Founded 185 years ago in the heart of the northersn Côtes du Rhône, Delas Freres today crafts world class wines from both the northern and southern Rhone.
Tending the steep sloping vineyards, which total some 30ha 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.
This appellation, which corresponds to the former “Coteaux du Tricastin” appellation from the 2010 vintage ownards, and covers 2,200 hectares/5,500 acres, and involves 22 communes on the left bank of the Rhône, running from La Baume-de-Transit in the south, via Saint-Paul-trois-Châteaux, to Granges-Gontardes in the north.
The soils are made up of very stony, old alluviums and sandy-soiled slopes, at the limit of the Mediterranean climate.
All the grapes are destemmed, and the wine-making takes place then in closed tanks, over a 2 weeks period. Extraction is made by daily pumping over. Fermentation temperatures are controlled and maintained between 28°C and 30°C. After pressing and racking, malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks.
Good rainfall during the winter helped build up water reserves, which was much needed as temperatures warmed up and there was hardly any rainfall from Spring until mid-June. A devastating hailstorm hit Crozes-Hermitage, and to lesser extent parts of St Joseph, on June 15th – the like of which had not been seen since 1952. July and August continued to be hot, with a little rain which helped to sustain the vines to the end of vintage, with a warm and sunny September. By harvest time, grape health was immaculate and quantities were normal to good (except in Crozes which was impacted by a hailstorm reducing quantities up to 35%). The berries picked were small and concentrated with thick skins but ripe tannins, resulting in glorious wines with aromatic perfume and wonderful fruit and silky texture.
The colour shows an elegant, ruby-red hue. The aromas are delicate, dominated by red berries, such as wild strawberries and raspberries. In the mouth this wine is supple and seductive on the palate, light, easy to drink, with a deliciously fruity and fresh finish.
The perfect match to barbecued meat, cold cuts, bacon and sausage dishes.
Grignan-Les-Adhemar AOC
Grenache: 80%
Syrah: 20%
Cork
Yes
Yes
