Delas Frères Côtes-du-Rhône St. Esprit Rouge
Rhône, France
Vintage:2021 (Current)
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Reviews
The New Wine Review
91 Points
November 2023, Anna Lee C. Iijima
“A Syrah-dominant blend augmented by Grenache, this perfumed Côtes du Rhône is redolent of violets and blueberries. While luscious in concentration, it’s brightly balanced in acidity too, offsetting flavors of black plum and blackberry with twists of sour-cherry acidity. A supple wine with chalky, persistent tannins that’s ready to drink now.”
Wine Spectator
89 Points, Best Values
October 15, 2023, Kristen Bieler
“A well-crafted red, with bitter cherry and plum coursing alongside earthy undertones of licorice root and singed alder. Fresh and vivid, with black pepper, anise and menthol lining the mesquite-kissed finish. Syrah and Grenache. Drink now.”
View From the Cellar
90 Points
September 2023, John Gilman
“The 2021 Côtes-du-Rhône “Saint Esprit” bottling from Maison Delas is composed from a blend of sixty percent syrah and forty percent grenache, with the wine coming in at fourteen percent alcohol in this vintage. It is fermented and raised in stainless steel tank. The wine offers up a complex bouquet of red and black raspberries, roasted meats, granitic soil tones, pepper, just a hint of garrigue and a topnote of bonfire. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with a good chassis of ripe tannin, fine focus and a long, complex and very nicely balanced finish. This is tasty already, but has the underlying structure to cellar for a few years and improve with further bottle age. Good juice. 2023-2040.”
JamesSuckling.com
90 Points
April 27, 2023, Stuart Pigott
“A very typical Côtes du Rhône red with full red fruit and plenty of baking spice. Full body and a warm, yet gently dry mouthfeel, in spite of the challenging vintage. Good length and excellent harmony at the finish. A cuvee based on grenache with syrah and other traditional grapes. Drink now.”
Overview
The Côtes-du-Rhône Saint Esprit is made from a blend of syrah and grenache grapes, which come from a small village in the Ardèche region. The vineyard’s southern exposure on steep granite hillsides provides the best growing conditions for the vines.
The climate is Mediterranean and bears the stamp of the “mistral” wind. This strong wind results from a difference in atmospheric pressures between the northern and southern parts of the Rhône valley. It is beneficial to the vine's growth. The region is also marked by seasonal rains, and hot, exceptionally sunny weather in the summer months.
Winemaking
Out of respect for its northern Rhône roots, the syrah sets the tone and tempers the sunny southern grenache. All the grapes are de-stemmed and fermentation and maceration take place in closed vats for approximately 15 days. Daily pumping over ensures proper extraction.
Fermentation temperature is controlled between 82°F and 86°F. After de-vatting, pressing and racking, malolactic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel vats. 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 eight months of aging.
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.
Food Pairing
Saint-Esprit pairs well with Provençale-style cuisine, stuffed tomatoes and eggplant, mixed grills and barbecue.
Technical Information
Varietals: Approximately 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache
Soil Composition: Granite