An assemblage of fruit from the terroirs of Vion, Saint Jean de Muzols, Mauves and Tournon. The ancient vineyards of Saint Joseph, planted almost exclusively to Syrah, occupy a few hundred highly precious acres on the right bank of the Rhone. Vines are grown to terraces on the rocky granite hillsides, where Delas select only the finest harvests for Francois de Tournon.
Grapes are picked by hand, row by row, as the berries achieve optimal ripeness. Parcels are treated to forty eight hours of cold soak followed by a traditional vinification in open topped concrete fermenters at 28C to 32C. A routine of daily cap push downs and pumpovers are employed over the course of ten days, total macerations may last up to twenty. After drawing off and pressing, the batches complete their malolactic in oak. The wine is matured between ten and fourteen months in a selection of one to three year old prior use oak barrels, regularly topped up as the angels take their share.
Deep, dark ruby red colour with garnet hues. The nose is clearly marked by delicate aromas of cassis and spice. A tender, voluptuous texture, fine and silky, expressing lively berry fruit flavours, cherries and licorice over a solid tannin structure. It will match all savoury foods, the ripest cheeses and richest desserts.
