The Saint-Esprit's deep color has a dark, plum-like hue. The nose is classical Syrah, with berry fruit, violet, licorice and spices. It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins. Saint-Esprit is a unique wine in the Cotes-du-Rhone appellation and can be paired with Provencale-style cuisine, game, stuffings and mixed grills.
Founded over 160 years ago, Delas Freres was acquired by Champagne Deutz in 1977. Delas Freres cultivates vineyards on the steep granite slopes of the northern Rhone, 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.
WA 90 Delas Freres has produced two other outstanding sleepers of the vintage, and both wines dramatically over-deliver for their appellations. The brilliant 2009 Cotes du Rhone St.-Esprit is the best Cotes du Rhone I have ever tasted from Delas. Seventy percent Syrah, twenty percent Grenache and the rest Carignan and Mourvedre, this wine comes primarily from the Cotes du Rhone village of Cairanne. The wine has great fruit and a sweet raspberry and black cherry nose with some herbs, licorice, and pepper. Aged all in tank, the wine is medium to full-bodied and possesses sweet tannin as well as a long finish. -The Wine Advocate, 90 Points