DELAS FRÈRES SAINT ESPRIT CÔTES du RHÔNE 2022

This is a bargain priced, great drinking, impressively packaged, Syrah dominant Côtes du Rhône from the sunny South of France in a great vintage. The cuvée "Saint-Esprit" comes from a small valley which nestles in the northern part of the Ardèche. The vineyards are planted on granite, south-facing slopes near the villages of Saint-Julien and-Saint-Alban. Syrah (majority) and Grenache.​

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Its deep colour has a dark, plum-like hue. The nose is classically Syrah, with berry fruit, violet, liquorice. It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins, making it unique in the "Côtes-du-Rhône" category."

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, November 2024 (2022 Vintage)
"Richly fruited and inviting, the bouquet shows dark berry, star anise, game and assorted nut aromas. The palate delivers excellent weight and plump mouthfeel, well structured by fine-grained tannins, finishing persistent and flavoursome. At its best: now to 2030."

91/100 Wine Enthusiast (2022 Vintage)
"A compelling meld of fresh blackplum, dark-red-cherry, black-olive and lavender aromas fill the glass. The palate is straightforward and black-fruited, with supple tannins that supporting layers of licorice, cocoa and dried herbs."

Reviews for the 2021 vintage below…

90/100 Cameron Douglas MS, January 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Aromas and flavours of plums and red berries, there’s a classic granite and hard stone soil quality, a balanced use of oak and a mix of red flowers with a peppery spice quality. Medium+ weight on the palate, dry with a core of red berry and plum flavours laced with spice and mild wood tones. Balanced and well made with best drinking from 2023 through 2027+. This is a classically styled wine, dry and gently firm with many applications for use with food."