DeLille is now open to the masses.

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been MIA. I hope those of you who went to Passport weekend enjoyed yourselves and were safe. I know that at my stomping grounds, Brian Carter, it was controlled chaos.... but the masses were well behaved. To that, I say thank you!



OK, so now to the winery... DeLille. It's now open to the public. I suggest you go!



So as my little car bottomed up the precarious hill, I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore Toto! The tasting room looks like a house you would find in the hills of Napa Valley. You have to open a big, heavy door to get in and then walk up the stairs. I can totally see being intimidated by this. I was a bit hesitant to even go in. But, luckily, I knew one of the pourers... Karen. Whew.



The fee for a tasting is 15 bucks, which by far may be the costliest I have witnessed thus far in Woodinville. I know it's not as steep as Napa fees may be, but still!



Ok, off to the wines:

Doyenne Rousanne 07: This was one of the two whites I tried. A nice light straw color, but wasn't wowed by this Rousanne. In fact, in looking over my notes, both whites basically have nothing. Which is not really a good sign.

So I will move on to the reds!

Signature Syrah (Doyenne): Perfect inky color that I LOVE in a Syrah. Most of the grapes come from the Red Mountain, which turns out a lovely syrah. Perfect steak wine.
Syrah Grand Ciel Vineyard: So you ever try a wine, and go... "hmm... they KNOW this is good". This is one of those. They charge a whopping 75 bucks a bottle for this wine. Its a perfect syrah, not too "spicy" perfectly smooth and balanced. It will hold up in the wine cellar for a few years.
D2: This beauty looks like it may be sold out now. So if you see a bottle of the 2006 vintage somewhere... pick it up! Get this... its 52% merlot, and I like it. Then 38% Cab Sav, 7% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Its a fantastic blend, and at 35 dollars, a great value for DeLille. Has a wonderful earthy nose, deep purple color, and smooth on the palette. Let it decant for an hour or so to open up those wonderful flavors before serving.

So all in all, DeLille is a good winery to go visit. However, I noticed a few customers not be allowed in at four thirty, when they closed at five. I kept my mouth shut as they mumbled about the staff being snobby. If you are reading this DeLille, take note.