Delas : François de Tournon 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the François de Tournon 2021 from Delas

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep, concentrated ruby red hue.

Nose

The nose reveals delicate notes of blackcurrant accompanied by spicy nuances. Aromas of black fruit, violet and pepper enrich the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine seduces with its remarkable softness and velvety character. The beautiful tannic structure stands out for its finesse and silky texture. The whole offers a harmonious balance and good aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This Saint-Joseph is the ideal accompaniment to grilled red meats, beef, braised lamb, feathered game and a selection of cheeses.

Service and aging

It is recommended to decant the François de Tournon 2021 approximately one hour before serving. The ideal serving temperature is between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and until approximately 2026.

An elegant and refined Saint-Joseph from the Northern Rhône Valley

The estate

Founded in 1835 by Charles Audibert and Philippe Delas in Tournon-sur-Rhône, Maison Delas Frères has established itself today as a key reference in the Rhône Valley. Since 1993, the estate has belonged to the Rouzaud family, also owners of the prestigious Maison Louis Roederer. Under the direction of Marc Hoellinger since January 2023, Delas manages thirty hectares of vines spread across the Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph appellations. The House is distinguished by its plot-by-plot approach favoring the expression of terroirs and by the practice of non-certified organic viticulture since 2013. Delas embodies the excellence of Northern Rhône wines throughout the world.

The vineyard

The François de Tournon comes from carefully selected plots in the Saint-Joseph appellation, located in the communes of Vion, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, Mauves and Tournon. The vines benefit from a south-south-east exposure on light soils composed of schist and gneiss resting on a granite bedrock. This geological composition gives the wine its subtle minerality and refined tannic structure. The Saint-Joseph appellation extends over fifty kilometers along the right bank of the Rhône, offering remarkable geological coherence despite its geographical spread.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in the Northern Rhône Valley proved particularly demanding. After a mild winter, spring was marked by frost episodes and cool temperatures. The summer saw weather instability with variable conditions that required increased vigilance during the harvest. Despite these climatic challenges, the vintage produced wines of beautiful elegance, favoring finesse and freshness rather than concentration and power.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the François de Tournon 2021 are harvested manually at optimal maturity, terroir by terroir. After complete destemming, the berries are placed in open concrete vats for a two-day cold maceration. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature between 28 and 30°C, accompanied by daily punching down and pumping over for about ten days. The total vatting period can extend up to twenty days depending on the vintage conditions. Malolactic fermentation takes place in concrete vats. Aging continues for ten to fourteen months in French oak barrels (one to three wines old), completed by a portion kept in concrete vats to preserve aromatic freshness. The final blend is made before bottling.

Grape variety

100% Syrah