Description
Delay Saint D-Esprit Côtes-du-Rhône AOC is a beautiful deep colour with a dark, plum-like hue. The nose is classically Syrah, with berry fruit, violet, and liquorice. It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins, making it unique in the "Côtes-du-Rhône" category. A red blend of mostly Syrah, with Grenache included to round off the profile. The wine pairs amazingly with "Provençale" style cuisine, stuffed tomatoes and aubergines, mixed grills and barbecues.
Delas Freres are thorough in their wine making process. After harvest the entire crop is destemmed. Fermentation and maceration take place in closed vats for approximately 15 days. Daily pumping over ensures the proper extraction. Fermentation temperature is controlled, and kept at between 82°F and 86°F (28°C and 30°C). After devatting, pressing and racking, malolactic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel vats. The wines are kept in vats to preserve fruit aromas. They are racked regularly in order to allow their components to stabilize naturally. The "Saint Esprit" cuvée is bottled after 8 months of ageing.
Delas Freres vineyards cover about 41,200 hectares/101,764 acres (within 6 French "départements"). The climate consists of typical Mediterranean with a prevailing "Mistral" wind. This harsh wind – both necessary and beneficial to the vines' development – is caused by the difference between the Southern and Northern Rhône's atmospheric pressures. Highly seasonal rainfall, hot temperatures and abundant sunshine are also the characteristic of this region.
Average production: 500,000 bottles (75 cl.) per year.
