2017 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc
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Tasting notes
70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sémillon. A nice balance of savoury and spicy notes with fresh yellow and white stone fruits on the nose. Notes of saffron and accents of fresh pineapple lift from the glass. The palate is richer than the nose with dusty spice notes sprinkled over lightly dried pineapple and accents of dried hay. This is a more richly flavoured vintage that maintains its abundance of acidity, carrying the spice notes easily through the palate for a delicious wine. (ECB)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, the 2017 Chaleur Blanc has clean Sauvignon Blanc expressions of fresh lemons and soft grapefruit skin on the nose, with the Sémillon providing a lift, with delicate waxy florals and aromas of sauteed pineapple. Medium to full-bodied, fresh and escalated with seductive oak flavors on the palate, the wine is ripe, crisp and zesty, delivering pleasure and elegance. The wine lingers on the finish with soft oakiness and round complexity. There were 4,650 cases made.
Always one of the best whites in the vintage, the 2017 Chaleur Blanc delivers the goods and is a beautiful, Bordeaux Blanc look-alike that has classy lemon curd, citrus, mint, and green herb aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied and beautifully textured, it will keep for 4-5 years. The 2017 is primarily Sauvignon Blanc but includes 30% Semillon and was brought up in 60% new French oak.
(90% barrel-fermented, 60% new, then aged entirely in barrels for six months with batonnage ): Full, bright yellow. Aromas of nectarine, white peach, coconut, fig and spices, plus a whiff of pine forest. Concentrated, layered wine with stone fruit flavors complicated by a savory element. Really maintains its thickness and verve through the subtle, palate-staining finish. A wonderfully food-friendly, complex wine. (13.8% alcohol)