Instantly impressive, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Ciel is broad, focused and fruity, with layers of seductive complexity that continue to waft from the glass. Full-bodied, impressively layered and textured, the Cabernet offers profound pleasure that sings with harmony and unison of world-class wine. Gobs of dusty dark red fruit tones give way to a lively mineral tension before juicy spiced plum and blackberry reduction somersault across the almost unending finish. It’s a fantastic wine that proves Washington Cabernet deserves to be in the private collection of serious collectors worldwide. Just under 3,700 bottles were made after the wine rested for almost two years in 100% new French oak. This is worth seeking out.

Generously layered and slightly volatile at first, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Ciel blossoms in the glass with rigorous spinning, revealing its dark-fruited core with dusty essence and intoxicatingly floral array. Full-bodied, generous and powerful, the mouthfeel is lush and marked with a fine mineral tension before displaying a firm tannic edge. The wine continues to reveal layers of juiciness and spiciness before somersaulting into a blockbuster finish. I have no doubt that this wine will continue to please thirsty palates for more than two decades. Bravo!

Rich, round and ripe, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Ciel bursts from the glass with focus, finesse and precision. Aromas of juicy cherry, black plum and chocolate ganache explode out of the glass with cinnamon and nutmeg nuances. Silky-smooth and medium to full-bodied, the wine remains luxurious on the palate with a velvety mouthfeel, revealing layers of complexity with gobs of dark red and black fruit flavors, as the impeccably balanced mid-palate sashays with grace and finesse. The juicy Cabernet summersaults to a a long, winding and ever-evolving finish with a lasting impression of crunchy plum skin that persists for more than a minute. Run, don't walk to put some of this in your wine cellar. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Grand Ciel vineyard was fermented in stainless steel, then rested in all new French oak for 20 months before being bottled and left to age for another year and a half prior to release. Absolutely stunning!

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Ciel gives up aromas of subtle black and blue fruits on the nose—cassis, blackberry, dusty boysenberry and plum jam—over an elegant core of red and black spice, along with notes of black tea and a dusty rockiness. On the palate, the wine is clean and focused, with a complex fruit expression—precise and focused every step of the way. This represents one of Washington's best Cabernet bottlings. With only 250 cases produced, if you have not yet tried the Grand Ciel Cabernet from DeLille, this is worth the effort to seek some out.

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Ciel unwinds in the glass with a deep and brooding bouquet of ripe black cherries, plum preserve, candied peel and dark chocolate that represents an aromatic change of pace after the Bordeaux blends that preceded it. On the palate, it's full-bodied, massive and powerful, with a rich tannic chassis, concentrated fruit and juicy acids. Right now, however, the structure dominates to the extent that not much more than the wine's impressive outlines are discernible; and indeed, the sheer quantity of firm seed tannin does make me wonder about the wine's ultimate balance. I'm sure it will mellow with time, and I'd recommend cellaring for at least 5 or 6 years, but is such a tight structural corset really necessary?