Delas Freres
Delas Freres has been making beautifully styled wine in the Northern Cotes du Rhone for over 160 years. In 1996 they were acquired by the Champagne House Louis Roederer, yet retain full management autonomy. Jacques Grange is the head winemaker; his team are making wine with impressive intensity.
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Vinous (94-95)
Inky ruby. Smoke- and mineral-accented black and blue fruits, violet, licorice and an olive nuance on the deeply perfumed nose. Stains the palate with intense cherry, blueberry and fruitcake flavors that are sharpened by a spicy touch of cracked pepper. Youthfully chewy tannins frame an impressively long, penetrating finish that leaves candied dark berry and floral pastille notes behind. These are still young days for this wine but, as usual, it already screams "Hermitage".HK$2,585.00 -
Decanter (93)
Some weight of fruit here underneath the measured clove oak. Smooth, ripe, with well-balanced acidity, this has a good sense of balance and elegance. Fresh, with plentiful cinnamon spice and forest berry fruit that's just-ripe, neither over nor under. A fairly compact, early-drinking Hermitage, not a powerful one, but one that has some natural class.HK$1,985.00 -
Vinous (90)
(90% marsanne and 10% roussanne) Pale gold. Honey, peach pit, licorice, pear and smoky herbs on the nose. Fleshy and smooth, offering smoky, palate-staining pit fruit and floral honey flavors, with hints of truffle and orange pith. Shows an exotic character that winemaker Jacques Grange compared to a pinot gris from Alsace. Finishes with very good length, repeating the smoke, floral and licorice notes.HK$750.00 -
(1x75cl) 2011Vinous (91)
Bright gold. Heady, exotic aromas of ripe orchard and pit fruits, violet and smoky minerals. Smells a lot like a viognier. Lively and precise on the palate, offering mineral-laced pear and nectarine flavors and notes of ginger and iodine. Gains heft with aeration and finishes with excellent length on a refreshingly bitter pear skin note.HK$1,135.00 -
Vinous (93)
Pale gold. Powerful orchard and citrus fruit scents are complemented by suggestions of smoky minerals, chamomile and fennel. Chewy and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated pear, Meyer lemon and honeysuckle flavors braced by a core of juicy acidity. Delivers a solid punch of ripe pit fruits on an impressively long, focused finish that echoes the floral and mineral notes.HK$2,240.00 -
(3x75cl) 2004Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (94)
Ruby-red. Very pungent, deep aromas of tobacco- and underbrush-laced red and blackcurrant. Powerful and rich, showing impressive sweetness to its potent cassis and blackberry flavors. Really stains the palate, finishing with exceptional purity and mineral tones. Whatever tannins are here (and you know there are plenty) are completely absorbed by the sheer fruit mass.HK$5,845.00 -
(1x75cl) 2006Vinous - Josh Raynolds (92-94)
Glass-staining purple. Pungent blackberry and spiced plum aromas are brightened by zesty minerals and fresh violet. Lush and deeply concentrated but impressively lively, with energetic raspberry and blackcurrant flavors joined by vibrant minerality on the close. A strikingly precise, flavor-packed wine that smoothly joins power with elegance.HK$1,350.00 -
(6x75cl) 2007Wine Advocate (94)
The 2007 Hermitage les Bessards is a forward, sexy wine that has considerable charm in its darker fruits, smoked wood, bacon fat and mineral-laced personality. Full-bodied, fleshy, layered and sweetly fruited, drink it while you wait on the 2009 and 2010 to come around.HK$6,160.00 -
(1x75cl) 2010Wine Advocate (100)
Utterly profound in every way, the 2010 Hermitage les Bessards comes from the steepest, most rugged and badass part of Hermitage Hill, the broken granite soils of the les Bessards lieu-dit. Inky colored, thick and massively concentrated, it has sensational notes of liquid granite (the essence of granite!), smoked meats, scorched earth, currants and chocolate on the nose. Full-bodied, frighteningly concentrated, structured and backwards, it needs another decade of cellaring but will keep for half a century.HK$1,860.00 -
(3x150cl) 2010Wine Advocate (100)
Utterly profound in every way, the 2010 Hermitage les Bessards comes from the steepest, most rugged and badass part of Hermitage Hill, the broken granite soils of the les Bessards lieu-dit. Inky colored, thick and massively concentrated, it has sensational notes of liquid granite (the essence of granite!), smoked meats, scorched earth, currants and chocolate on the nose. Full-bodied, frighteningly concentrated, structured and backwards, it needs another decade of cellaring but will keep for half a century.HK$12,745.00 -
(6x150cl) 2011Wine Advocate (99)
Even better and one of the top two to three wines in the vintage, the 2011 Hermitage Les Bessards (100% Syrah that spent 16 months in 70% new French oak) possesses an inky purple color to go with a fabulously rich, pure bouquet of smoked earth, ground pepper, underbrush and licorice that’s supported by awesome black raspberry and cassis-styled fruit. Full-bodied, seamless and layered, with masses of sweet tannin and notable structure, this beauty bucks the vintage stereotype and will need short-term cellaring to become approachable. It will have 2-3 decades of longevity.HK$10,740.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The star of the show is the 2012 Hermitage Les Bessards. Coming from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit, on the western edge of the appellation, it’s made from 100% Syrah and spent 16 months in 70% new French oak. It’s an incredible wine that offers classic powdered rock-like minerality, loads of crème de cassis and black raspberry fruit, smoked meats, spice and dried-flower nuances. Complex, pure and perfumed, it’s full-bodied and seamless on the palate, with fabulous density, ultra-fine tannin structure and impeccable overall balance. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades.HK$1,395.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The star of the show is the 2012 Hermitage Les Bessards. Coming from the pure granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit, on the western edge of the appellation, it’s made from 100% Syrah and spent 16 months in 70% new French oak. It’s an incredible wine that offers classic powdered rock-like minerality, loads of crème de cassis and black raspberry fruit, smoked meats, spice and dried-flower nuances. Complex, pure and perfumed, it’s full-bodied and seamless on the palate, with fabulous density, ultra-fine tannin structure and impeccable overall balance. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and drink it over the following two decades.HK$5,940.00 -
(1x75cl) 2013Vinous (95)
(aged in 70% new oak for 18 months): Inky ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, peppery spices and fresh flowers, backed by a hint of olive. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering intense, deeply concentrated blackberry and violet pastille flavors and a suggestion of star anise. Finishes pure, sweet and energetic on the penetrating finish, showing outstanding focus and slow-building tannins.HK$1,315.00 -
Vinous (94)
Dark purple. A powerful, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and incense and shows a vibrant mineral overtone. Stains the palate with intense blackberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that deepen and pick up a sexy floral element with air. Shows a compelling marriage of richness and finesse and finishes extremely long, sappy and sweet, with youthful tannins adding framework.HK$5,290.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It's a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo!HK$1,755.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It's a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo!HK$7,980.00 -
Vinous (95)
Opaque purple. Mineral-accented dark berries, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the explosively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated yet energetic black raspberry, spicecake, smoked meat and violet pastille flavors are complicated by vibrant mineral and dark chocolate notes that build on the back half. Sweet, sappy and sharply delineated on an extremely long, floral- and dark-fruit-driven finish that shows superb clarity and steadily building, harmonious tannins.HK$1,710.00 -
Vinous (95)
Opaque purple. Mineral-accented dark berries, candied licorice, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the explosively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated yet energetic black raspberry, spicecake, smoked meat and violet pastille flavors are complicated by vibrant mineral and dark chocolate notes that build on the back half. Sweet, sappy and sharply delineated on an extremely long, floral- and dark-fruit-driven finish that shows superb clarity and steadily building, harmonious tannins.HK$6,805.00 -
(1x75cl) 2018Wine Advocate (98)
Boasting classic Les Bessards notes of sun-warmed cassis and crushed stone, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards has turned out to be a magnificent wine—a close rival to the potentially perfect 2015. Full-bodied and velvety, concentrated and tannic, overflowing with notes of grilled plums, grilled meat and black olives, it's all topped off by a forever finish that remains fresh and cleansing, courtesy of lingering salted-licorice flavors and the texture of finely ground stone dust. Try a bottle after 2025, if you can wait that long.HK$1,255.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Boasting classic Les Bessards notes of sun-warmed cassis and crushed stone, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards has turned out to be a magnificent wine—a close rival to the potentially perfect 2015. Full-bodied and velvety, concentrated and tannic, overflowing with notes of grilled plums, grilled meat and black olives, it's all topped off by a forever finish that remains fresh and cleansing, courtesy of lingering salted-licorice flavors and the texture of finely ground stone dust. Try a bottle after 2025, if you can wait that long.HK$6,125.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
My favorite release from this estate is consistently their Les Bessards Hermitage, and their 2019 is no exception. Coming from the western part and pure broken granite soils on the west side of this magical hill, it sports a dense purple hue to go with a brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Incredibly complex, layered, and nuanced, with classic Hermitage characteristics, it still stays firmly planted in the ripe, sunny, sexy vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Delas for another incredible wine.HK$2,850.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
My favorite release from this estate is consistently their Les Bessards Hermitage, and their 2019 is no exception. Coming from the western part and pure broken granite soils on the west side of this magical hill, it sports a dense purple hue to go with a brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Incredibly complex, layered, and nuanced, with classic Hermitage characteristics, it still stays firmly planted in the ripe, sunny, sexy vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Delas for another incredible wine.HK$6,690.00 -
HK$6,545.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.HK$12,080.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
While I've had multiple looks at previous vintages, this is my first review of the 2018 Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes. Inky in hue, it boasts powerful, brooding aromas that include hints of hardwood charcoal, dark berries, licorice, crushed stone and pencil shavings. Full-bodied and almost painfully intense, it's a huge, mouthfilling wine that seems capable of aging up to three decades. Rich, supple and creamy in texture, yet possessing remarkable length and retronasal nuance, it has to rank up there with some of the Hermitage hill's classics from other, more renowned producers. It certainly deserves a seat at that table and may be a candidate for a perfect score in the future.HK$6,795.00 -
Vinous (97)
Inky ruby color. Expansive, smoke- and mineral-accented black and blue fruits, licorice, smoky bacon, mocha, violet and licorice on the highly perfumed nose. Appealingly sweet, mineral-accented cassis, boysenberry, fruitcake, floral pastille and vanilla flavors show superb depth and become spicier with aeration. Shows superb detail and mineral lift on the youthfully tannic, extremely persistent and incisive finish, which features resonating floral and exotic spice notes.HK$5,655.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
A highly fragrant bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented black/blue fruits, Moroccan spices, olive and candied flowers, along with a smoky mineral element that builds as the wine opens up. Juicy, energetic and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet boysenberry, cherry preserve and violet pastille flavors that deepen steadily through the midpalate. The floral note resonates on the impressively long finish, which features well-knit tannins and a smoky mineral quality.HK$2,185.00

