Syrah
3x75cl * 15.5% ABV * Hermitage, Northern Rhone, France
Delas Frères, founded in 1835, is a historic Rhone Valley winery based in Tain-l’Hermitage and forms part of the esteemed Roederer Collection. Today, the wines are crafted by winemaker Jacques Grange (who is originally from Burgundy).
The 2018 vintage in Hermitage was exceptional, with a warm and dry growing season balanced by timely rains that allowed the grapes to achieve perfect ripeness. The grapes were then hand harvested, with each lieu-dit vinified separately. The wine is also matured for 12-14m in oak barrels. This vintage is noted for its powerful structure and longevity, with this wine still showing beautifully today.
On the nose, there are aromas of blackberries and violets, with concentrated fruit and dense tannins on the palate. The wine would pair brilliantly with red meats, game, and stew. We suggest decanting the wine for an hour before drinking.
Drink now to 2040.
'Boasting classic Les Bessards notes of sun-warmed cassis and crushed stone, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards has turned out to be a magnificent wine—a close rival to the potentially perfect 2015. Full-bodied and velvety, concentrated and tannic, overflowing with notes of grilled plums, grilled meat and black olives, it's all topped off by a forever finish that remains fresh and cleansing, courtesy of lingering salted-licorice flavors and the texture of finely ground stone dust. Try a bottle after 2025, if you can wait that long. 2025 - 2040' 98pts, Joe Czerwinski for Wine Advocate (May 2021)
'A stunning Hermitage in every sense, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards comes from the steep, broken granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit on Hermitage Hill. Revealing a deep purple/violet color, it has a gorgeous nose of crème de cassis, scorched earth, violets, pepper, and a liquid rock-like minerality. It’s full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with background oak, flawless balance, ripe yet present tannins, and a great, great finish. It's not a massive Hermitage (especially by this cuvée’s standards in the past) yet has gorgeous purity of fruit and an incredible sense of class. Give bottles 4-5 years (it offers pleasure even today) and it should keep for 30+ years or more.' 97pts, Jeb Dunnuck (November 2020)
This wine is on special offer by the case (3x75cl) on a ship to order basis. It may take up to a few weeks for the stock to arrive. Do get in touch for a more specific ETA.