Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone Saint Esprit 2019 (750ml)

 

Rated 90 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Fresh and inviting, with more fruit and depth than many of its peers.  Offers a plum and cherry puree profile, laced with floral and red tea accents on the finish.  Drink now through 2022.

 

Delas Freres Cotes Du Rhone 2019

 

Appellation:  Red Côtes-du-Rhône

 

Tasting Notes

 

The Saint-Esprit’s deep color has a dark, plum-like hue.  The nose is classic syrah, with berry fruit, violet and licorice.  It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins, making it a unique wine in the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation.

 

Blend: 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache

 

Food & Wine Pairing

 

Saint-Esprit pairs well with Provençale-style cuisine, stuffed tomatoes and eggplant, mixed grills and barbecue.

 

Winemaking

 

The entire crop is destemmed.  Fermentation and maceration take place in closed vats for approximately 15 days.  Daily pumping over ensures the proper extraction.  Fermentation temperature is controlled, and kept at between 82°F and 86°F (28°C and 30°C).  After devatting, pressing and racking, malolactic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel vats.

 

Maturing

 

The wines are kept in vats to preserve fruit aromas.  They are racked regularly in order to allow their components to stabilize naturally.  The "Saint Esprit" cuvée is bottled after 8 months of ageing.

 

Vineyards

 

They cover about 41,200 hectares/101,764 acres (within 6 French "départements").

 

Climate

 

Mediterranean with a prevailing "Mistral" wind.  This harsh wind - both necessary and beneficial to the vines' development - is caused by the difference between the Southern and Northern Rhône's atmospheric pressures.  Highly seasonal rainfall, hot temperatures and abundant sunshine are also the characteristic of this region.

 

Average Production:  500,000 bottles (75 cl.) per year.  Grape Varieties : Syrah (majority) and Grenache.

 

 

La Maison Delas Frères

 
The celebrated Delas Frères wine company was founded back in 1835.  Since 1996,
the spirit and soul that contributed to its reputation for high quality wines have been
restored.
 
The company's new management has made important investments in the Saint-Jean-
de-Muzols production site near Tournon-sur-Rhône.
 
Its highly-motivated team is proud to play its part in the revival of the quality of this
venerable Rhône Valley wine company.  A specially designed vat-house for the
vinification of red wines, as well as a full restructuring of the ageing cellars, are
among the new quality measures at Delas, all aimed at perpetuating and enhancing the
expression of the Terroir.