DeLille Chaleur Estate Red 2020

Winery notes:

"The 1982 Cabernet Sauvignon vines from Ciel du Cheval are once again the soul of this wine and responsible for its incredible richness. Marionberry, green peppercorn, fresh truffle and pomegranate seed are muddled with baking spices and warm oak undertones. Dubrul Vineyard Merlot (23%) provides fresh blueberry and Maraschino cherry notes while rounding out the mid-palate to create a seamless transition to a dense, pondering finish. With plenty of time to open up, there is everything to love about this effort. Cellaring 12+ years will help tame the tannins and bring along even more complexity."

Critical acclaim:

"95 points. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Chaleur Estate is firm, fresh and floral with notions of elegant red berries and oak tones on the nose. Full-bodied, tight and focused, the palate offers a clean frame of picturesque cherries and red plums while exuding finesse and precision. Balanced, complex and lively, the wine continues to evolve over the long-lingering, food-friendly finish. Only 7,272 bottles were made after the wine spent almost two years in all-new French oak barrels. Drink from 2024-2042." - Jeb Dunnuck

"95 points. Plenty of ripe blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, graphite, and lead pencil notes emerge from the 2020 Chaleur Estate, an ultra-classic, medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Petit Verdot. With good concentration, terrific purity, and building tannins, it should benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and have two decades of longevity." - Wine Advocate