Delas : Le Clos 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Delas Frères Le Clos 2023

Tasting

Colour

The Crozes-Hermitage "Le Clos" 2023 displays a garnet-purple colour of medium to fairly deep intensity, hinting at the concentration and youthfulness of this Syrah wine.

Nose

The nose is expressive, dominated by aromas of ripe dark fruit, blackberry and plum, interwoven with spicy notes of black pepper, subtle smoky and balsamic touches, and a hint of bay leaf that adds complexity to the whole.

Palate

On the palate, this wine reveals a medium to full-bodied structure, carried by slightly firm yet ripe tannins that frame a generous fruit core. Well-integrated freshness balances the whole, leading to a finish lifted by a spicy return of black pepper.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs readily with roasted or slow-cooked red meats, such as leg of lamb or beef daube, as well as poultry and full-flavoured feathered game. It also matches well with mushroom-based dishes or grilled dishes with smoky notes, and can be enjoyed with a cheese platter of pressed cheeses such as Comté or Saint-Nectaire.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Crozes-Hermitage "Le Clos" 2023 at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting can be beneficial to soften the tannins slightly and allow the wine's aromatic palette to express itself fully.

A Crozes-Hermitage from Delas Frères Shaped by the Chassis Terroir

The estate

Founded in 1870, when the Audibert and Delas families took over the Maison Junique based in Tournon-sur-Rhône, Delas Frères has established itself as a benchmark négociant house in the northern Rhône Valley. Part of the Louis Roederer group, it is now technically led by Jacques Grange, supported by Marco Beckmann and Clément Panigai. Delas Frères combines estate-owned vineyards in terroirs such as Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage with a firm commitment to revealing the identity of each individual plot.

The vineyard

The Crozes-Hermitage "Le Clos" comes from a plot of the same name, located in the Chassis area, on the left bank of the Rhône. This plain terroir lies on terraces of fluvio-glacial alluvium, a mix of rounded pebbles and loess, which offer good drainage and favour the ripening of Syrah. A predominantly southern exposure and the cooling influence of the Mistral contribute to the vineyard's healthy balance, where the harvest is carried out exclusively by hand, at full ripeness.

Vinification and ageing

The vinification of the Crozes-Hermitage "Le Clos" 2023 begins with a cold pre-fermentation maceration of around two days, followed by fermentation at a controlled temperature of around 28 to 30°C in open concrete tanks, with daily pumping over and punching down for about ten days. Total maceration can reach twenty days. The wine is then aged for fourteen to sixteen months in barrels that have previously held one to three wines, with regular rackings intended to soften the tannins.

Grape variety

This wine is made from 100% Syrah.