Delas : Le Clos 2022

Tasting Notes and Characteristics of Delas' Le Clos 2022

Tasting

Colour
The glass reveals a deep ruby red hue, enhanced by delicate garnet highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of stewed black fruits, dominated by blackcurrant and blackberry. With aeration, subtle hints of leather and game enrich this complex palette.

Palate
Combining remarkable volume with fine delicacy, the palate offers a perfect balance. The tannins, ripe and well integrated, structure the whole without any harshness. The finish lingers pleasantly on flavourful notes of very ripe black cherries.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with grilled meats. It will be especially enhanced by a fine cut of beef, lamb, or dark-fleshed roasted poultry.

Service and storage

To reveal its full complexity, it is advisable to wait at least three years before tasting Le Clos 2022. For earlier consumption, decanting for one to three hours is recommended. The ideal serving temperature is between 17 and 18°C.

The Richness and Elegance of a Crozes-Hermitage Wine

The estate

Founded in 1835 by Charles Audibert and Philippe Delas, the house of Delas has established itself as a benchmark in the Rhône Valley. After joining the Roederer Collection in 1993, the estate underwent a major qualitative revival. Now led by Marc Hoellinger, the property continues to uphold a philosophy centred on the pure expression of its terroirs. Thanks to modernised infrastructure and a rigorous plot-by-plot approach, it crafts wines of remarkable precision, reflecting the uniqueness of its vineyard.

The vineyard

The wine comes from a historic 2.5-hectare plot recognised since 1857, located on the Chassis plain within the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. Enclosed by a stone wall, this terroir benefits from rich biodiversity and a westerly exposure on the oldest terraces bordering the river. The gentle slope and natural ventilation help preserve the freshness of the berries. The soils are divided between granitic subsoils to the north and fluvio-glacial alluvium mixed with rolled pebbles and loess to the south.

The vintage

2022 stands out as the driest year since 2011. Following a late budbreak, a mild spring accelerated the growing cycle, leading to an early harvest. A summer heatwave naturally limited yields while ensuring impeccable sanitary conditions and optimal concentration of sugars and phenolic compounds.

Winemaking and aging

The hand-harvested grapes undergo total destemming followed by a two-day cold maceration. Fermentation takes place in open concrete vats, with temperatures controlled between 28 and 30°C, accompanied by daily punching down and pumping over. The wine is then aged for 14 to 16 months, exclusively in one- to three-year-old used French oak barrels, with regular rackings to encourage oxygenation while preserving the identity of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Syrah.