DeLille Cellars D2 2012

The notable dark black-purple color suggests a concentrated and ripe vintage. With perfume-scented blueberries, cassis, cherries, raspberries, and dried lavender, the nose is enticing. There is also wonderful oak and fruit integration displaying notes of cassis, red plums, tart cherries, cocoa nibs, cedar, and Herbs de Provence. Mouthwatering, ripe tannins give way to a long and dramatic finish reinforcing a rich and complete D2 that will give satisfaction for years to come.

50% Merlot, 42.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1.8% Petit Verdot. D2 is DeLille's way of paying homage to the Bordeaux tradition of making "deuxieme," or second wine. As tradition, it represents an abbreviation for their second wine from DeLille Cellars. And at the same time, D2 is also the name of the grand route du vin, or wine road, that travels through the historic chateau region of Bordeaux. All of their cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc grapes are "handpicked," from some of the oldest and most venerated vineyards in Washington State. DeLille hand sorts before crushing, and uses only the very best berry clusters. Their vineyard lots are kept seperate and aged for 20 months in 100% new barrels of French oak. Each of these lots are respected wines in their own right. Yet during their blending trials, some lots may not be a benefit in the delicate tuning of Chaleur Estate. DeLille takes full advantage of these quality wines by using them to hand fashion the distinctive taste of D2.