Delas : Sainte Epine 2019

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Sainte-Épine 2019 from Delas

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance reveals a deep ruby red hue with purple highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals aromas of blackberries and blueberries, accompanied by spicy notes evoking pepper and Moroccan spices. Mineral and woody nuances complete this complex bouquet, while a floral dimension of violet gradually unveils itself. Upon aeration, touches of leather, graphite, and olive enrich the aromatic expression.

Palate

On the palate, the wine shows itself to be juicy and energetic, offering flavors of Boysenberries, candied cherries, and black plums. The texture is concentrated and silky, with fine, satiny tannins that bring structure and elegance. The balance is perfect between the richness of the fruit, the mineral freshness, and the integrated acidity. The finish reveals itself to be long and persistent, marked by floral, mineral, and smoky accents.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal accompaniment to marinated red meats in sauce, grilled meats, game, and dishes with green peppers. It also pairs very well with all types of cheese.

Service and cellaring

The Sainte-Épine 2019 can be tasted now but will gain complexity with time. It is recommended to decant it one to three hours before serving if consumed in its youth. This wine can be kept until approximately 2040.

An exceptional Saint-Joseph from a historic terroir in the Rhône Valley

The estate

Founded in 1835 in Tournon-sur-Rhône, the Delas Frères house stands out today as one of the reference producers of the Rhône Valley. Owned by the Rouzaud family (Louis Roederer group) since 1993, it has experienced a true qualitative renaissance under the direction of the talented oenologist Jacques Grange, appointed in 1997. The estate cultivates approximately 30 hectares of vines in the most prestigious appellations of the northern Rhône and has possessed an ultra-modern winery in Tain-l'Hermitage since 2020. Delas Frères has practiced non-certified organic viticulture since 2013 and produces wines recognized for their finesse and elegance.

The vineyard

The Sainte-Épine vineyard extends over approximately one hectare in the commune of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, in the heart of the Saint-Joseph appellation. This historic plot takes its name from the ancient Commanderie de Sainte-Épine-Lès-Tournon, which belonged to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem in the Middle Ages. Exposed south and south-east, the terroir is composed of decomposed granite and metamorphic schist, a composition close to that of the famous locality Les Bessards on the Hermitage hill. The proximity of the Doux river creates a cooler microclimate than the surrounding plots, favoring the maintenance of beautiful freshness in the wines.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in the Rhône Valley was marked by extreme weather conditions. After a mild and rainy winter, spring saw episodes of localized frost and hail in April and May, followed by late flowering. Summer was characterized by intense heat and prolonged drought, with seven out of ten days exceeding 30 degrees Celsius between June and mid-September. These conditions led to a reduction in yields of up to 40% in certain sectors, but produced grapes of exceptional concentration. A modest rain of 15 millimeters fell on September 18, bringing a slight regain of balance. Despite the heat, the wines retain remarkable minerality and surprising freshness.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes for the Sainte-Épine 2019 were harvested manually at full maturity. After a three-day cold pre-fermentation maceration, fermentation took place in open concrete vats between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius with daily punch-downs and pump-overs for about ten days. The total maceration lasted about twenty days. The wine was then aged for 14 to 16 months in Burgundy barrels, including 50% new oak and 50% one-wine barrels, where malolactic fermentation also took place.

Grape variety

100% Syrah