Delas Frères Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes Blanc

Rhône, France

Vintage:2023 (Current)

2020 (Past) | 2021 (Past) |

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Delas Frères Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes Blanc 2023
  • JS 97
  • WA 96+
  • JD 96

Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points May 2025, Jeb Dunnuck

Just about all Marsanne and vinified and aged in 50% new barrels with malo blocked, the 2023 Hermitage Domaine Des Tourettes Blanc has a sensational bouquet of fresh quince, peach, white flowers, and crushed stone. Coming from the lower portion of the Bessards and the Le Grandes Vignes lieux-dits, it has medium to full-bodied richness, a concentrated yet ripe style, integrated acidity, and a great finish. Drink 2025-2034.

JamesSuckling.com 97 Points April 2025, Stuart Pigott

This great white Hermitage has terrific concentration and mineral energy on the medium- to full-bodied palate. The aromas of Mirabelle plums and fresh pineapple plus a hint of vanilla occupy the foreground, but behind them is a great stony intensity that powers the extremely long finish. A delicate touch of bitterness completes the compelling picture. From two plots, one at the bottom of Les Bessards with quite deep soil, the other on the highest point of Hermitage with a shallow and stony granitic soil. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate 96+ Points March 2025, Yohan Castaing

In comparison to the 2022, the 2023 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes Blanc is less introverted and more energetic at this stage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of spring blossoms, ripe pear, white fruits and spices mingled with delicate notes of flowers with aeration, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, rather rich and muscular yet elegant and fresh, concluding with a long, sapid and saline finish enhanced by gastronomic bitterness. Pure and elegant, this is a sumptuous rendition of this Hermitage hill, perfectly crafted by Jacques Grange and his team.

Overview

The Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes is the first wine to be produced by Delas Frères exclusively from the 8.5 hectares that are farmed on the famous hill that overlooks the town of Tain. This wine replaced the Marquise de la Tourette cuvée starting with the 2009 vintage.

The Hermitage appellation is one of the greatest in the northern Rhône Valley. About 320 acres of vines cover the region’s steep slopes, which enjoy an excellent southern exposure. The sun warms the hill from dawn till dusk, and during the night the granitic soil radiates the day’s heat. Devoted primarily to the Syrah grape, the region also produces white wines that are grown where the topsoil has more clay content.

This cuvée is a blend from three different terroirs: L'Ermite, le Sabot and La Tourette, with an average production of around 5,000 bottles per year.

Winemaking

The harvest is carried out by hand in two stages. The juice is pressed by separating the free-run wine and the press wine. After a light racking, the must is put into barrel (new barrels, or used previously for one or two vintages) in order for the alcoholic fermentation to take place. With the aim of perserving the wine's freshness on the finish, malolactic fermentation is sometimes carried out only partially.

The wines are fermented in barrel for 9 to 12 months, on their lees, with the lees regularly stirred up. Two months before bottling the wine is blended, after which it is stelled and racked into a tank so that the different elements have time to become balanced and harmonious before going into bottle.

Tasting Notes

Pale yellow with green tints. The hue is bright with good density. On the nose the wine shows floral notes, underpinned by candied citrus fruit fragrances. These are complimented by fine oaky notes, such as vanilla and toasted brioche. Its powerful character shows on the palate. Concentrated and opulent, with a perfectly balanced structure, this Hermitage has beautiful freshness and a good mineral character, giving it great aromatic length.

Harvest Notes

After a very dry start to the year, spring 2023 was marked by heavy rains and a lack of mistral winds from late April. Flowering went well, but the August heatwave caused uneven ripening. The summer was also punctuated by storms, occasionally with hail.

Food Pairing

This wine pairs well with cheese, white meats such as chicken with morilles mushrooms or quail with truffles, as well as fish such as grilled sea bass with citrus fruit.

Technical Information

Varietals: 95% Marsanne, 5% Roussanne

Aging: 9 to 12 months in barrel with regular stirring of the lees