One of the respected addresses of the Rhone Valley, Delas Freres, was founded in 1835 and continues to make world-class wines from the Northern and Southern sectors. In 1993 they were acquired by the Louis Roederer group, keeping them at the top of their game, and since 2013 the entire estate has been farmed organically.
We tasted their 2019 Gigondas, Les Reinages, yesterday, and it was outstanding. While it is not a Domaine holding, it is sourced from a long-term contract with growers prioritizing quality over quantity. Gigondas is a special village in the Southern Rhone that lies about 10 miles north of Chateauneuf du Pape and mainly features the varietals Grenache with some Syrah grown. Since it is a bit north of Chateauneuf du Pape, the climate here can be a bit cooler, and while these are still wines that can get very big and bold, they show more restraint at times than their more southern counterparts, which is further encouraged by the prevailing winds known as the Mistral.
Les Reinages is a lovely bottle that shows the uniqueness of Gigondas—made with a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah grown on red clay and stony alluvium located on the hillside and terraced vineyards. This wine is as good as many Chateauneuf du Pape's we have tried and has an incredible density of fruit that takes center stage.
Raspberry jam, spice, and meaty and earthy aromas jump out of the glass in refined and elegant fashion. There is an excellent balance between tannins and acidity, with a lush and round-mouth feel that shows good vibrancy. With some air, this starts to open up beautifully and is a bottle that could be enjoyed over a few days even with no issue; in fact, it might even be better. This is an excellent buy for those who love wines from the Rhone Valley and at friendly pricing. Currently, these are some of the only bottles available in the USA right now, and it is one of the top value buys for Gigondas in 2019.
2019 Delas Freres Gigondas Les Reinages
2019 Delas Freres Gigondas Les Reinages
One of the respected addresses of the Rhone Valley, Delas Freres, was founded in 1835 and continues to make world-class wines from the Northern and Southern sectors. In 1993 they were acquired by the Louis Roederer group, keeping them at the top of their game, and since 2013 the entire estate has been farmed organically.
We tasted their 2019 Gigondas, Les Reinages, yesterday, and it was outstanding. While it is not a Domaine holding, it is sourced from a long-term contract with growers prioritizing quality over quantity. Gigondas is a special village in the Southern Rhone that lies about 10 miles north of Chateauneuf du Pape and mainly features the varietals Grenache with some Syrah grown. Since it is a bit north of Chateauneuf du Pape, the climate here can be a bit cooler, and while these are still wines that can get very big and bold, they show more restraint at times than their more southern counterparts, which is further encouraged by the prevailing winds known as the Mistral.
Les Reinages is a lovely bottle that shows the uniqueness of Gigondas—made with a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah grown on red clay and stony alluvium located on the hillside and terraced vineyards. This wine is as good as many Chateauneuf du Pape's we have tried and has an incredible density of fruit that takes center stage.
Raspberry jam, spice, and meaty and earthy aromas jump out of the glass in refined and elegant fashion. There is an excellent balance between tannins and acidity, with a lush and round-mouth feel that shows good vibrancy. With some air, this starts to open up beautifully and is a bottle that could be enjoyed over a few days even with no issue; in fact, it might even be better. This is an excellent buy for those who love wines from the Rhone Valley and at friendly pricing. Currently, these are some of the only bottles available in the USA right now, and it is one of the top value buys for Gigondas in 2019.
