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.
Vinous Media: 93 POINTS
September 2019, Josh Raynolds
“Dark purple. Dark berry preserve, licorice, incense, olive and exotic spice scents are accompanied by a building woodsmoke note. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering spice-tinged bitter cherry, blueberry and violet pastille flavors supported by juicy acidity. The floral note carries through a very long, dark-fruit-driven finish, and gently chewy tannins add shape and grip.”
Jeb Dunnuck: 90 POINTS
December 20, 2018, Jeb Dunnuck
“Moving to the 2016s from bottle, the saturated purple-colored 2016 Cornas Chante Perdrix offers a searing bouquet of white pepper, black and blue fruits, violets, and hints of bacon fat in its medium-bodied, concentrated, yet elegant style. With terrific purity and supple tannins, it’s going to benefit from just short-term cellaring and is ideal for drinking through 2026.”
Wine Spectator: 94 POINTS
October 3, 2018, James Molesworth
“This lets a core of warm plum sauce, dark loganberry and singed anise flavors ooze out, while violet, white pepper, bay leaf and dark olive notes provide the frame. A mouthwatering mineral edge weaves throughout. Best from 2020 through 2035.”
JamesSuckling.com: 92-93 POINTS
August 29, 2018, James Suckling
“Super-peppery Cornas with ample, ripe, black cherries and berries, delivered in a cloak of white and black pepper, as well as dark, toasted spices. Super-tight and defined tannins here. Long and juicy. Barrel sample.”
Cornas AOC
100% Syrah
Cork
Yes
Yes
