2003 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc

Community Tasting Notes (7) Avg Score: 88.6 points

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  3/31/2008 - vanpe003 wrote: 89 Points

  Opens up with a bit of char/tar funk on the nose, which blows off after 10-15 minutes. Replaced with deep, sweet aromas. The same tar carries to the palate where it is joined by relatively extracted and creamy fruit, where the semillon seems to dominate. I suspect the "tar" comes from oak, as it is reminiscent to some other heavily oaked whites I've tried. That said, this doesn't have the direct bit of oak that one might expect. Very thick in comparison to the Haut Smith Lafitte Blanc also opened this evening. I prefer the subtlety of the Haut Smith Lafitte. However, and this is a big one, the local distributor is apparently severing ties with this winery, and as a result the bottle is available for $10. At that price, it's a steal. GV's idea of pairing with blackened fish is spot on. Update: Most of the bottle sat in the fridge for 10 DAYS. I was about to pour it out when instead I thought I'd give it a quick sniff. To my surprise, not only has this held up, but in fact it's better than it was the day I opened it. Smoother, without the rough tar noted earlier. I'd agree with an earlier reviewer...this isn't close to being over the hill.

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  2/15/2008 - Orzechowski wrote:

  great!

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  6/16/2007 - Bud Fox wrote:

  The CT community indicates that this is possibly past its prime. Not yet! We opened this with low hopes and found it incredibly pleasant. Pears on the nose and palate make this very enjoyable. The oak is by no means overdone. It still has a crisp finish that is quite refreshing. Very nice.

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  1/16/2007 - tbjohnston wrote: 90 Points

  An elegant, well-made wine, with floral notes, doing credit to the growers and vintners.

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  12/25/2006 - EricBe wrote: 91 Points

  Delicious as always

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