Now that the weather has shifted into our lovely Northwest spring, wine tasting season is in full swing. And one might ask what is the new wine tasting scene like? Well, let’s visit a few lovely spots and go over that! Today we are starting with Delille Cellars!
I am a wine club member at Delille so every spring season as I pick up my wine, I take time to do a tasting all by my lonesome so I can really focus on the wines and what they have to say.
The director of wine making Jason Gorski is an acquaintance and distinguished winemaker in the area so I look forward with a child like vigilance to what he is releasing each year. I have had the honor of interviewing him as well as working with him for bottling and have imminent respect for his dedication and of course his wine making abilities.
To address the changs in testing deliveries, I believe Delille has made one of the best presentations! Limiting personal interactions unless requested, they provide a full tasting upon seating complete with detailed notes of the wines and a scannable video link to the winemaker with more in-depth detail for those whom love that!
This seasons tasting begins with 2020 Rose’, 2018 Doyenne, 2018 Le Colosse (new kid on the block), 2018 D2, 2018 Minuit ( I bottled this) and ending with 2018 Chaleur Estate red.
Let me just start with Rose’s are very “moody” for me. I have to be in the right mood for them. Delille Rose’s are always delightful when I’m in the Rose’ mood!
Doyenne with is Sexy Syrah ( thanks for coining the phrase up here David LeClaire) dominant profile backed with cab is delightful with it without food if you love reds. I can drink red all summer long so for me this is always a win! Balance today as it is tomorrow it grows smoother and smoother, this never disappoint’s!
Le Colosse. The newbie, this was such a delight and surprise! With its merlot dominant fruit, mixed with cab sauv, cab franc and petit Verdot it has a drink now approachability with a lay me down promise of greatness. The greedy child in me wants to drink the bottle now but the wine freak in me whispers wait.... we shall see which wins!!!
D2.... what can one say about D2 that has not already been said. As blends go, this has been a go to across the country for those whom know about it. With is broad approachability and balance you can buy a case and literally enjoy a bottle a year and taste the subtitle yet definite changes in taste each year. A literal you can’t lose wine if you love red over all.
Minuit, which means midnight in French, eludes to the deep midnight color the wine presents. The flavors however, with a Malbec dominant drive followed by cab sauv, deliver flavor, structure and a dry finish, making it a great companion for drinking alone or paring with foods! Being a lover of Malbec it’s nice to see it featured in such a approachable way
Finally there is Chaleur Estate red. The quintessential Cab dominant blend backed with Merlot, cab franc and petit. This gem is light and fruity on the nose, teasing you into drinking without though, you you want to think with you drink this! It’s flavors play on the tongue the way “a midnight summers dream” plays with your minds.... taking you unexpected places you relish visiting. Like juice you would expect from a satyrs as he plays his flute, this juice slips you away to a magical place with its ease and approachability. When you spend the money you are not disappointed!
All in all, this tasting was an exquisite introduction to 2021. Happy Tasting Ya'll and "Make everything Better because you were there!"
