Delas : Les Bessards 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for Les Bessards 2020 from Delas

Tasting

Appearance

The wine presents a deep, brilliant red color of great visual intensity.

Nose

The nose reveals great class with aromas of black fruit, notably blackcurrant and blackberry, accompanied by floral notes of violet. With aeration, nuances of olive, smoked meat, and vanilla gradually unfold.

Palate

On the palate, the wine offers beautiful fruity concentration and stands out for its particularly dense tannic structure. The balance is remarkable, with integrated and silky tannins that confer an elegant texture. The finish is persistent.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with red meats such as beef or lamb, as well as game like wild boar, venison, or game birds. Spicy preparations and stewed dishes in sauce are also excellent accompaniments. Aged hard cheeses harmoniously complete the tasting.

Service and storage

It is recommended to decant Les Bessards 2020 between one and three hours before serving to allow the wine to fully open up. The ideal serving temperature is between 16 and 18°C. This cuvée requires a minimum of three years of cellaring before revealing its full complexity and can evolve favorably until around 2035 - 2040.

An exceptional red Hermitage from a legendary Rhône Valley terroir

The estate

Founded in 1835 in Tournon-sur-Rhône, Maison Delas is an essential reference in the Northern Rhône Valley. Since 1996, driven by Fabrice Rosset and Technical Director Jacques Grange, the House has undergone a remarkable transformation with over eight million euros invested in its infrastructure. Today managed by Marc Hoellinger and part of the Roederer Collection since 1993, Delas farms 30 hectares of estate vineyards, including 10 hectares in the Hermitage appellation. The House's philosophy is based on a plot-by-plot approach to the vineyard and an environmental commitment materialized by the High Environmental Value certification and an ongoing conversion to organic farming.

The vineyard

This wine comes from the Les Bessards plot, located in the heart of the slopes of Hermitage on a steep hillside benefiting from exceptional south-west exposure. Delas owns approximately 10 hectares in this area, representing the oldest section of this prestigious terroir. The soils consist of granitic sand mixed with quaternary alluvial deposits and Pliocene marls, giving the wine its characteristic mineral complexity. This plot is historically recognized as one of the main terroirs for red wines of the Hermitage appellation.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage benefited from contrasting weather conditions. After a mild winter, spring was freezing before giving way to a prolonged heatwave from mid-May to mid-August, marked by exceptional sunshine and periods of drought. The saving rains at the end of August allowed for optimal ripening of the grapes, revealing berries of remarkable generosity and balance.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Les Bessards 2020 are harvested manually at optimal maturity. After two days of cold maceration, fermentation takes place in open concrete tanks at a controlled temperature between 28 and 30°C. Daily punching down and pumping over are carried out for about ten days, with a total maceration period of up to twenty days. Aging continues for twelve to fourteen months in oak barrels, blending new and one-year-old barrels, with regular racking to encourage the maturation of the tannins.

Grape variety

Syrah