2018 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, 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.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Currants, blueberries, chocolate orange, cloves and dried lavender on the nose. Itâs medium-to full-bodied with sleek, creamy tannins. Focused and balanced. A little reserved right now. 61% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 10% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Try from 2023.
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. 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 it’s 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, but there are no dogs in this lineup. The icing on the cake is that they’re generally made in decent quantities, especially their D2 release, which is a year-in, year-out terrific Bordeaux blend.