DeLille Cellars 2016 25th Vintage D2 Red Wine, Columbia Valley $45

New Jersey native Chris Upchurch, mentored early on by the late David Lake, helped established the reputation of DeLille Cellars as a Bordeaux-inspired house with D2, starting with the inaugural vintage of 1992. And along the way, DeLille has stayed true to Merlot as the foundation for D2. Sustaining D2 is a constellation of storied Washington state vineyards that includes Boushey, Ciel du Cheval, DuBrul, Klipsun, Harrison Hill and Red Willow are joined by estate plantings on Red Mountain – Grand Ciel and Upchurch. Back in Woodinville, the blend of Merlot (59%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot spent 18 months in an all-French oak program, with 55% of the barrels new. The results are enticing aromas of cherry pie and blueberry milkshake with dusty herbs in the background. Beveled tannins allow for a mouthfilling blend of black cherry and blackberry that’s capped by raspberry juice. It is complex and enjoyable while still crafted for cellaring, a remarkable achievement for a wine that has overtaken Chaleur Estate as the flagship wine at DeLille. Last fall, prior to its commercial release, this 2016 earned a double gold at the Jefferson Cup, a judging orchestrated by Doug Frost, the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier. In January, it earned a gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. And this spring during Washington Wine Month, folks can purchase the 25th Vintage D2 online at a 10 percent discount during March.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 11,700 cases

Alcohol: 14%

Winery website

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