2024 Delas Frères Viognier Vin De Pays D'Oc

Delas Frères was founded in 1835 by Charles Audibert and Philippe Delas. By 1879, the winery had already gained a global reputation and won its first gold medals in Sydney. In 1924, the original name, Audibert & Delas, was changed to Delas Frères. To meet the growing demand for wine, after World War II, an investment was made in the acquisition of vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage. By the 1960s, Delas Frères was one of the leading wineries in the Rhône, with its own vineyards in Hermitage, Cornas, Côte Rôtie, and Condrieu. To this day, Delas Frères owns top vineyards in Hermitage such as Les Bessards and Marquise de la Tourette, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Côte Rôtie, Cornas, Condrieu, St. Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Côtes du Rhône and the Ventoux region.

Saint Esprit Blanc is a blend of Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Viognier from vineyards located on the right bank of the Rhône. After pressing, the must is cold-stored in sealed steel tanks for 24 hours. The wine then ferments in stainless steel tanks at 18°C. Lactic fermentation is prevented to preserve the wine's natural freshness and finesse. After blending, the wine is stored in stainless steel tanks.

The grapes, primarily sourced from vineyards in the southern Drôme region, are harvested at night to maximize the coolness during the maturing process. After entering the cellar, the grapes are pressed and stored in stainless steel tanks for 24 hours. Fermentation takes place at a maximum temperature of 24°C. To preserve the wine's fresh and fruity character, it does not undergo lactic fermentation. The wine is stored in stainless steel tanks until bottling. The wine is lightly filtered before bottling.

In the glass, the Delas Frères Viognier is a bright straw yellow with golden hues. The nose reveals the typical aromatic notes of Viognier: apricot, peach, exotic fruit, and citrus. The palate is soft and fresh, with hints of dried fruit in the finish.