"You have not experienced Washington wine or cuisine, until you have enjoyed the Chaleur Blanc with Pacific Northwest seafood."
Ah, October in wine country, the leaves are turning colors of fire and sunset. Yes, it is noticeably cooler, I needed a blanket last night to sleep and I find myself wearing a hat indoors. Friends and readers know that this is the time of year I begin to crave Chardonnay. It is my wine of the season.
And yet, I find myself drawn this year not to Chardonnay, but to a Sauvignon Blanc dominant white wine. A wine which was difficult to resist drinking in one sitting. A wine made in the Pacific Northwest for Northwest fare.
The 2015 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Blanc is styled as a classic Bordeaux blend, with 73% Sauvignon Blanc and 27% Semillon. After more than 20 vintages, the Chaleur Blanc has become a signature wine. I was impressed. Strongly Recommended!
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| A true Pacific Northwest pairing! |
Tasting Notes
Color: Dark Straw.
Aroma: Yeast, light toast, light almond shell, hint of minerality and spring rain, savory quality.
Palate: Rich across the palate, textured, fresh splash into the finish, bright stone fruit, white peach, tart zing back palate, hard to resist drinking this wine at the sitting, Medium-long finish. Craved seafood, Penn Cove mussels, raw oysters, shrimp salad, sashimi, Poke, Ceviche, etc...you get the idea. Big like.
At 30 minutes: Creamy, nutty, fresh minerality, light perfume, delicate spice, bread and stone fruit aromas. Fuller in mouth, rich fruit, textured, brightness, light spice, light heat, tart pear, medium finish.
One hour: Fresh after the rain breeze, with a toasty warmth to the nose and delicate spice and honeyed yeast. Light creaminess, fresh, fluid caress, medium-light weight, lively mid-palate, honey, spice, ripe white peach, pinch of nutmeg, medium-long finish. Put me in the mood for lobster cooked in butter, sauteed prawns, shrimp cocktail, Bacalao, pan seared Halibut, Dungeness crab and fried oysters. Truly a wine for elegant seafood. Big like. Certainly an excellent choice for Northwest seafood.
Day two: Inviting toasted nose, minerality, morning rain, light spice, sliced pear and unpeeled ginger. Generous in the mouth, pear skin, ripe pear, white peach, fresh minerality of river rock, hint of nutmeg, textured medium-long finish. Elegant wine. Outstanding!
Thoughts: Enjoyed how this wine developed after it was opened. Should be on everyone's must drink list. You have not experienced Washington wine or cuisine, until you have enjoyed the Chaleur Blanc with Pacific Northwest seafood. Drink now and over the next 5 years.
Strongly Recommended.
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| DeLille Cellars 2015 Chaleur Blanc - Strongly Recommended. |
Blend: 73% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Semillon
Vineyards: Sagemoor 51%, Boushey 29%, Klipsun 20%
Closure: Natural Cork
ABV:14.1%
Sample provided by the winery
Executive Winemaker: Chris Upchurch
SRP: $38
Website: www.delillecellars.com
The Carriage House Tasting Room is located just 1/4 mile north of the DeLille Cellars' Chateau.
Tasting Fee: $20.00, waived with two bottle purchase.
14421 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, Woodinville 98072
Phone: 425.877.9472
Tasting Room Hours:
Sunday-Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For Chardonnay selections, you can re-read my 2015 Six Wines to Help you Fall for Washington Chardonnay.
Cheers!