Date Tasted: 9/2020

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest Northern Rhône appellation and the most important in terms of volume. Include the territory of 11 communes on the left bank of the Rhône river. The soils such as granite slopes, clay, limestone and alluvial vary from the north to the south. The total production of the appellation is more than the other seven northern Rhône appellations combined. Syrah is the dominant variety, followed by a small percentage of Marsanne and Roussanne’s white grapes. The rules allow up to 15% of white grapes to be added to red wines during fermentation. 

Dela's family has been involved in the production of wine in the Rhône Valley since 1835. They cultivate vineyards on the northern Rhône in some of the region's most prestigious appellations. Additional grapes are supplied through long-term agreements with southern Rhône farmers in Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Ventoux. This wine is maturing for over 14 months, partly in steel tanks and partly in small Burgundy barrels that have already been used one or two times.

Appearance: Deep ruby colour. 

Nose: Youthful aromas, mostly ripe fruits like red cherry, cranberry, bramble, blueberry with a medicinal underlayer, green pepper and tar.

Palate: It has a good attack, but after the mid-palate shows an emptiness. It has high acidity, high well-worked tannins, medium to full body with a medium-plus green and somehow bitter aftertaste.

Drink or Hold: Enjoyable now but better after 2-3 years. 

Food Pairing: A nice medium rare beef steak. 

Points: 82

Name: Domaine des Grands Chemins

Producer: Delas

Variety: Syrah

Vintage: 2017

Region: AOC Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, France

Alcohol: 14%

Retail Price: 30€

Service temperature: 16-18 C°