Holiday Wines

2001 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate ($50) -- Washington. This is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from 8 different vineyards, vinified separately, aged in 100% new French barrels for 20 months, then blended together and aged an additional 5 months. Grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted.

I picked this wine after a Holiday Wine Event to finish off the evening with assorted reps and hangers-on. DeLille is a fine producer and at $50 I was expecting a lot.

The wine was very big and jumbled and might improve with more bottle age. A quick decant softened the wine up a bit, but not entirely. Live and learn.