Delas Winery

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It has become quite commonplace to remind everyone that the best wines are more the result of work in the vineyards than of the winemaker's talents, however impressive these may be.

And those who work in the winery and cellars read more...have humbly gone along with that.

But 2008 has underscored the necessity for true balance and complementarity between vineyard and cellar work.

The growing season was not an easy one this year. Exceptionally high rainfall (650 mm up to the end of August) made for a lot of work in the vineyards, and imposed some limits on what we could expect. Fungal diseases that we thought were now limited to less favourable climates than the northern Rhône valley returned to our hillsides, locally causing considerable losses in crop.

This also slowed down the maturation process, and, in some parts of the DELAS FRERES estate, veraison of grapes only completed around August 20th. This was the case, for example, in plots like Combe Clos, part of Domaine des Grands Chemins, the firm's latest acquisition.

The first week of September will be remembered by all. A series of sudden, violent storms caused considerable damage, with very heavy rainfall (350 mm in the week). About 1500 cubic metres of soil were washed off the Hermitage hill, and numerous retaining terrace walls crumbled on our Domaine des Tourettes. The grapes were thouroughly washed, but luckily were not damaged as there was no hail and the berries did not burst.

The fear of more storms with heavy rain motivated some growers to harvest at minimal levels of potential alcohol.

This is where the winemaker had to step in firmly in order to calm things down and encourage the growers who bring in the grapes to wait. The fact of waiting longer for harvest, coupled with severe sorting of grapes, further reduced yields that were already low. The quantities brought in were below 25 hectolitres per hectare in our Hermitage estate Domaine des Tourettes, and 32 hectolitres per hectare at our Domaine des Grands Chemins, producing Crozes Hermitage red. Winemaking techniques can correct a certain number of deficiencies in the raw material, but there is no way of compensating for insufficient maturity.

So harvest was very late this year. The first grapes (for white Crozes Hermitage) were picked on September 17th, and the last (for Cornas, and the Saint-Pierre vineyard) went into the tanks on October 11th.

Taking such risks enabled DELAS FRERES to obtain good natural levels of alcohol, around 12.5°. This will facilitate winemaking choices and the production of wines that show good balance and remain true to their origins.

Inevitably, maturity levels reached their highest in the oldest vines of Domaine des Tourettes, on the part of the hillside called « Bessard ». Here our syrah grapes produced potential alcohol levels of over 13°. Wine-making and ageing will be aimed at preserving as much fruit flavours as possible, as well as encouraging suavity in the texture of the wines. Use of oak will be even more sparing than usual.    (hide)

dmcker wrote in the forum topic: Hello Hello - what are you serving for Thanksgiving

November 2009

dmcker

Am in Tokyo for several years now, so tend to view this holiday with particular ... Cotes du Rhone from either Delas or Perrin & Fils--want to lay down the CdP, anyway....). Dessert to be pumpkin pie, persimmon...

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ptf205 reviewed Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit Delas 2007:

November 2009

ptf205

Nice, smooth, good fruit, bit of spice.

Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit Delas 2007

Starting at $11^.29 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Gregory Dal Piaz wrote in the forum topic: Chateauneuf-du-pape recommendations

September 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

Ok, so back to work eh? --Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Croix de Bois - not ... years. Jaboulet, along with Delas, used to make some of the best Cornas. They bought fruit from all the producer who now bottle their own....

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paultakeda reviewed Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit 2006:

September 2009

paultakeda

Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit 2006

Starting at $11^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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JelaDragoljevic modified this page:

Sep 19

JelaDragoljevic

JelaDragoljevic added a photo for Delas.

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JelaDragoljevic modified this page:

Sep 19

JelaDragoljevic

JelaDragoljevic wrote a new description for Delas.

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Gregory Dal Piaz

September 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

Ratatouille Meets its Match A Cotes du Rhone to pair with this ... and the wine pairing, a 2007 Delas Cotes du Rhone that I stocked up on for events like this, was a perfect partner! While I  recommend serving a...

dmcker wrote in the forum topic: Chateauneuf-du-pape recommendations

August 2009

dmcker

After posting in the 'Under $13' thread, I realized what I said there might be ... 50% grenache $10.99 2007 Delas "St-Esprit" Côtes du Rhône 75% syrah, 25% grenache $9.99 The 2007 vintage is so lovely that I'll find it...

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dmcker wrote in the forum topic: What is your favorite wine for under $13 bucks?

August 2009

dmcker

Also very good: 2007 Perrin & Fils Côtes du Rhône-Villages 50% syrah, 50% ... 50% grenache $10.99 2007 Delas "St-Esprit" Côtes du Rhône 75% syrah, 25% grenache $9.99 The 2007 vintage is so lovely that...

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Solongo reviewed Delas Crozes-Hermitage le Clos 1999:

August 2009

Solongo

Delas Crozes-Hermitage le Clos 1999

Starting at $16^.11 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Cheese and Grapes reviewed Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit Delas 2007:

August 2009

Cheese and Grapes

Will be great in a couple of years.

Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit Delas 2007

Starting at $11^.29 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Ventoux09 reviewed Delas Freres Cotes du Ventoux 2006:

July 2009

Ventoux09

Fresh and smooth with a soft, light comfortable aftertaste. Full disclosure: my first experience of this delightful wine was at the base of Mt Ventoux after having climbed it on my bicycle during the '09 L'Etape du Tour!

Delas Freres Cotes du Ventoux 2006

Starting at $8^.20 Snoothrank: 3/5

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