Delas - Cote Rotie La Landonne 2014

"Terrific notes of black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, graphite and crushed rocks. Possessing full-bodied richness and a concentrated and beautifully-textured style, with building tannin." Jeb Dunnuck

Founded over 160 years ago, Delas Frères was acquired by Champagne Deutz in 1977.

Delas Frères cultivates vineyards on the steep granite slopes of the northern Rhône, in some of the region's most prestigious appellations. Additional grapes are supplied through long-term agreements with southern Rhone growers dedicated to providing only top quality grapes.

Crafted by winemaker Jacques Grange to epitomize finesse and elegance, recent Delas Frères vintages from the vineyards of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Ventoux have won renewed praise for their intensity of flavor and excellent value.

Shows excellent ripeness for the vintage, with a juicy core of red currant and plum fruit, backed by light anise, apple wood and black tea notes. Fresh acidity drives the iron-laden finish, adding cut and detail. Best from 2019 through 2034.

Youthful purple. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes candied cherry, black raspberry and olive, along with complicating notes of pungent flowers, incense and smoky minerals. Sappy and expressive in the mouth, offering densely packed red and dark berry preserve, violet pastille and spicecake flavors underscored and sharpened by a jolt of juicy acidity. Shows outstanding focus and mineral-driven thrust on the gently tannic finish, which hangs on with serious tenacity. -Josh Raynolds 

Both of the Côte Rôtie releases are excellent wines. One of the most structured wines in the vintage, the 2014 Côte Rôtie La Landonne (100% Syrah aged in 40% new barrels) gives up terrific notes of black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, graphite and crushed rocks. Possessing full-bodied richness and a concentrated and beautifully-textured style, with building tannin, it should be given 3-4 years of cellaring and enjoyed over the following 10-15 years.