Lot presentation

Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos Delas Frères 2005

The wine

Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos de Delas comes from a single parcel of grapes exclusively from the Clos vineyard located on the Chassis plain (left bank of the Rhône). It is only produced in noteworthy vintages and is aged for ten to fourteen months in one to three-year-old oak pièces. Unlike its counterparts which focus on concentration and power, le Clos amazes us all; it abounds in finesse with an unexpected Burgundy-like structure. Just like a Pinot Noir, it showcases a jagged, delicate substance and the Syrah is almost forgotten. Its power and elegance make it really stand out in the appellation.

About the Producer Delas Frères

Founded in 1835, Maison Delas Frères is a part of a very exclusive circle of the finest producers in the Rhône Valley in terms of both quality and variety of appellations. The domaine was bought by Champagne Deutz in 1977 and then by Maison Roederer in 1993 but the spirit of the wines remains unchanged and faithful to their terroir. In 1996 Fabrice Rosset (Champagne Deutz) was appointed to manage the domaine and soon realised the great potential of the vineyard. He hired Jacques Grange, a young oenologue who had already proved his worth at some of the finest Rhône domaines. Thanks to him, the quality of wines at Delas has improved hugely and the domaine has invested accordingly: the winery has been entirely refurbished and 7,000 feet of vines have been replanted. It spans over 30 hectares of which 10 are in Hermitage, 18 in Crozes-Hermitage and 2 in Saint-Joseph. Delas Frères is also a negoçiant and offers wines from other appellations, such as Cornas, Côte-Rôtie et Condrieu.

Detailed characteristics