Delas Freres Haute Pierre Chateauneuf du Pape 2014

Producer Information

Founded 160 years ago in the heart of the northern Côtes du Rhône, Delas Freres today crafts world class wines from both northern and southern Rhône.

Tending the steep sloping vineyards, which total some 30 hectares of vines, the team adapt their growing practices to each plot of vines to let the terroir of the Rhône shine through in the wines.

Crafted by winemaker Jacques Grange (who is originally from Burgundy), the wines from Delas Freres epitomise finesse and elegance. Recent vintages from the vineyards of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Ventoux have bee lauded in the press for their intensity of flavour and excellent value.

Vineyards

Soils are very stony with various depths, mainly consisting of large quartz stones mixed with red, sandy clay.

Chateauneuf du Pape is the driest area of the Cotes du Rhone where the Mistral is vitally important to grape ripening. 2,800 hours of sunshine a year are reflected by the large stones on the surface of the soil.

Winemaking

Grapes are destemmed and fermented into concrete vats followed by 8-10 days of maceration. The wine is aged for a period of 8-14 months in 60 hectolitre oak tuns.

Vintage Information

A rainy winter followed by a dry, warm spring gave good water reserves combined with high temperatures which resulted in early bud burst and a quick and healthy start to the vegetative cycle. In mid-May, flowering was followed by exceptional fruit set with almost every flower bearing fruit. July and August were cooler and the rain returned, in small amounts, but every weekend. Although not enough to disrupt the vegetative cycle, it was enough to worry the wine growers. The end of summer was sunny and windy with ideal weather for healthy vines with optimum ripeness levels. This ensured perfect conditions for harvesting. Delas was one of the last to harvest, particularly in the Côte-Rôtie (between the 22nd and the 24th of September) ensuring good phenolic ripeness.

2014 was an excellent year for the hillside vineyard parcels which produced low yields of outstanding quality.

Tasting Note

Strong spicy aromas that reveal a rich, powerful body that is delicate, yet has a tightly-knit tanninc framework. On the palate, the wine is rich and unctuous, revealing intense licqorice-like flavors.

Food Pairing

Perfect served with traditional "provencale" stews.

Press

91 Points Wine Spectator
On the rustic side, with noticeable bay, leather and pepper notes amid crushed red currant and plum fruit flavors. Lots of tobacco and singed chestnut accents line the finish. For the old-school crowd. Best from 2017 through 2025.

Chateauneuf du Pape AOC
Grenache: 90%
Syrah: 10%

Cork
Yes
Yes

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