals and light damp earthy tones add to the enjoyment. This excellent cool-vintage effort is best consumed over the next eight years." (Owen Bargreen, 92)

 

DeLille Cellars Shaw Vineyard, 2018 - 96 pts

"The 2018 Shaw Vineyard is beautifully evolved even at the three-year mark. Aromatically quite complex, it displays really good range, from sagebrush and sandalwood tones to blackberry and huckleberry tones. The soft texture grabs your attention as the wine effortlessly glides across the midpalate, delivering plenty of espresso bean, blueberry compote, tar and black licorice flavors. Complex and delicious to savor now, this has another 20 years ahead of it." (Owen Bargreen, 96)

 

DeLille Cellars Lot 3, 2018 - 96 pts

"Silky, elegant and very well-balanced, the 2018 Lot 3 is a sensational Cabernet Sauvignon that is only starting to hit its stride. On the nose, it takes on layers of iodine alongside blackberry, tar, mocha and baking spices that all evolve in the glass. The palate is silky, plush and seamless with gratifying freshness and viscosity. Black and blue fruits collide with minerals and scorched earth tones on the palate. Enjoy this scintillating bottling over the next 15 years." (Owen Bargreen, 96)

 

DeLille Cellars Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018 - 95 pts

"The classy 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Ciel is a deep, hedonistic bottling by DeLille Cellars. Creosote and baking spices mingle with a rich core of dark fruits and salty undertones on the palate. The veil of tension, the rich mouthfeel and the impressive length all make this beautiful wine sing. Try to give it an hour of air if consuming in its vibrant youth." (Owen Bargreen, 95)

 

DeLille Cellars Harrison Hill, 2018 - 95 pts

"The 2018 Harrison Hill is a gorgeous effort by Jason Gorski and his DeLille Cellars winemaking team. Black florals combine with red cherry, black berry cobbler and suggestions of Asian spices on the nose. The palate is rich, viscous and elegant, with refined tannins holding everything in place. Enjoy this outstanding new wine over the next 15-plus years." (Owen Bargreen, 95)

 

DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate, 2018 - 95 pts

"Showing more tar and scorched earth tones than the Harrison Hill, the 2018 Chaleur Estate presents an exotic bouquet of Arabica bean mingled with blue and black fruits and loamy soil undertones. The palate is elegant and silky, as refined tannins caress the layers of boysenberry, black cherry cordial and spice box. Gorgeous now, but this has a long way to go." (Owen Bargreen, 95)

 

DeLille Cellars Four Flags, 2018 - 94 pts

Sold out! View the 2019 vintage here

"Already quite nicely evolved, the 2018 Four Flags evokes black tea, exotic spice and chocolate aromas alongside a great wall of dark fruits. Full-bodied and intense, with sagebrush and scorched earth undertones, this is drinking beautifully right now and will continue to cellar well for another 15 years - or more!" (Owen Bargreen, 94)

 

DeLille Cellars Marguerite, 2018 - 94 pts

"Fresh and vibrant, the 2018 Marguerite is a special barrel-selection Sauvignon Blanc sourced from Block 5 in the Sagemoor vineyard, with vines dating back to 1972, and crafted from wine stored in cigar barrels. It’s quite rich and intense, providing smoky and stony undertones alongside a silky texture, wonderful orchard fruits and serious viscosity." (Owen Bargreen, 94)

 

DeLille Cellars Red Willow, 2018 - 94 pts

"The 2018 Red Wine Red Willow is a silky, elegant wine that blends 57% Cabernet Franc, 26% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose, it offers florals combined with sagebrush, blackberry compote and black licorice underpinnings. Fresh, vibrant and silky-smooth on the attack, this seamlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Highly refined yet showing good weight, this outstanding Left Bank-inspired red blend will satisfy for at least another decade to come." (Owen Bargreen, 94)

 

DeLille Cellars Grand Ciel Syrah, 2018 - 94 pts

"The 2018 Syrah Grand Ciel is a beautifully textured wine that is already wonderfully evolved. Rich anise, espresso bean, blueberry pie and smoky minerals all combine on the palate, along with shades of smoked brisket. Fantastic now in its fresh, rich youth, this has another decade of life in front of it." (Owen Bargreen, 94)

 

DeLille Cellars Signature Syrah, 2018 - 94 pts

Sold out! View the 2019 vintage

"The beautiful 2018 Syrah Signature includes a touch of Viognier (2%). It’s very fresh and somewhat hedonistic with its massive dark fruit profile, and layers of dark chocolate shavings, black tea and exotic spices all add to the intrigue. This has the stuffing and finesse to last at least another decade." (Owen Bargreen, 94)

 

DeLille Cellars Le Colosse, 2018 - 93 pts

"The Merlot-dominant (88%) 2018 Le Colosse is an outstanding Yakima Valley bottling. Sagebrush, black cherry compote and shades of Earl Grey tea all dominate the nose. Fresh and beautifully textured, the wine delivers a great core of dark fruits with coffee ground and menthol undertones." (Owen Bargreen, 93)

 

DeLille Cellars Minuit, 2018 - 93 pts

"The 2018 Minuit blends 70% Malbec with the reminder Cabernet Sauvignon. It exudes class, offering blackberry and black tea tones that meld with the serious combination of tension and weight, and finishes exceedingly long. While highly gratifying to enjoy now, this has at least a decade of life ahead of it." (Owen Bargreen, 93)

 

 

DeLille Cellars D2, 2018 - 93 pts

Sold out! View the 2019 vintage here

"The 2018 D2 exudes class with dense layers of toasty oak that connect with black cherry cough syrup, blackberry compote, mocha and tar, all marching in unison in the glass. The palate is dense, chewy and full of life. Downright delicious flavors of black tea and blackberry pie and shades of menthol and coffee grounds combine with a great sense of tension and light tannins. Enjoy this fantastic new wine over the next decade or more." (Owen Bargreen, 93)

 

DeLille Cellars Doyenne, 2018 - 93 pts

"The 2018 Doyenne is already beautifully evolved at the three-year-mark. A Provençale-style blend of 61% Syrah and 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, it delivers plenty of viscosity and weight on the palate. Fresh and beautifully textured, with black cherry, black olive tapenade, boysenberry and loamy soil notes, this is an outstanding effort that will continue to impress over the next decade." (Owen Bargreen, 93)