Deep, dark, clear garnet color. Piercing pomegranate, mulberry, and raspberry notes on the nose. Delicious notes of mulberries with a hint of coffee on the finish. Raspberries, powdered sugar, vanillin are in the mix as well.
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This was really good. Nose has mid red berries, but also some floral elements, hint of forest floor. Palate is fresh, initially mid red berries, some blueberries as well, but evolves on the tounge, adds a hint of iron as well as darker fruit. Satisfyingly long finish. Evolves quite a bit in the decanter as well, initially primary fruits, but adds complexity after an hour + in. A lot of good things going on here. Really like how the freshness of the wine meets the complexity of the palate. In its window for sure, but still feels like early days to me.
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Done as a pairing for duck confit with a white chapoutier les granits ‘13- probably unfair as that clearly outshown this as a match- it’s clearly in its drink window but likely early and no rush.
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Solid wine. It has one, not multiple, layers, with a richness that lasts about 10 seconds. A bit of tannic residue remains, but this is now mostly mature primary fruit. I'd rate this smack dab in the heart of its primary drinking window. In a vintage like 2011, will phase two in 5-10 years be better? For my money and remaining five bottles, I'll bet on the present over the future, and save the 2010s for later. BTW, a one hour decant seemed to hit the spot, without much improvement thereafter.
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Decanted 1hr - Christmas dinner wine. Nose: Dense and powerful, bouquet of blue fruit, pepper, spice. Color: Dark red, shade of browning. Medium+ body, medium acid. Firm tannins, still noticeably young, but i can appreciate the structure. Blue fruit in front, plum in the middle, dark chocolate and sour cherry cola at the end. Medium/long finish. Drinking great now, plenty of time left.
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The best of my three bottle purchased. Decanted 90 minutes and drank along side a 2014 Denner Dirt Worshipper. The Wine held its own vs the Denner which was more tannic and alcoholic 13% alcohol here vs Denner at 14.5%. Nice earthy nose and still some soft tannins. Very easy to drink and the lower alcohol was noticeable. I’d say they Wine is still average. That said the Syrah flavors were what you’d expect without a lot of extraction. QPR is average at best here.
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This is pleasing and quite gulpable with blackberry notes. Not much in the way of savory notes or appellation character. A touch of garrigue, perhaps. Such that I would have called this a good if not amazing Cotes du Rhone if tasted blind.
A smooth, fruit-forward wine. Sweet aromas of ripe blackberries and geraniums. Meaty undertones. Not the most complex Hermitage, nor does it match the "masculine" reputation of Hermitage. It's a soft, pleasurable wine. Tannins are appropriate. Drink now.
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Dark, browning a bit. Nose carries notes of fig, mineral, espresso, clove, black olive, tea and walnut. Menthol. Mouth is a bit earthy and dusty, seems to be oxidizing a bit. Bit of bacon fat; gamy. Tannins seem to be totally resolved. Kind of short on the finish. A slight disappointment. 4-12-14-7: 87/100.
Have not had the pleasure of enjoying much Northern Rhône, but this was quite bold, concentrated and it held a lot of interest both on the nose and on the palate. Paired very well with Lamb.
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Muted nose, pleasant initial palate, good acidity, plum, prune, medium to heavy body, a bit muddy, nothing spectacular, not bad either, a good table wine.
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maybe bottle variation but nowhere the charm or quality Delas regularly produces. Very linear and unassuming - totally lacking depth of the region and the fruit one expects from such a well established vineyard.
Maybe just an off bottle, hopefully so.
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Bright ruby red into the glass, nose of herbs and barnyard, unmistakable Rhône character. Aerated through VinAire, a noticeable amount of oak and barnyard funk on the initial entry, but it all blew off after 30-45 minutes, leaving a sophisticated, food-friendly, medium bodied Syrah. Definitely old world in style, and quite nice. Hard to tell where this is going, but in a decent spot now and should improve in the next year or so.
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Dark red with brick tones, nose on blueberry, blackcurrant. Full body, blacks fruits in the mouth, tannins are starting to integrate, oak still noticeable.Well done but expected a bit more complexity. medium+ finish. next bottle in 18M
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Delas Hermitage Masterclass with Steven Spurrier (Handford Wines, London): Served Vintage blind. The wine has an intense red fruit feel, younger fresh red fruits that in a way was a typical to the rest. We guessed on the nose 2003 but the palate was soft and not 2003 ripe so we went for a ripe vintage and guessed 2009. Not our favorite as that intense red fruit was a bit too much, at this stage at least. Young for sure and will need time. 90-91 for now.
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Deep colored, new world styled northern Rhone. Medium to rich mouth feel with sweet raspberry kirsch in the middle palate. Soft tannins and smooth earth compliment balanced acid in the finish. Great wine and should drink well for 5 plus years.
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Deep dark purple with nose of dark black red fruit, dark chocolate. Very young but approachable. Silky mouth feel with balanced fruit and well integrated tannins with some acidity on the back of the palate and finish. Opened nicely after about an hour or so. Excellent Syrah which ran on the edge of over powering but held back nicely. Excellent with Filet Mignon, honey coated carrots and garlic sauteed spinach.
While not in my wheel house (Burgundy is my thing) it is a well made excellent wine worth the experience.
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Had this with my wine group last night, and it was a huge hit. Probably the WOTN, although for me, it was behind the CdP that we had. Slightly peppery, and a mid weight wine. I don't drink many Northern Rhones, so I don't have much to compare it to.
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Medium to full body, complex, balanced acid and tannin structure. Young with plenty of dark fruit coming in waves, silky on the palate with hints of pepper and iron. Never heard of this producer and bought on a whim Excellent
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Popped and poured at a wine dinner, but by the time we got to it, it was probably open for an hour. A big hit, everyone enjoyed it. I don't drink much French Northern Rhones, so I don't have a lot to compare it to. It stood up to the spicy food that I had for dinner.
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Dense, complex, far too early to drink this wine now. Aromatic, animal scent with blackberries and violets. Dark red, blood, mineral. Leave it for 10 years, it will probably then be a 95 point wine
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3 hour decant to open- very tight at first. Seamless integration. Classic notes of game and dark fruits. Silky tannins. Nice effort at the price point.
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Just a massive and really spectacular example of a "lesser" Hermitage. Lots of class, complexity, depth, and overall quality here. Ton of really dark fruit, smokiness, and a very distinctive charcoal/bbq pit note on the nose. Lots going on here, but despite the heft, it manages to remain fresh, vibrant, and never cloying. While young and somewhat tight (needs 5-7, maybe more to peak), it hints at greatness, even in this OK vintage. At $45, what a great value in fine, old-world, super well-made wine.
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Purple colour, showing it's youth. Smoke and blackcurrant nose and lovely soft blackcurrant fruit which is concentrated, showing its class. Whilst this wine is very good now it is a little one dimensional, I've enjoyed this wine with ten years bottle age or more and you get much more from it. Be patient!
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11/19/2023 - VoteferPedro Likes this wine:
Very good but still needed an hour of air and raspberry and earthiness come through
but truly not more than 89-90
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2/25/2023 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep, dark, clear garnet color. Piercing pomegranate, mulberry, and raspberry notes on the nose. Delicious notes of mulberries with a hint of coffee on the finish. Raspberries, powdered sugar, vanillin are in the mix as well.
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12/3/2022 - Ajallo Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was really good. Nose has mid red berries, but also some floral elements, hint of forest floor. Palate is fresh, initially mid red berries, some blueberries as well, but evolves on the tounge, adds a hint of iron as well as darker fruit. Satisfyingly long finish. Evolves quite a bit in the decanter as well, initially primary fruits, but adds complexity after an hour + in. A lot of good things going on here. Really like how the freshness of the wine meets the complexity of the palate. In its window for sure, but still feels like early days to me.
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9/11/2021 - Tylerk wrote: 91 Points
Done as a pairing for duck confit with a white chapoutier les granits ‘13- probably unfair as that clearly outshown this as a match- it’s clearly in its drink window but likely early and no rush.
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8/25/2021 - Montesquieu wrote: 92 Points
Solid wine. It has one, not multiple, layers, with a richness that lasts about 10 seconds. A bit of tannic residue remains, but this is now mostly mature primary fruit. I'd rate this smack dab in the heart of its primary drinking window. In a vintage like 2011, will phase two in 5-10 years be better? For my money and remaining five bottles, I'll bet on the present over the future, and save the 2010s for later. BTW, a one hour decant seemed to hit the spot, without much improvement thereafter.
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4/4/2021 - LovesBurgundy wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed with lamb. Nice dark fruit, some blue fruit... continues on the tongue. Tertiary notes absent.
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3/28/2021 - Steff wrote: 90 Points
Elegant with fruit. Need decanting one hour at least Long aftertaste.
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12/25/2020 - MrTunaDavis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted 1hr - Christmas dinner wine.
Nose: Dense and powerful, bouquet of blue fruit, pepper, spice.
Color: Dark red, shade of browning.
Medium+ body, medium acid.
Firm tannins, still noticeably young, but i can appreciate the structure. Blue fruit in front, plum in the middle, dark chocolate and sour cherry cola at the end. Medium/long finish. Drinking great now, plenty of time left.
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12/20/2020 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 90 Points
The best of my three bottle purchased. Decanted 90 minutes and drank along side a 2014 Denner Dirt Worshipper. The Wine held its own vs the Denner which was more tannic and alcoholic 13% alcohol here vs Denner at 14.5%. Nice earthy nose and still some soft tannins. Very easy to drink and the lower alcohol was noticeable. I’d say they Wine is still average. That said the Syrah flavors were what you’d expect without a lot of extraction. QPR is average at best here.
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12/7/2020 - gmbdds wrote: 90 Points
This is pleasing and quite gulpable with blackberry notes. Not much in the way of savory notes or appellation character. A touch of garrigue, perhaps. Such that I would have called this a good if not amazing Cotes du Rhone if tasted blind.
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11/8/2020 - chrisanderika Likes this wine: 94 Points
Smoky, blue fruit aromas with anise, gorgeously silky, really profound
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9/23/2020 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 92 Points
A smooth, fruit-forward wine. Sweet aromas of ripe blackberries and geraniums. Meaty undertones. Not the most complex Hermitage, nor does it match the "masculine" reputation of Hermitage. It's a soft, pleasurable wine. Tannins are appropriate. Drink now.
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9/6/2020 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 87 Points
Dark, browning a bit. Nose carries notes of fig, mineral, espresso, clove, black olive, tea and walnut. Menthol. Mouth is a bit earthy and dusty, seems to be oxidizing a bit. Bit of bacon fat; gamy. Tannins seem to be totally resolved. Kind of short on the finish. A slight disappointment. 4-12-14-7: 87/100.
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8/17/2020 - nywine68 wrote: 92 Points
PnP. Brambly blackberries and raspberries with some garrigue and just a touch of white pepper. Good freshness, length and persistence.
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6/21/2020 - LovesBurgundy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Have not had the pleasure of enjoying much Northern Rhône, but this was quite bold, concentrated and it held a lot of interest both on the nose and on the palate. Paired very well with Lamb.
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6/13/2020 - bemeyer wrote:
Nice muted flavors, decant needed and pair with hearty food
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6/2/2020 - Hawk94 wrote: 91 Points
Muted nose, pleasant initial palate, good acidity, plum, prune, medium to heavy body, a bit muddy, nothing spectacular, not bad either, a good table wine.
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5/21/2020 - Miamidivorcelawyer wrote: 85 Points
maybe bottle variation but nowhere the charm or quality Delas regularly produces. Very linear and unassuming - totally lacking depth of the region and the fruit one expects from such a well established vineyard.
Maybe just an off bottle, hopefully so.
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2/24/2020 - Rico100 wrote: 98 Points
Superb wine - right from the first sip. Decanted 1.5 hrs. Universal acclaim - a winner - smooth and delicious.
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8/1/2019 - BillyT wrote: 92 Points
Previous notes apply. Only wish there was more. Outstanding.
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6/6/2019 - Dale Rattles Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bright ruby red into the glass, nose of herbs and barnyard, unmistakable Rhône character. Aerated through VinAire, a noticeable amount of oak and barnyard funk on the initial entry, but it all blew off after 30-45 minutes, leaving a sophisticated, food-friendly, medium bodied Syrah. Definitely old world in style, and quite nice. Hard to tell where this is going, but in a decent spot now and should improve in the next year or so.
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1/12/2019 - danstrings Likes this wine: 93 Points
Gorgeous sleek dark inky balanced red, yumm!
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1/2/2019 - fipile Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark red with brick tones, nose on blueberry, blackcurrant.
Full body, blacks fruits in the mouth, tannins are starting to integrate, oak still noticeable.Well done but expected a bit more complexity.
medium+ finish.
next bottle in 18M
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6/11/2018 - Papies wrote: 90 Points
Delas Hermitage Masterclass with Steven Spurrier (Handford Wines, London): Served Vintage blind.
The wine has an intense red fruit feel, younger fresh red fruits that in a way was a typical to the rest. We guessed on the nose 2003 but the palate was soft and not 2003 ripe so we went for a ripe vintage and guessed 2009.
Not our favorite as that intense red fruit was a bit too much, at this stage at least. Young for sure and will need time. 90-91 for now.
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10/5/2017 - VoteferPedro wrote:
great cool fruit
nose is asleep
moderate to strong tannins
not ready
wait 2-5 years
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3/20/2017 - AB16 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep colored, new world styled northern Rhone. Medium to rich mouth feel with sweet raspberry kirsch in the middle palate. Soft tannins and smooth earth compliment balanced acid in the finish. Great wine and should drink well for 5 plus years.
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8/22/2016 - BillyT wrote: 92 Points
Deep dark purple with nose of dark black red fruit, dark chocolate. Very young but approachable. Silky mouth feel with balanced fruit and well integrated tannins with some acidity on the back of the palate and finish. Opened nicely after about an hour or so. Excellent Syrah which ran on the edge of over powering but held back nicely. Excellent with Filet Mignon, honey coated carrots and garlic sauteed spinach.
While not in my wheel house (Burgundy is my thing) it is a well made excellent wine worth the experience.
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7/10/2016 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 91 Points
Had this with my wine group last night, and it was a huge hit. Probably the WOTN, although for me, it was behind the CdP that we had. Slightly peppery, and a mid weight wine. I don't drink many Northern Rhones, so I don't have much to compare it to.
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7/2/2016 - kanab ram Likes this wine:
New world style Syrah. Light in color but plush mouth feel. Intense raspberry on nose. Nice balance between acid and fruit. Excites front of palate.
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5/27/2016 - scott w Likes this wine: 93 Points
Medium to full body, complex, balanced acid and tannin structure. Young with plenty of dark fruit coming in waves, silky on the palate with hints of pepper and iron. Never heard of this producer and bought on a whim Excellent
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3/13/2016 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured at a wine dinner, but by the time we got to it, it was probably open for an hour. A big hit, everyone enjoyed it. I don't drink much French Northern Rhones, so I don't have a lot to compare it to. It stood up to the spicy food that I had for dinner.
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2/11/2016 - Per-Harald Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dense, complex, far too early to drink this wine now. Aromatic, animal scent with blackberries and violets. Dark red, blood, mineral. Leave it for 10 years, it will probably then be a 95 point wine
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12/20/2015 - El Tej wrote: 95 Points
3 hour decant to open- very tight at first. Seamless integration. Classic notes of game and dark fruits. Silky tannins. Nice effort at the price point.
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12/20/2015 - k H i L o Likes this wine: 89 Points
Concentré, chaleureux, fort en fruits. Bien.
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12/12/2015 - RyanJames Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just a massive and really spectacular example of a "lesser" Hermitage. Lots of class, complexity, depth, and overall quality here. Ton of really dark fruit, smokiness, and a very distinctive charcoal/bbq pit note on the nose. Lots going on here, but despite the heft, it manages to remain fresh, vibrant, and never cloying. While young and somewhat tight (needs 5-7, maybe more to peak), it hints at greatness, even in this OK vintage. At $45, what a great value in fine, old-world, super well-made wine.
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11/26/2015 - danstrings Likes this wine: 91 Points
Inky juicy and silky as last time, crowd pleaser!
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10/16/2015 - danstrings Likes this wine: 91 Points
Inky dark, loads of lush silky fruit and mocha, in a shy and reticent way tho. Great balance.
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5/15/2015 - danstrings Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep, dark, dense and monolithic now.. Not showing much. Unctuous minerally fruit beneath, hands off for now.
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6/24/2014 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 88 Points
Purple colour, showing it's youth. Smoke and blackcurrant nose and lovely soft blackcurrant fruit which is concentrated, showing its class. Whilst this wine is very good now it is a little one dimensional, I've enjoyed this wine with ten years bottle age or more and you get much more from it. Be patient!
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