Lot presentation

Côtes-du-Rhône Saint Esprit Delas Frères 1998

The wine

While Maison Delas owns around thirty hectares of vines in the northern Rhône, the wines from the south of the region come from its trading activities. Such is the case of this blend of Grenache and Syrah, a fine example of a successful Côtes du Rhône. The 100% destalked grapes are vinified in closed vats for two weeks, with daily must pump overs to ensure good extraction. Once pressed and settled, the wine is transferred to vats where it is aged for eight months.
This deep-coloured cuvée exudes aromatic freshness and fruity notes. The nose reveals aromas of black fruit, violets and liquorice, complemented by hints of leather and spices, clearly reflecting the influence of the Syrah grape. Supple and delicate on the palate, this suave, full-bodied wine is framed by delightful mellow tannins. A well-balanced wine, to be enjoyed in its youth, served with stuffed tomatoes or grilled meats.

About the Producer Delas Frères

Founded in 1835, Maison Delas Frères is a part of a very exclusive circle of the finest producers in the Rhône Valley in terms of both quality and variety of appellations. The domaine was bought by Champagne Deutz in 1977 and then by Maison Roederer in 1993 but the spirit of the wines remains unchanged and faithful to their terroir. In 1996 Fabrice Rosset (Champagne Deutz) was appointed to manage the domaine and soon realised the great potential of the vineyard. He hired Jacques Grange, a young oenologue who had already proved his worth at some of the finest Rhône domaines. Thanks to him, the quality of wines at Delas has improved hugely and the domaine has invested accordingly: the winery has been entirely refurbished and 7,000 feet of vines have been replanted. It spans over 30 hectares of which 10 are in Hermitage, 18 in Crozes-Hermitage and 2 in Saint-Joseph. Delas Frères is also a negoçiant and offers wines from other appellations, such as Cornas, Côte-Rôtie et Condrieu.