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 vineyard lies entirely on the commune of Cornas located on the right Rhône river bank. The soils are varied, with odd alluvium deposits on steep, shale slopes that are held up by dry stone walls.The climate is very sunny with south/southeast facing slopes.
All the grapes used in the “Chante-Perdrix” cuvée are picked by hand, plot by plot, at the time they reach their optimal maturity. The winemaking takes place in traditional, open-topped concrete tanks, after 3 days pre-fermentary skin contact at cool temperatures. The fermentation continues under computer controlled temperatures between 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.
This lasts for between 12 to 14 months in oak barrels. Regular racking brings enough oxygen to allow the tannins to mature.
The colour is an intense garnet red. In its youth, this wine has strong blackcurrant aromas. With time, the fruit aromas gradually fade, giving the way to hints of pepper and liquorice. The palate is structured and has the strongly-defined flavours that are typical from this “terroir”.
Mixed grills, wild mushrooms, game.
Wine Enthusiast
97 POINTS, EDITORS’ CHOICE
July 1, 2020, Anna Lee C. Iijima
“Whiffs of sun-scorched earth, charred brush and dried lilac persist from nose to finish in this irresistibly glossy Cornas. It’s seductive and smoky but remarkably pure in fruit, edged by ripe, penetrating tannins. Quite ready now it will continue to improve through 2030 and hold further.”
The Wine Advocate
92 POINTS
December 19, 2019, Joe Czerwinski
“As usual, the Delas Cornas is an elegant rendering of the appellation. The 2017 Cornas Chante Perdrix hints at violets and raspberries on the nose, then delivers more of the same on the medium to full-bodied palate. It’s silky and fine in texture, not a big, meaty style, but it still delivers plenty of pleasure. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
Jeb Dunnuck
91 POINTS
December 12, 2019, Jeb Dunnuck
“I loved the nose of the 2017 Cornas Chante Perdrix. It’s a medium-bodied, balanced, elegant Cornas with classic aromatics (violets, incense, black pepper, and dark fruits), silky tannins, and a seamless texture. It’s already drinking nicely yet should easily evolve for a decade.”
Wine Spectator
95 POINTS, WINE SPECTATOR INSIDER “HOT WINES”
October 30, 2019, James Molesworth
“Racy and chiseled in feel, with a vibrant chalky minerality running from start to finish, giving this bristling energy as red currant, damson plum, lilac and savory notes cruise through. The long finish delivers a piercing sanguine accent, and the minerality just won’t quit. Best from 2021 through 2040.”
Decanter
93 POINTS
October 31, 2018
“Sourced from various south-facing plots, all hand-picked and fermented in open-top concrete vats, then matured in barrel for 14 months before release. Always a ripe and oaky style, the 2017 is no different – there’s a rich concentration of blackberry and blackcurrant with a background of star anise, clove and incense. A real burst of fruit breaks free from the oak, and the finish is just a little pinched but should settle. Always seductive.”
Cornas AOC
100% Syrah
Cork
Yes
Yes
