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.
In 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 climate is tempered continental with dry, hot summers and regular rainfall during other seasons.
The grapes for the “Seigneur de Maugiron” cuvée are picked by hand, plot by plot, at peak maturity. Fermentation takes place in traditional open-topped concrete tanks, following two days of pre-fermentary cold maceration. The maceration process continues 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 with total vatting time of up to 20 days. The wine is aged for 14 to 16 months, in new or one year old oak casks. The barrels are topped up regularly.
The color is deep crimson. The powerful yet subtle nose of Côte-Rôtie “Seigneur de Maugiron” has black currant, red currant, licorice and smoky aromas, underscored with light woody notes. The palate shows a tightly knit tannic framework. The wine is well-balanced with a silky texture. It unites fine concentration with great delicacy.
This wine pairs well with fine meats, roast beef, water games, truffles and spicy stews. It is recommended to open the bottle one to three hours before serving and decanted if the wine has been laid down for more than five years.
Vinous Media
94 POINTS
September 2019, Josh Raynolds
“Deep vivid ruby. Sexy, mineral-accented aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, candied flowers, olive and exotic spices show outstanding clarity and building smokiness. Sweet, silky and energetic on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry compote and floral pastille flavors that show a suave blend of heft and vibrancy. A smoky mineral nuance drives the impressively long, gently tannic finish, which leaves behind a suave violet pastille note.”
Wine Enthusiast
95 POINTS, CELLAR SELECTION
March 1, 2019, Anna Lee C. Iijima
“Perfumed notes of violet and wild thyme introduce the penetrating black-cherry and plum flavors of this wine. It’s bristling and vibrant, darkened by shades of bramble and garrigue. Concentrated and held upright by fine, firm tannins, it’s already lovely but should improve through 2035 and hold further.”
Jeb Dunnuck
93+ POINTS
December 20, 2018, Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2016 Côte Rôtie Seigneur De Maugiron is all Syrah and spent 16 months in new and once-used barrels. It offers a more four-squared profile compared to the la Landonne and gives up tons of black fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and ground pepper, with hints of violets and flowers emerging with time in the glass. Nicely textured, with good acidity and moderate tannins, it needs short-term cellaring but will keep for 15+ years. It’s another beautiful wine from this team.”
Wine Spectator
93 POINTS
November 30, 2018, James Molesworth
“Sleek and refined, with a very focused beam of cassis and cherry preserves laced with subtle tea, bay leaf and floral notes. Bright acidity enhances the iron-tinged minerality on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,833 cases made.”
The Wine Advocate
91 POINTS
October 31, 2018, Joe Czerwinski
“Mocha, black olive and plum notes appear on the nose of the 2016 Cote Rotie Seigneur de Maugiron. It’s medium to full-bodied, with a rich, plush feel and a long, velvety finish. It doesn’t have the complexity of the La Landonne, but it still makes for a very satisfying glass of Côte Rôtie to drink over the next decade.”
JamesSuckling.com
93 POINTS
August 29, 2018, James Suckling
“Plenty of exotic spice and fragrant allure. Bright, red cherries and berries with baking spices and meaty notes. The palate is supple, elegant and packed with sweetly spiced fruit flavors. Fine tannins. Elegant and very approachable. Drink or hold.”
Côte-Rôtie AOC
100% Syrah
Cork
Yes
Yes
