2023 Metier by DeLille Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley 750 ml

DeLille Cellars’ obsession with quality is legendary. 

Robert Parker called them “the Lafite Rothschild of Washington State.” The winery has made Wine & Spirits’ Top 100 Wineries list six out of the last seven years—nothing but the best leaves their doors.

That includes the 2023 Metier Sauvignon Blanc. Full of buzzy citrus, dried mango, and candied lime flavors, all buttressed by wet stones and an undercurrent of seductive citrus, it’s a seriously impressive and delicious bottle.

DeLille sources the grapes for Metier from some of the Columbia Valley’s best vineyards, thanks to relationships developed over decades as one of Washington’s best producers. The high-desert climate, where the sun beats down during the day but temperatures drop quickly at night, creates a flawless combination of succulent fruit and vibrant acidity.

Rural Washington is a perfect environment to grow Sauvignon Blanc, but without Napa-level infrastructure or a glitzy tourism campaign, the price of land—and therefore grapes—remains reasonable compared to similar quality sites in California. Factor that in with a crack winemaking team who stir the lees of the fermented wine to build texture and enhance its complexity with the discreet use of just 8% new oak, and you’ve got the recipe for a stunning value.

Parker compared DeLille to Lafite because their wines reflect the complexity and grace of the Bordeaux icon. The attention to detail and thoughtfulness that brought Chris Upchurch acclaim—and left him with wine-stained hands at his own nuptials—shows through in this mineral-tinged white wine.