Today we share one of the outstanding houses in the Northern Rhone. Delas was founded back in 1835. Although the Delas family has been making wine since 1835 in the Rhône Valley, it was not until 1924 that they took the current name of the estate. In 1993, the Rouzaud family, owners of Louis Roederer, acquired both Delas Frères and Champagne Deutz. Since 1996, the Rouzaud family has made important investments in the Saint-Jean-de-Muzols production site near Tournon-sur-Rhône. Over time they have modernized their production facility and cellars.
Delas now makes a huge range of wines all the way from the Ventoux in southern France, as well as Chateauneuf du Pape but they are best known for their wines from Cote Rotie and Hermitage.
I love the new lineup, coming from the 2023 vintage. Check out the 2023 Delas ‘La Landonne’ Cornas (OB, 97) which is nervy and dense with amazing flavor range. Learn more about these incredible wines at https://www.delas.com/en/ and here are my reviews of the exceptional new Delas wines.
2023 Delas ‘Ligne de Crete’ Hermitage- The 2023 ‘Ligne de Crete’ comes from this site set at 320 to 325 meters (~1,066 feet) at the western end and highest crest of the Hermitage hill. Soils are shallow and composed of granite, with vines at this site from 50 to 90 years of age. Blood orange zest and sanguine notes combine with soy sauce and black olive tapenade on the nose. The palate is lush and refined with terrific texture and mouth-watering acidity. Gorgeous now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 96
2023 Delas ‘Seigneur de Maugiron’ Cote Rotie- The 2023 ‘Seigneur de Maugiron’ comes from exceedingly steep slopes, with grades as intense as 60%. Stored in roughly 20% new French oak for 18 months, this delivers smoke, dark currants, tar and tobacco leaf on the nose with crushed wet gravel. The palate is dense and delicious with good freshness and verve, showing medium-bodied dark fruits with iodine notes. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2023 Delas ‘La Landonne’ Cote-Rotie- Sourced from this famed location, the 2023 Delas ‘La Landonne’ Cote-Rotie was stored in used French oak for 21 months before bottling. Once on the nose this shows off cloves, beef drippings, creme de cassis, creosote and shades of wild blackberry pie all enter the nose. The palate is refined and elegant with its opulent texture and impeccable balance. This is just a joy to consume now and will provide drinking enjoyment for decades to come. Drink 2026-2043- 97