2019 Delas Freres Hermitage Les Grandes Vignes 'Ligne de Crete' 750ml

Overview

Delas Freres Ligne de Crete is a rare single-vineyard Hermitage produced from Syrah grown high above the Rhône in the Les Grandes Vignes lieu-dit. Planted on granite soils, this 2.7-hectare site gives a powerful yet finely detailed expression of Hermitage, combining dark fruit, smoke, spice and pronounced mineral character with exceptional structure and longevity.

Vineyard

Ligne de Crete comes exclusively from Les Grandes Vignes, a high-altitude 2.7-hectare vineyard within the Hermitage appellation. The site is planted entirely to Syrah on granite soils, producing a distinctive expression shaped by elevation, exposure and the mineral character of the terroir.

Vintage

The 2019 growing season featured a mild spring followed by steady vine development and very healthy foliage. Ripening came early under favourable conditions, resulting in highly concentrated fruit and low juice yields. The vintage produced deeply structured wines with strong potential for long-term ageing.

Winemaking

The grapes were harvested by hand and vinified with approximately 80% whole clusters. Fermentation and maceration lasted around ten days, with extraction managed through pump-overs and punch-downs according to daily tasting. Malolactic fermentation took place in barrel. The wine was matured for 21 months, with new oak kept to a restrained proportion.

Critic Reviews

97/100 — Vinous
“Expansive, smoke- and mineral-accented black and blue fruits… superb detail and mineral lift… extremely persistent and incisive finish.”
Published December 2022

97/100 — Wine Enthusiast
“Whiffs of espresso, ore and charred meat mingle into thunderous flavors of crème de cassis and roasted plums…”
Tasted March 2022

96/100 — Decanter
Tasted October 2020

95/100 — Wine Spectator
Tasted February 2022

93/100 — Wine & Spirits Magazine
Tasted February 2022

Specifications

• Vintage: 2019
• Producer: Delas Freres
• Country: France
• Region: Northern Rhône
• Appellation: Hermitage
• Vineyard: Les Grandes Vignes
• Cuvée: Ligne de Crete
• Grape Variety: 100% Syrah
• Vineyard Area: 2.7 hectares
• Soil: Granite
• Harvest: Hand harvested
• Whole Cluster: Approximately 80%
• Fermentation & Maceration: Approximately 10 days
• Malolactic Fermentation: In barrel
• Maturation: 21 months
• Production: 8,611 bottles
• Cellaring Potential: Up to 30 years