Clos Saint George is a place apart. A monopole of Maison Delas Frères, this historic property was built in 1857 and was producing wine even before the creation of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation in 1937. Enclosed within its walls, the Clos shelters a landscaped park, fruit trees, and 2.5 hectares of planted vines. The terroir lies on deep alluvial terraces, rich in rounded pebbles and clay, which give the wines a dense structure, marked freshness, and a highly refined aromatic palette. One of the finest expressions of Syrah, combining structural power with an aromatic palette of fruit and flowers. A wine with astonishing interplay of strength and finesse, crafted for long ageing.

The harvest is carried out by hand, after which the grapes are destemmed and gravity-fed into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Each parcel is vinified separately in order to preserve the identity of each terroir within the Clos. Extractions are conducted gently, through moderate pump-overs and punchdowns, to preserve the Syrah’s natural elegance and avoid any tannic harshness. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels, where a 15-month ageing period begins, with 30% new oak, with the aim of enhancing the cuvée’s ageing potential. A final blending is carried out in stainless steel vats, where the wine rests for a further six months to ensure optimal integration of structure and ageing.

The color is deep, ruby with garnet reflections. The nose develops aromas of stewed dark fruits—blackcurrant and blackberry. On the palate, the wine reveals, in perfect balance, great delicacy, volume, and smoothness. The finish ends with notes of very ripe black cherries.

After a rainy end to 2022, an exceptionally dry winter and early spring led to early and uniform budburst. The wetter late spring, with no mistral winds, was offset by favorable flowering conditions, accelerating the vegetative cycle. Veraison progressed steadily in late July. The August heatwave hastened ripening in parts of the vineyard, sometimes resulting in heterogeneity between parcels.

This wine pairs well with roast beef fillet, smoked duck breast, Provençal beef stew, sautéed mushrooms.