Comptoir des Millésimes

Today we'd like to introduce you to one of our partner estates: Domaine Delas Frères.

Delas Frères is one of the best-known Rhône wine producers in a large number of appellations. They produce exceptional wines in the Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage appellations in the northern Rhône (Septentrional). They are also known for producing some of the finest wines in the region. They also have one of the longest histories in the appellation.

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History of the domain :  

Delas was founded in 1835 when Charles Audibert and Philippe Delas bought a wine trading company. They acquired a wine trading company. The company enjoyed phenomenal success after the Second World War, to the point where its wines were sold in America. In 1977, the Deutz Champagne House took over the business, which changed the way the company was run and developed. Roederer bought the house from Delas and Deutz in 1993, enabling the Rhone-Alpes company to return to a healthy equilibrium. He then entrusted Fabrice Rosset with the task of redirecting the company. This led to a number of changes, including a new winery, a new cellar, the restoration of low walls in the vineyards and the replanting of 7,000 vines. They have also acquired new vines in the Crozes Hermitage appellation. This brought the total vineyard area to 30 hectares. In 1997, thanks to Fabrice Rosset, Jacques Granges joined Delas Frères as Technical Director. This new collaboration was to prove decisive for the estate and its wines. There are many aspects to this job, such as changes in viticulture, renovation of low walls and replacement of numerous vines.

 

The estate today : 

In April 2006, they continued to grow and strengthen their vineyard by adopting two vineyards of 6 to 12 hectares in the Crozes-Hermitage area, at a place called Les Chassis. The new appropriation of the whole vineyard exploited by the house is 30 hectares. The estate's wine has been christened "Domaine des Grands Chemins", heralding a new phase in the Delas brothers' ownership. Fabrice Rosset is further developing this strategy by resorting to strict AOC Hermitage sourcing. The Delas brothers showcase Domaine des Tourettes, part of their famous "Hermitage Les Bessards" parcel wine list. These wines are produced exclusively from the vineyards worked by the house. In 2005, Claire Darnaud-Mckerrow joined the team, along with her colleague Jacques Grange. They focus on technical aspects such as oxygenation and bottling.

They are back with the production of the plot-based white wine "le Saint Epine" in the AOC St Joseph in the fabulous 2014 vintage. Their motto is "to place man and wine at the center of the terroir". To mark the 180th anniversary of the Maison, the Deutz brothers and the Delas group set about conquering a property in Tain-L'hermitage. This property will showcase the values that the Delas brothers uphold, creating a place where the art of sharing will be at the forefront.

They have replaced the old steel vats with better containers (85 hl), which are small concrete vats. They allow for better yields with batches of grapes and a better temperature. 2015 heralds a renewal of the Hermitage hillside.

 

The great vintages of Domaine Delas Frères : 

  • Côte-Rôtie Seigneur de Maugiron : 

This Côte-Rôtie appellation covers 3 communes: Saint-Cyr sur Rhône, Ampuis and Tupins-Semons on the right bank of the Rhône. The soils are located in the northern part of Côte-Brune, with steep iron micaschist terraces, covered by a schistous arena (Arzel), and in Côte-Blonde with a varied geology, predominantly Gneiss and Granite in the extreme south of the appellation. The climate is continental, moderate, dry and hot in summer, with regular rainfall in other seasons. This is one of the oldest vineyards in France, and was highly developed by the Romans. During the Middle Ages, it was said that the Seigneur de Maugiron divided his property between two daughters, one blond and the other brown; hence the appellation Côte-Brune and Côte Blanche. It is characterized by a blend of grapes from Côte-Rôtie and Côte-Blonde, with 80% of Syrah and authorized Viognier from 10 to 20 %. Vinification is carried out in the traditional way in concrete vats after two days of pre-fermentation cold maceration. Fermentation continues at a controlled temperature of 28 to 30 degrees. The wine is aged for 14 to 16 months, half in new barrels and half in one-year-old barrels. The barrels are racked regularly. The wine is characterized by aromas of blackcurrant, redcurrant and licorice, supported by a slight woodiness.

 

  • Côte-Rôtie La Landonne : 

This cuvée, born in 1997, comes exclusively from the La Landonne vineyard. Production is by hand, but at optimum temperature. Malolactic pre-presuration is carried out in oak barrels. This cuvée is fragrant and floral, with notes of violets, herbs, pepper and rosemary coming together in a basket of aromas and flavors that are supported by layers of silky-textured raspberries. On the palate, it's creamy and savory, with a long, delicate finish.

 

  • Hermitage white domaine des tourettes : 

 

 

This vineyard extends over 3 communes in the Drône region: Tain l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage. The soils are composed of granitic arena, covered with micaschist and gneiss, as well as alluvial round pebbles. This diversity explains the presence of the Bessards, Greffeux, Meals etc. lieux-dits in the appellation. The climate is sheltered from the northern winds, and most of the hillsides face south, with plenty of sunshine. It has a surface area of 134 ha with an annual production of 3,365 hl and an authorized yield of 40hl/ha. The grape varieties are 10 % Rousanne and 90 % Marsanne.

This cuvée is made from 3 terroirs: l'Ermite, le Sabot and la Tourette. Vinification is carried out twice by hand. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in new oak barrels. For a better finish, malolactic fermentation is sometimes only partially carried out. The wines are matured for 12 months on lees, with regular stirring of the lees. The wine has a pale yellow color with green highlights, but also a brightness and intensity. The nose is marked by floral notes, supported by a perfume of candied citrus, complemented by fine woody notes such as vanilla and toasted brioche. On the palate, it is fresh and mineral.

 

  • Hermitage rouge des Tourettes :

 

 

The grape variety is 100% Syrah. This cuvée brings together Ermite, Sabot and the prestigious terroir of Les Bessards. Vinification is carried out by hand, in the traditional way, in open concrete vats after two days of pre-fermentation cold maceration at temperatures ranging from 28 to 30 degrees Celsius. This can last up to 20 days. Aged in oak barrels. To the eye, its color is a sober, brilliant red, with a nose of black fruits, spices and leather. The palate is firm but silky.

 

  • Hermitage les Bessards : 

The grape varieties are mainly Syrah, but also 15 % of Marsanne and Rousanne. The grapes come from the old plots of land at Les Bessards. Vinification is carried out by hand in the traditional way, in open concrete vats after two days of cold pre-fermentation maceration at a temperature ranging from 28 to 30 degrees Celsius. The wine is aged for ten days in oak barrels. To the eye, it is a sober, brilliant, deep red, with a nose of black fruits and violets. The palate is fruity and extremely concentrated. This wine is tannic, dense, rich and perfectly balanced.

 

 

  • St Joseph "St Epine : 

It stretches from Chavanay in the north to Guilherand in the south, over some fifty kilometers on the right bank of the Rhône, twenty-three communes in the Ardèche and three in the Loire. The soils are light, composed of Schist and Gneiss on granitic bedrock. The climate is continental and moderate, with hot, dry summers and regular rainfall in the other seasons. Soils face south and southeast. This wine sold well in the 16th century and was already appreciated by all the kings of France. The area under production is 1,095 ha and annual production is 40,000 hl with an authorized yield of 40hl/ha. The wine is aged for 14 to 16 months in new barrels, with regular topping-up. Its color is a deep ruby with purple highlights.

We hope you have enjoyed this article. You can discover our articles on the other partner estates and order your Delas Frères fine wines on the website :

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