This wine comes from Delas's oldest vines in the area of Hermitage called Les Bessards. This climat is in the heart of the appellation, and is famous for producing particularly deep, structured wines. The grapes were picked by hand.
After two days' cold maceration, the wine fermented at 28-32oC, with daily punching down and pumping over for the first ten days, followed by a further ten days' skin contact. Malolactic and sixteen months' ageing took place in French oak barriques, with seventy percent new wood.
Still youthful, showing primary aromas of blackberry and smoke, shading to more developed olive and grilled meat notes. Very full-bodied and intense, with fabulous fluidity for its size. A classic expression of the hill of Hermitage.