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.
The northern part of the vineyard the Côte Brune consists of extremely steep, terraced slopes of ferruginous mica schists which are covered with schist sand (arzel).The Côte Blonde has a varied geology with gneiss and granite predominating at the most southern side of the appellation.
The grapes used in the “La Landonne” cuvée are hand picked at optimum maturity. Fermentation takes place in traditional open-topped concrete tanks, after three days of cold maceration. Before fermentation, the maceration process is conducted under controlled temperatures of 82°F to 86°F (28°C to 30°C). Daily cap pushing down and pumping over are carried out for about 10 days. The total vatting time can be up to 20 days.
The wine is aged for 14 to 16 months in new or one year old oak casks.
In terms of the flowering, it took place two to three weeks later than in 2015, which ultimately corresponds to a typical year. The first stage of flowering took place in sunny conditions, whereas the second stage unfortunately took place in heavy rain. By the end of summer the vineyards had returned to a perfectly healthy state and ripening went well, particularly after a beneficial rainy spell in early September.
The wine‘s deep color is underscored by plummy hues. A complex nose shows deep, fruity aromas with hints of licorice and roasted coffee. Endowed with a dense and silky tannic structure, this is a full, fleshy wine that provides an ample and generous palate. Its lasting finish speaks of considerable ageing potential.
This wine pairs wonderfully with fine meats, roasted beef, water games, truffles and spicy stews. The bottle should be opened 1 to 3 hours before drinking. This wine needs at least 3 years cellaring before it can open up its complexity. In such case it is strongly recommended to decant before serving.
The Wine Advocate
95 POINTS
December 19, 2019, Joe Czerwinski
“Bottled just two weeks prior to my visit, the 2017 Cote Rotie La Landonne shows more raspberry and blueberry fruit than most La Landonnes, adding those delectable nuances to more typical mocha and roasted meat notes. Medium to full-bodied, it’s lush, creamy and long, with up to two decades of aging potential. It’s complete and elegant without being showy, just lovely stuff. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
Jeb Dunnuck
97 POINTS
December 12, 2019, Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2017 Côte Rôtie La Landonne is a candidate for the wine of the vintage and offers everything you could want from Côte Rôtie. Revealing a deep purple color as well as a gorgeous perfume of black raspberries, blackberries, toasted spice, violets, and spring flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, no hard edges, and ample yet sweet tannins. This remarkable effort has loads of richness and intensity yet stays weightless and elegant. As I wrote in the barrel reviews, it’s atypically charming and forward, yet it’s going to nevertheless cruise in cool cellars for upwards of two decades given its balance.”
Wine Spectator
96 POINTS, INSIDER WEEKLY HOT WINE
November 20, 2019, James Molesworth
“Very well-built, with sleek and clearly defined cassis and blackberry fruit racing along, supported by a smoldering cast iron note and flanked by dark tobacco and fresh bay leaf hints. The long, mouthwatering finish features a white pepper echo swirling around as the fruit and minerality meld. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
JamesSuckling.com
94 POINTS
October 12, 2019, James Suckling
“Dark stones, graphite, sarsaparilla and black pepper, as well as a swathe of attractive spices and red plums. Black cherries, too. The palate has a very sleek and muscular feel with a smoothly delivered build of tannin and a spicy, elegant edge. 100% syrah. Try from 2025.”
Vinous Media
94-95 POINTS
July 18, 2019, Josh Raynolds
“Deep, bright-rimmed ruby. Expansive black/blue fruit, licorice, violet, espresso and exotic spice scents pick up a smoky mineral quality as the wine opens up. Offers bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that are lifted by a core of juicy acidity. A Moroccan spice note appears on the back half. The strikingly long, sweet finish displays youthful tannic grip and lingering suggestions of licorice and candied flowers.”
Decanter
94 POINTS
October 31, 2018
“Only made in top years, the first vintage of this wine was 1997. It’s fermented in concrete then aged for 16 months in new or 1-year-old barriques. The 2017 is dark, spicy and brooding, with star-anise notes running through the damson and berry fruit. The palate is full-bodied, with a slight sweetness to the fruit, hefty ripe tannins and considerable cola oak. It’s concentrated, ripe, intense and structured, with a long, fresh and spicy finish.”
Côte-Rôtie AOC
100% Syrah
Cork
Yes
Yes
