DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Red 2018

DeLille’s flagship Red Mountain wine is sourced from Ciel Du Cheval Vineyard (66%), and Klipsun Vineyard (34%). At the core of the wine is 61% old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest of the blend 27% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine is aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak. Jeb Dunnuck on the vintage: ” DeLille can always be counted on to deliver classic, impeccably made wines, and they have done exceptionally well in 2018. They also pull from multiple regions, so its such a great education tasting through these wines when trying to understand a vintage. Their Red Mountain releases seem to be the stars of the show in 2018.

Critical Acclaim

95 Vinous

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.

94 Jeb Dunnuck

One of the flagships from this reference point estate, the 2018 Chaleur Estate checks in as 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. Solid notes of red and black currants, tobacco, dried flowers, and lead pencil define the bouquet, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a concentrated, balanced texture, building yet ripe tannins, and a great finish. As with all of these 2018s, it’s not a blockbuster, but it has a wonderful complexity as well as elegance.

94 Wine Advocate

The 2018 Chaleur Estate begins with a classy and expressive nose offering enticing aromas of dusty black cherry, dark plum, a lush and velvety expression of blackberry reduction, cinnamon-spiced black raspberries and elegant oak tones in the glass. Full-bodied, the round and juicy nature of the wine parades with finesse and precision, displaying flavors of dusty dark red fruit with elements of baked earth, savory herbs and ripe, concentrated fruit tones. The mid-palate sways with finesse and elegance, offering energetic acidity with fine-grained silky tannins, ending with a long, perfectly ripe finish. Persistent flavors of graphite and pencil shavings linger with elements of black cherry skin and bitter dark chocolate over the elongated finish as it uncoils on the aftertaste, marking another fabulous vintage for Chaleur Estate.

93 James Suckling

Currants, blueberries, chocolate orange, cloves and dried lavender on the nose. Its medium-to full-bodied with sleek, creamy tannins. Focused and balanced. A little reserved right now.

92 Wine Spectator

Broad-shouldered yet refined, with handsomely layered black currant, crushed stone and tobacco accents that build tension toward medium-grained tannins.