- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
WINEMAKER NOTES
From the first pour, the 2021 Delas Côtes-du-Rhône St. Esprit Blanc captures the sun-drenched spirit of the Rhône Valley with all the precision and polish one expects from Delas Frères. A mere 15,000 bottles crafted annually from select parcels on the right bank, this wine is a rare, finely tuned expression of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Viognier—grapes that whisper of Provençal heritage yet sing with modern, crystalline clarity.
The bouquet unfurls with arresting purity: delicate white blossoms, ripe orchard fruits, and crushed citrus peel, underlined by subtle hints of lychee and starfruit. One is immediately struck by the interplay of Mediterranean exuberance and alpine lift—a harmony born of mistral-swept vineyards, stainless steel precision, and a deliberate avoidance of malolactic fermentation. This is not a Rhône white that leans into opulence, but rather one that celebrates nuance, texture, and vitality.
On the palate, the St. Esprit Blanc is both generous and finely etched, with a tactile energy that carries its golden-straw complexion straight through to a mineral-tinged finish. The fruit—pear, apricot, and lemon zest—dances above a core of tension and saline freshness. Its structure, tight-knit and alert, speaks to Delas’ philosophy of preserving freshness over weight. There's no oak to cloud the clarity; no heaviness to dull its charm. Instead, what remains is a bright, elegant wine that lingers with grace and conviction.
This vintage is a testament to the unique alchemy of site, climate, and craft. Grown in the heart of a region where white wines comprise just a fraction of total production, the 2021 St. Esprit Blanc stands as a quiet masterpiece among louder reds. It is perfect for seafood, citrus-marinated poultry, or simply as an aperitif that commands attention without insistence.
For those who believe Côtes-du-Rhône Blancs are secondary players, the St. Esprit is a compelling counterpoint. Here is a wine that punches well above its appellation, delivering the precision of a far pricier bottle, and offering a lens into the lesser-sung but deeply rewarding white wines of the southern Rhône. Seek it out—not because it demands to be collected, but because it deserves to be opened.
Alcohol: 13.5%
The bouquet unfurls with arresting purity: delicate white blossoms, ripe orchard fruits, and crushed citrus peel, underlined by subtle hints of lychee and starfruit. One is immediately struck by the interplay of Mediterranean exuberance and alpine lift—a harmony born of mistral-swept vineyards, stainless steel precision, and a deliberate avoidance of malolactic fermentation. This is not a Rhône white that leans into opulence, but rather one that celebrates nuance, texture, and vitality.
On the palate, the St. Esprit Blanc is both generous and finely etched, with a tactile energy that carries its golden-straw complexion straight through to a mineral-tinged finish. The fruit—pear, apricot, and lemon zest—dances above a core of tension and saline freshness. Its structure, tight-knit and alert, speaks to Delas’ philosophy of preserving freshness over weight. There's no oak to cloud the clarity; no heaviness to dull its charm. Instead, what remains is a bright, elegant wine that lingers with grace and conviction.
This vintage is a testament to the unique alchemy of site, climate, and craft. Grown in the heart of a region where white wines comprise just a fraction of total production, the 2021 St. Esprit Blanc stands as a quiet masterpiece among louder reds. It is perfect for seafood, citrus-marinated poultry, or simply as an aperitif that commands attention without insistence.
For those who believe Côtes-du-Rhône Blancs are secondary players, the St. Esprit is a compelling counterpoint. Here is a wine that punches well above its appellation, delivering the precision of a far pricier bottle, and offering a lens into the lesser-sung but deeply rewarding white wines of the southern Rhône. Seek it out—not because it demands to be collected, but because it deserves to be opened.
Alcohol: 13.5%
The colour has a golden straw hue with green tinges. The main aromas are reminiscent of white flowers and yellow fruit, enhanced by touches of exotic and citrus fruit. On the palate, the wine is alert, seductively suave and fresh.