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 soils in the northerly vineyards are mainly over granite subsoils that follow on from those of the Hermitage hill. To the south the soils are both fluvial-glacial alluviums, with terraces of rolled stones from the old river bed, mixed with loess.
The climate has a southerly exposure in the hillside areas and is tempered by the Mistral wind.
“Le Clos” grapes are harvested at optimum maturity from this single vineyard. The winemaking is done in traditional open-topped concrete tanks, following a 2 day period of skin contact at low temperature. The fermentation follows at controlled temperatures from 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 last up to 20 days.
Maturation lasts for 10 to 14 months in oak barrels which have already held wine for 1 to 3 years.
The vine’s flowering in late June was already a sign that the weather pattern was unusual, and the maturing phase that followed was particularly slow. September’s weather nevertheless helped the bunches of Syrah, Viognier and Marsanne to attain remarkable aromatic intensity.
The whites taste very pure and their acidity levels will allow us to take them, at least partially, through malo-lactic fermentation.
Reds are showing exceptionally deep colour and remarkable tannic structure. There is just one downside to the picture: yields are very low across the board. The cold and wet spring weather that persisted during flowering resulted in pour fruit set (coulure) for all our Rhône varietals.
Lots of dark fruits (blackberries and cherries), smokiness and a touch meaty with bags of minerality. Medium to full-bodied, with nice concentration and structure – beautifully balanced.
Delicious with mixed grills such as marinated beef or chicken.
Crozes-Hermitage AOC
100% Syrah
Cork
Yes
Yes
