2021 Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit 750ml

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Delas Freres is a winery of tradition and renewal. Founded 160 years ago in the heart of the northern Ctes du Rhne. The winery enjoyed the dynamism of its original founders and their heirs and more recently, the renewed energy of the Lallier-Deutz family, owners of champagne house, Champagne Deutz. Delas Freres and Champagne Deutz were acquired by the Champagne House of Louis Roederer in 1993. Andre Lallier retired from daily winery duties in 1996, and Fabrice Rosset, a 20-year executive with Roederer, has taken the helm at both Delas and Deutz.

Delas wines are crafted by a panel of experts headed by winemaker Jacques Grange. Together, the team makes wines that have been heralded for their intensity of flavour and excellent value. Delas maintains a philosophy of preserving the authentic characteristics of each appellation through separate vinification of the fruit from each vineyard.

This is a firm that has surged ahead in quality over the last 15 years, and their southern Rhone selections are increasingly impressive, including some excellent bargains.Robert Parker

The cuve Saint-Esprit comes from a small valley which nestles in the northern part of the Ardche. The vineyards are planted on granite, south-facing slopes near the villages of Saint-Julien and Saint-Alban.

Mediterranean climate with a prevailing Mistral wind. This harsh wind both necessary and beneficial to the vines development is caused by the difference between the Southern and Northern Rhnes atmospheric pressures. Highly seasonal rainfall, hot temperatures and abundant sunshine are also the characteristic of this region.

Blend of mostly Syrah and Grenache. The entire crop is destemmed. Fermentation and maceration take place in closed vats for approximately 15 days. Daily pumping over ensures the proper extraction. Fermentation temperature is controlled, and kept at between 82F and 86F (28C and 30C). After devatting, pressing and racking, malolactic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel vats. The wines are kept in vats to preserve fruit aromas. They are racked regularly in order to allow their components to stabilise naturally.

The Saint Esprit cuve is bottled after 8 months of ageing. Its deep colour has a dark, plum-like hue. The nose is classically Syrah, with berry fruit, violet, liquorice. It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins, making it unique in the Ctes-du-Rhne category.

Critic tasting note: (2022 vintage) “A compelling meld of fresh black-plum, dark-red-cherry, black-olive and lavender aromas fill the glass. The palate is straightforward and black-fruited, with supple tannins that supporting layers of licorice, cocoa and dried herbs. This should make for a wonderful accompaniment to a juicy cheeseburger or dry-rubbed barbecue.” – 91/100 Wine Enthusiast