2009 Delas Frères Crozes-Hermitage Domaine Les Grands Chemins
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A smoking Crozes-Hermitage, the 2009 Delas Frères Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins delivers a wild bouquet of crunchy black fruits, loamy earth, meat, olive, hints of wood, and leafy tobacco. Upfront and beautifully fruited, yet with solid underlying structure and good acidity, this delicious red needs air to show at its best, and should continue to shine for a 5-8 years. More than a little impressive and drinking way above its price point, this should not be missed by northern Rhône lovers and is worth the effort to track down!
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Robert Parker
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Dark ruby. Raspberry and cherry on the bright, floral-accented nose. Juicy and precise, offering sweet red fruit flavors that pick up weight and smokiness with air. A touch of candied licorice comes up on the finish, which shows good energy and length.
There is a lot of good stuff in the 2010, but the real stunner is the 2009 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins. Revealing abundant notes of tar, cassis, black raspberries, tapenade and earth in its rich, full-bodied, stunning personality, it should drink well for 10-15 years. Another great negociant with significant vineyard holdings, and at the top of their game, is undeniably Delas, owned by the Louis Roederer/Deutz Champagne firm. Since they acquired Delas well over a decade ago, this firm has been under the management of Burgundian Jacques Grange, who has done an outstanding job producing a sensational array of wines. The 2009s appear to be their finest overall performances to date, and the 2010s are noteworthy successors in a more restrained, mineral dominated, crisper style. Jacques Grange did a fabulous job with his Cote Roties in both 2009 and 2010, the latter being a somewhat more challenging vintage in this appellation. The Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes (until the 2009 vintage, this offering was known as the Hermitage Marquise de la Tourette) is sensational in both 2010 and 2009. Three thousand cases of this cuvee are produced, and the wine is aged in French oak, 50% new. Importer: Maison Marques et Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 587-2000
Deep ruby. Fresh red fruit and floral aromas are given depth by suggestions of licorice and black cardamom. Ripe blackberry and bitter cherry flavors show good clarity and shut down slightly with air. The finish repeats the cherry note and lingers with good, chewy tenacity.