DeLille Cellars
Chaleur Blanc 2021
Columbia Valley
Crafting a white Bordeaux-style blend was unheard of in Washington when the winery first created Chaleur Blanc. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc & Sémillon, this wine is fermented sur lie in French oak barrels, imparting a memorable “crème brulee” finish. Served at the White House over three administrations & rivaling its French counterparts in quality & exceptional value, Chaleur Blanc has become one of the winery’s most influential blends. First vintage 1995.
Vineyard
31% Boushey Vineyard, 30% Sagemoor Vineyard, 27% Klipsun Vineyard, 8% Phinney Hill Vineyard, 4% Conner Lee Vineyard. Mostly sourced from the Red Mountain AVA.
Winemaking
Whole cluster pressed, fermented in 90% French oak (60% new) and 10% stainless steel with partial native yeast, and aged 7 months on lees. 67% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon
Vintage Note
2021 was a warm growing season in Washington marked by a record shattering heat event in late June and, in some cases, historically low yields at harvest. While the crop was much smaller than growers and winemakers would have liked, all were pleased with quality. – washingtonwine.org
Tasting Note
“Perfectly balanced notes of fresh gooseberry, white wildflower, freshly washed linen, dried pineapple, roasted peach, nutmeg, and just a hint of smoked lemon peel meld together with a full-body, phenomenal freshness, well-balanced levels of acidity, and a long finish that ends a bit spicy.” – Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
Color
White
Grape Varieties
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Appellation
Columbia Valley
Alcohol
13.9%
Suggested Retail Price
$45
