One of the great boutique producers of Syrah not only in Washington but North America, Delmas was born by the watchful eyes of Mary and Steve Robertson who founded this winery more than a decade ago. Steve has a background in real estate development and business management and was previously in Napa before planting vines in his very special SJR Vineyard, in the Walla Walla Rocks District. If you have never been to this vineyard, it is a must visit for oenophiles and lovers of Walla Walla Syrah. Steve hit a home run when he hired Billo Naravane, MW, to serve as his winemaker. Billo has rather quietly been producing some of the best wines in Washington at his Rasa Vineyards outpost.
I have been gushing about his Delmas Syrah since I first blind tasted this wine back in 2015 and reviewed their 2013 Delmas, giving the wine 95 points. The new wine is the best Delmas release that I have tried as they continue to perfect this style of Rocks District Syrah that is unique from any wine made in the region. The 2017 Delmas Syrah (WWB, 97) is a head-turning wine that is amongst the best in the state. The range of this wine is exquisite, as is the mouthfeel and texture. I really adore this wine in its youth as this is a must-buy for any serious lover of new world Syrah. This is the first vintage of their new wine, ‘The Peddler,’ which is quite the different animal to the Delmas Syrah but is every bit as goods. A magnum-only wine, ’The Peddler,’ saw only new oak and has a hedonistic bent with a stunning array of aromatics and flavors. Learn more about these very special wines at https://delmaswines.com Here are the gorgeous new Delmas Syrahs.
2017 Delmas Syrah- A true heavyhitter, the 2017 Delmas Syrah is entirely sourced from their estate SJR Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA, deftly managed by Brooke Robertson. Crafted by superstar winemaker Billo Naravane, MW, the wine is a stunning blend of 91.5% Syrah with the reminder Viognier. Aged for 14 months in 60% new French oak (Troncais) prior to bottling, this needs about an hour of air exposure in order to evolve to its full unveiling. The nose is nothing short of intoxicating, yielding some insanely good range. Potpourri, Umami, pipe tobacco, cedar, and shades of cran-orange aromas all create an amazing effect in the glass. The heady aromas push you back to the glass for more. The texture its astoundingly good, giving off a sexy, silky edge. Red cherry candy, Umami, Hoisin sauce, Asian spice and guava with citrus rind accents as well as shades of black truffle with minerals and stony accents all complete this scintillating new wine. While remarkable in its youth, this will evolve well over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 97
2017 Delmas ‘The Peddler’ Syrah- This is the first vintage of this magnum-only wine. The 2017 ‘The Peddler’ Syrah is barrel select wine that was aged in entirely new French oak for fifteen months prior to bottling. The Syrah has 8.5% Viognier which was co-fermented, just as it was for the 2017 Delmas. The nose shows off the richness of the toasty oak with Hoisin sauce, kirsch compote, red rose petals and shades of Umami and horse manure that all collect momentum in the nose. With more air shades of orange rind and cigar ash also mingle into the fray. Once the attack the palate reveals a silky texture and generous mouthfeel, giving off a hedonistic edge. Umami, bacon fat, black tea, rose water and shades of Asian spice all come together marvelously in the glass. The freshness and richness imparted is simply gorgeous here, combining with a light stony character and copious minerals. Given more air, this beautiful Syrah gives off an even silkier texture. While remarkable in its youth, this outstanding new Rocks District Syrah will continue to evolve well over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 97