Excellent Syrah. I love the way the Viognier adds aromatics and contributes a small but noticeable element of elegance. Has the hallmarks of the Rocks, but fearers of the funk need not worry.
This is just delightful.
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Nice wine with what I would call Rocks Light. Actually like the muted rocks nose. Not over powering funk but nicely in the background. The palate matches with a nice easy drinking yet a clean rocks profile. Some rocks wines give you in the face funk with a disjointed palate. This was well integrated with some dark syrah fruit and a medium finish.
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Cork broke in half but no issues otherwise. Decanted 45 minutes. Very dark inky purple with no bricking. Powerful nose with crushed flowers and raw meat. Intense palate with bacon, game, plums, pomegranate, and dried cherries. Just a touch of rocks funkiness. Finish seemed a little clipped? A delicious WA Syrah from a producer that seems destined to join the pantheon of the state’s best. At or near its peak, but with a good 5+ years in front of it.
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Finally got to try this Delmas, was looking forward to it. This has the funk from the rocks region, but not overly dominant. Compared to Cayuse this is a little thinner and lighter on its feet. After a 2 hr decant the mid pallet starts to really smooth out and get that silky green olive Syrah mouthfeel. I didn't get the long finish out of it yet. Very good but up against some peers at this price point I think it falls a little short.
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Rich and savory, nicely balanced with strong syrah flavors; great mouth feel, long finish on the palate; sure am glad I have some more to taste later on; should cellar very well for several years
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I had 2 bottles of this that were both very good, but decidedly different. The first in 11/16 was a PnP with family. It’s been a while, but I remember it mostly berries and floral on the nose. On the palate I really didn’t get any rocks character. It was lighter in body than expected, but was really enjoyable to drink with and without food. The 2nd bottle 9/17 decanted 1 hour and served with grilled ribeye. This had everything the previous bottle had with the addition of charcuterie and smoke on the nose. It wasn’t as in your face as an En Chamberlin or In The Rocks, but those elements were there in a more subtle way that I think I prefer. The wine was more medium to medium full bodied with ample acidity and tasted much the same as the nose. It was hard not to drink the whole bottle. Day 2 was less impressive but the bottle was open for 4 hours at room temperature before being put back in the cellar.
Very impressed. Considering giving up my ever inflating $ Reynvaan allocation now that I have an allocation of this.
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Uncorked the bottle about 30 minutes before tasting, which seemed okay. Splashed it into my glass to get some air and drank very slowly. This is my first Delmas and I found this to be VERY pleasing and intriquing. It seems to be made in a minimalist, non-interventionist style. They have REALLY let The Rocks terroir speak. It wasn't over-extracted or excessively macerated with a body at medium minus or light plus with a captivating elegance. Complex, balanced, and nodding to the Rhone. It is certainly not a New World Syrah with in-your-face juiciness. It must reflect that this wine started with grapes grown in a great vineyard during a great vintage with flawless execution at every step. The finish lasted almost 30 seconds and was fascinating (iron, blood, meat, umame). I think this will continue to improve into 2018, but certainly is drinking oh-so well right now. A reasonable QPR for this quality of wine. Thanks for offering this FP! Enjoy!
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Was served this blind. Guessed new world Syrah immediately with meat juice, pepper, and red fruits on the nose and palate. Some nice sweet florals had me guessing a little Grenache in the mix. After the bottle saw some air and I saw the label, it reminded me of a super young Cayuse En Cerise. Fun sip and would like to try more from this producer.
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I will say that this wine will get much better once the oak integrates, but at this moment, this is showing a ton of oak.
That said, the nose here shows a mix of florals (Vio co-ferment) & spiced pit fruit. These aromatics deepen as the wine takes on air. Full bodied Syrah with a core of red fruit, dates & meaty notes. All of this is a bit obscured by some nutmeg/vanilla spiciness from the oak. This got an hour of slow-ox before serving. Excellent, long finish with more of the fruitcake-like spice.
Paired with braised shortribs & parsnips. The wine held up to the rich, yet rustic meal. I am anxious to try this again once the oak integrates. A very exciting new producer from Walla Walla.
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Super savory, bloody, and meaty. Soft, rich body with an explosion of violets, bacon fat, plum and dark fruit. Finishes with very fine tannins and great balance. Not as much rocks funk as I expected given the vineyard location, but overall a really nice wine. I keep coming back for more now, and expect it to evolve quite nicely with a little age.
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6/16/2022 - SeaWine Likes this wine:
Excellent Syrah. I love the way the Viognier adds aromatics and contributes a small but noticeable element of elegance.
Has the hallmarks of the Rocks, but fearers of the funk need not worry.
This is just delightful.
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6/9/2020 - ssekdad Likes this wine: 93 Points
Complex savory smooth light long spectacular
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5/17/2020 - enjoyvino wrote: 92 Points
Nice wine with what I would call Rocks Light. Actually like the muted rocks nose. Not over powering funk but nicely in the background. The palate matches with a nice easy drinking yet a clean rocks profile. Some rocks wines give you in the face funk with a disjointed palate. This was well integrated with some dark syrah fruit and a medium finish.
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12/20/2019 - Magnolian Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cork broke in half but no issues otherwise. Decanted 45 minutes. Very dark inky purple with no bricking. Powerful nose with crushed flowers and raw meat. Intense palate with bacon, game, plums, pomegranate, and dried cherries. Just a touch of rocks funkiness. Finish seemed a little clipped? A delicious WA Syrah from a producer that seems destined to join the pantheon of the state’s best. At or near its peak, but with a good 5+ years in front of it.
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12/24/2017 - Nbkat8 wrote: 92 Points
Finally got to try this Delmas, was looking forward to it. This has the funk from the rocks region, but not overly dominant. Compared to Cayuse this is a little thinner and lighter on its feet. After a 2 hr decant the mid pallet starts to really smooth out and get that silky green olive Syrah mouthfeel. I didn't get the long finish out of it yet. Very good but up against some peers at this price point I think it falls a little short.
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11/16/2017 - LordByron wrote: 92 Points
Rich and savory, nicely balanced with strong syrah flavors; great mouth feel, long finish on the palate; sure am glad I have some more to taste later on; should cellar very well for several years
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9/10/2017 - Bladams13 Likes this wine: 94 Points
I had 2 bottles of this that were both very good, but decidedly different. The first in 11/16 was a PnP with family. It’s been a while, but I remember it mostly berries and floral on the nose. On the palate I really didn’t get any rocks character. It was lighter in body than expected, but was really enjoyable to drink with and without food. The 2nd bottle 9/17 decanted 1 hour and served with grilled ribeye. This had everything the previous bottle had with the addition of charcuterie and smoke on the nose. It wasn’t as in your face as an En Chamberlin or In The Rocks, but those elements were there in a more subtle way that I think I prefer. The wine was more medium to medium full bodied with ample acidity and tasted much the same as the nose. It was hard not to drink the whole bottle. Day 2 was less impressive but the bottle was open for 4 hours at room temperature before being put back in the cellar.
Very impressed. Considering giving up my ever inflating $ Reynvaan allocation now that I have an allocation of this.
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7/16/2016 - wine247365 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Uncorked the bottle about 30 minutes before tasting, which seemed okay. Splashed it into my glass to get some air and drank very slowly. This is my first Delmas and I found this to be VERY pleasing and intriquing. It seems to be made in a minimalist, non-interventionist style. They have REALLY let The Rocks terroir speak. It wasn't over-extracted or excessively macerated with a body at medium minus or light plus with a captivating elegance. Complex, balanced, and nodding to the Rhone. It is certainly not a New World Syrah with in-your-face juiciness. It must reflect that this wine started with grapes grown in a great vineyard during a great vintage with flawless execution at every step. The finish lasted almost 30 seconds and was fascinating (iron, blood, meat, umame). I think this will continue to improve into 2018, but certainly is drinking oh-so well right now. A reasonable QPR for this quality of wine. Thanks for offering this FP! Enjoy!
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6/28/2015 - blabbott wrote: 92 Points
This is a big and very rich wine with lots of spice and black fruit. There is earth in the taste profile and a balanced but solidly oak flavor.
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11/23/2014 - Vinsant wrote:
Was served this blind. Guessed new world Syrah immediately with meat juice, pepper, and red fruits on the nose and palate. Some nice sweet florals had me guessing a little Grenache in the mix. After the bottle saw some air and I saw the label, it reminded me of a super young Cayuse En Cerise. Fun sip and would like to try more from this producer.
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10/18/2014 - Anthony Lombardi Likes this wine: 92 Points
I will say that this wine will get much better once the oak integrates, but at this moment, this is showing a ton of oak.
That said, the nose here shows a mix of florals (Vio co-ferment) & spiced pit fruit. These aromatics deepen as the wine takes on air. Full bodied Syrah with a core of red fruit, dates & meaty notes. All of this is a bit obscured by some nutmeg/vanilla spiciness from the oak. This got an hour of slow-ox before serving. Excellent, long finish with more of the fruitcake-like spice.
Paired with braised shortribs & parsnips. The wine held up to the rich, yet rustic meal. I am anxious to try this again once the oak integrates. A very exciting new producer from Walla Walla.
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8/24/2014 - dpolivy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Super savory, bloody, and meaty. Soft, rich body with an explosion of violets, bacon fat, plum and dark fruit. Finishes with very fine tannins and great balance. Not as much rocks funk as I expected given the vineyard location, but overall a really nice wine. I keep coming back for more now, and expect it to evolve quite nicely with a little age.
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