Delas Domaine des Tourettes Hermitage 2017

Producer Information

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.

 

Vineyards

The Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes is the first wine to be produced by Delas Freres exclusively from the 8.5 hectares that are farmed on the famous hill that overlooks the town of Tain. This cuvée is a blend of wines from three separate plots: l’Ermite, le Sabot and the famous terroir named Les Bessards. This wine replaced the Marquise de la Tourette cuvée starting with the 2009 vintage.

The soils are a combination of granite with alluvial quaternary delta deposits, and Pliocene marl. This diversity explains the numerous names given to vineyard plots within the appellation: Bessards, Greffi eux, Méal, Roucoule, Beaumes, etc. The vineyards are south-facing and are protected from the north winds. The slopes are well exposed to the sun. The estate’s vineyards are all harvested by hand when the grapes achieve optimal maturity.

Winemaking

Vinification takes place in traditional, open-topped concrete tanks following two days of skin contact at cool temperatures. Maceration continues at controlled temperatures between 82°F and 86°F (28°C and 30°C). Cap punching and pumping over take place daily for about 10 days. The total fermentation/maceration period is about 20 days. After devatting and pressing the skins, maturation is done in French oak barrels. On each vintage, the notes of wood are the result of precise and variable proportion between new barrels and barrels which have already held one wine, and it is adapted according to each vintage tannic and tasting characteristics.

Tasting Note

The wine has a brilliant, deep red hue. The nose is powerful and complex, expressing blackberries, spices and leather. On the palate the wine is firm but silky, with a tightly-knit tannic structure that is the hallmark of wines that have a good future.

Food Pairing

Pair this wine with rare or medium-cooked games, marinated meats and spicy stews. We recommend opening this bottle between one and three hours before drinking.

Press

Wine Enthusiast

94 POINTS

July 1, 2020, Anna Lee C. Iijima

“This intensely ripe but vibrant Syrah highlights plump black-currant and blackberry flavors as well as delicate notes of toasted nut, smoke and cedar. Fine, feathery tannins and an ample fruit profile suggest an expression of Hermitage that’s approachable in youth but will continue to gain perfume and depth with age as well.”

The Wine Advocate

92 POINTS

December 19, 2019, Joe Czerwinski

“The full-bodied 2017 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes comes across as beefy and meaty, with dried spices and mocha nuances accenting those dominant notes. It’s already creamy textured and relatively lush on the palate—a Hermitage that may be consumed young or over the next 15 years. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”

Wine Spectator

93 POINTS

December 15, 2019, James Molesworth

“Ripe and juicy in feel, with a mix of blackberry, boysenberry and black currant fruit melded together, laced with bramble, licorice snap and singed alder notes. Tarry grip supports the finish but doesn’t intrude on the fruit. Almost approachable now, but there’s no rush. Best from 2020 through 2030.”

Jeb Dunnuck

93 POINTS

December 12, 2019, Jeb Dunnuck

“Lots of new saddle leather, cassis, graphite, and spice box notes emerge from the 2017 Hermitage Domaine Des Tourettes, a medium to full-bodied, balanced, classic Hermitage. With good acidity, moderate tannins, terrific purity, and a straight, focused texture, give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15 years or more.”

JamesSuckling.com

93 POINTS

October 12, 2019, James Suckling

“Fresh dry stones, boot polish, iodine and fragrant oak spice dress ripe red and dark plums, as well as blackberries, sitting in rather fresh mode. The palate has a succulent feel with a fleshy, spicy array of red plums and cherries. Smooth build of fine tannin here. Try from 2024.”

Vinous Media

93-94 POINTS

July 18, 2019, Josh Raynolds

“Vivid purple. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, incense and violet. A smoky mineral nuance builds as the wine opens up. Offers intense, mineral-laced black/blue fruit preserve and floral pastille flavors that are given focus and lift by an undercurrent of juicy acidity. Finishes sweet, seamless and very long, with building spice and smoky mineral notes adding energy.”

Decanter

93 POINTS

October 31, 2018

“Lieux-dits L’Ermite, Le Sabot and Les Bessards are combined in this wine, fermented in concrete then aged in new and one-year-old French oak barrels. There’s a touch of charcoal and fresh cigar among the brooding blackberry fruits. It’s medium- to full-bodied but really concentrated and vibrant, coating the palate in juicy fruit and fine, sweet tannins. The alcohol is a little raised, but overall this is a powerful, polished, energetic Hermitage.”

Hermitage AOC, France
Cork
Yes
Yes

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