Originally founded by Chris Upchurch, Jay A. Soloff, Greg Lill, and his father Charles Lill, DeLille has 3 decades of experience in producing excellent Bordeaux-style blends. Their focus on the Red Mountain AVA, and blending varietals together, produces wine that is complex, structured, and bigger than its individual components alone. The D2 was one of their first wines that proved that Washington could create powerful old world styled, bordeaux blends. I fell in love with DeLille after discovering the D2; If you're a wine expert, it's a cliche, but I'm not ashamed of that! If you're new to DeLille, try it!
2019 Le Colosse
100% Merlot. Yakima Valley. Chocolate and berry on the nose, sweet spice and oak. Smooth on the palate with the same, finishing with nice bright acid and bing cherry. Nice contrast and progression from start to finish. $65. 93 points.
2020 Doyenne
60% Syrah 40% Cab Sauv. Columbia Valley. Pleasant warm aromas of dark berries and toasted oak. Progression from smooth dark fruits, blueberries and mocha, then developing into oak, leather, and chalky tannins. Can't wait to see what happens with time, or give it a long decant. $50. 94 points.
2020 Minuit
72% Malbec 28 % Cab Sauv. Yakima Valley. Dark fruit and cedar nose. On the palate, it begins with delicious juicy bramble fruit that accelerates to a structured bigger cab sauv. Overall nice balance, and great sipping. $60. 95 points.
2020 Four Flags
Blend of Cab Sauv from four Red Mountain Vineyards - Grand Ciel, Upchurch, Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun. Nice bold cab, dark fruit blueberries, vanilla with a nice crips bright acid finish. Structured well, and held up to cheese. $75. 95 points.
2020 Shaw Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
A big cab with vibrant red fruit with surprisingly well integrated tannins. Absolutely incredible! $85. 96 points.
2019 Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon
Red mountain at its best, with all the dark fruit, cassis, and sweet spices, cinnamon and vanilla. Tannins are well integrated and resolved already. Chocolate and tobacco notes. Incredible treat. $160. 97 points.
DeLille produces some incredible Bordeaux style blends, no doubt. The Minuit is ready to drink, and I went back a vintage and purchased the 2019 Minuit, although the 2020 Minuit would have been a great choice as well. The 2020 Shaw Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is becoming approachable, and the 2019 Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon shows well already!
