An off-the-hook effort and possibly the wine of the vintage in Saint Joseph, the 2011 Francois De Tournon (100% Syrah aged 16 months in 30% new French oak) boasts incredible aromatics, full-bodied richness and depth, and masses of sweet, mouth-coating tannin. Smoked meats, currants, blackberry, crushed stone and pan drippings are just some of the nuances here, and this fabulously concentrated, impressive 2011 will drink nicely for 12-15 years.
Run by Jacques Grange and Claire Darnaud, Delas, which is owned by the Louis Roederer-Deutz Champagne firm, is producing no nonsense, extremely high quality efforts that are near the top of each of their respective appellations. I was consistently impressed by the wines, and they stood out in all of the larger tastings that I was able to do. In addition, I was able to taste the wines again at the domain, and again once back in the states. These are serious efforts worthy of attention. As to the Hermitages, they produce two, a standard Domaine des Tourettes, and in top vintages, the Les Bessards. In addition to the top-flight Cote Rotie and Hermitage releases, this estate produces a bevy of high quality efforts from Cornas and Saint Joseph.
Importer: Maison Marques et Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 587-2000
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