DeLille Cellars Doyenne Syrah

DeLille Cellars Doyenne Syrah is a Provence-inspired, Syrah-dominant red blend from Red Mountain, Washington, bottled at 14.5% ABV (750ml). The 2019 vintage earned 94 points from Wine Enthusiast critic Sean P. Sullivan, and the wine has scored between 91 and 94 points across major publications including Wine Advocate and Vinous. Modeled after the celebrated reds of Aix-en-Provence, this remains one of Washington State's most distinctive Rhône-style bottlings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Washington  |  Syrah-Dominant Blend  |  Winery: DeLille Cellars, Woodinville, WA

Production & Heritage

DeLille Cellars launched the Doyenne line with its first commercial vintage in 2003, after Executive Winemaker Chris Upchurch originally created the blend for his own wedding in 2001, drawing direct inspiration from the wines of Aix-en-Provence—particularly Domaine de Trévallon. The fruit is sourced primarily from the Red Mountain AVA and blended with Cabernet Sauvignon (and, in certain vintages such as 2021, Grenache). Grapes undergo a 24–36-hour cold soak before fermenting 12–16 days on skins with partial native yeast, then aging 20 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% of which are new.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark and brooding on first approach, with layers of boysenberry, violet, and exotic spice. Secondary notes of graphite, anise, and wood smoke emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, with luscious blackberry and raspberry fruit that builds through the mid-palate. Pomegranate, cassis, and espresso flavors develop alongside savory accents of black pepper, tapenade, and garrigue. The structure is firm yet seamless, with ripe tannins holding everything in balance.

Finish: Long and layered, with lingering cocoa, smoked pepper, and dried cranberry. French oak cooperage contributes subtle nutmeg and caraway on the fade.

How to Serve Doyenne Syrah

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass to let the aromatic complexity fully unfold. Decanting for 30–60 minutes opens the brooding dark fruit and savory layers considerably. This wine also rewards patient cellaring; well-stored bottles should develop additional complexity over 8–12 years from vintage, as the firm tannin structure and concentrated Red Mountain fruit provide a solid foundation for evolution.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Washington wine collector or Rhône enthusiast
• Centerpiece pour at a dinner featuring grilled or braised lamb
• Cellaring for long-term development and future special occasions
• Introducing Rhône-style drinkers to Red Mountain AVA terroir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Doyenne Syrah taste like? Doyenne Syrah is full-bodied and richly layered, with dominant flavors of boysenberry, blackberry, and cassis complemented by espresso, black pepper, and garrigue. The wine balances luscious dark fruit with savory, almost meaty complexity and a long cocoa-tinged finish.

How does Doyenne Syrah compare to Domaine de Trévallon? DeLille Cellars has acknowledged that Doyenne is modeled after the Provence reds of Domaine de Trévallon, sharing a similar Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon blend structure. Where Trévallon leans toward Provençal herbs and limestone minerality, Doyenne brings the riper, more concentrated dark fruit characteristic of Red Mountain's warmer climate.

Is Doyenne Syrah good for cellaring? Yes—the combination of firm tannic structure, 20 months of French oak aging, and concentrated Red Mountain fruit gives Doyenne Syrah strong aging potential. Well-stored bottles should evolve gracefully over a decade or more from vintage.

Where is Doyenne Syrah made? Doyenne Syrah is produced by DeLille Cellars, headquartered in Woodinville, Washington. The fruit is sourced primarily from the Red Mountain AVA within the larger Columbia Valley, one of Washington's warmest and most acclaimed grape-growing appellations.

What foods pair well with Doyenne Syrah? Grilled lamb chops highlight the wine's peppery, herbal character. Braised short ribs mirror its savory depth and richness. Aged Gruyère or Comté complements the smoky oak notes. Olive tapenade and charcuterie echo the Provençal inspiration. Dark chocolate desserts work alongside the espresso and cocoa tones on the finish.

What sizes does Doyenne Syrah come in? DeLille Cellars Doyenne Syrah is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Doyenne Syrah worth the price? Doyenne Syrah positions as a premium Washington red, and its consistent critical scores of 91–94 points across Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, and Vinous place it among the state's top-tier Syrah-based bottlings. For drinkers seeking a Rhône-inspired blend with genuine complexity and cellaring potential, it represents strong value within its premium price tier.

Why Doyenne Syrah?

Few Washington wines trace their origin to a winemaker's wedding, but Chris Upchurch's Provence-inspired creation has evolved into one of the state's most compelling Rhône-style reds since its first commercial vintage in 2003. The 20-month aging program in 100% French oak—40% new—adds structural refinement without masking the vivid Red Mountain fruit. With the 2019 vintage earning 94 points from Wine Enthusiast and the 2013 scoring 93 from both Wine Advocate and Vinous, Doyenne has proven its consistency across two decades of production. This is a wine built around a specific vision—Provençal elegance filtered through Washington's most powerful terroir.