CASE PRICE = $24.99 per bottle (add 12+ quantity to your basket)
The ancient vineyards of Saint-Joseph, planted almost exclusively with Syrah, cover more than 600 acres on the right bank of the Rhone river. The grapes are planted in terraces on the rocky granite hillsides, where Delas selects only the best grapes for the Francois de Tournon.
The Francois de Tournon is a blend of grapes from the terroirs of Vion, Saint-Jean de Muzols, Mauves and Tournon.
Winemaking
The grapes for the cuvée "François de Tournon" are picked by hand, raw by raw, at optimum ripeness. Fermentation is traditional, in open-topped concrete tanks, and is preceeded by 2 days of cold maceration. It is conducted at controlled temperatures of 82°F to 90°F (28° to 32°C). Daily cap pushing down and pumping over are carried out for about 10 days. The total maceration period lasts up to 20 days. After drawing-off and pressing, malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels. The wine is matured between 10 to 14 months in oak barrels of 1 to 3 years of age. These are regularly topped up.
Tasting Notes
The color is a deep, dark ruby red with garnet wick gourmet reflection. The nose is clearly marked by delicate aromas of cassis and spices. On the palate, "François de Tournon" shows a tender, voluptuous texture that masks a good tannic structure, fine and silky. It will age well.
Ratings & Reviews
94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:"The 2009 St.-Joseph Francois de Tournon is showing even better than it did last year out of barrel. An inky/purple color is followed by notes of graphite, smoke, blackberries, cassis, road tar and truffles. With layers of fruit, an unctuous texture and tremendous purity and depth, this stunning effort is a great sleeper of this fabulous northern Rhone vintage. It should drink well for 10-15 years or longer." - Robert Parker (Dec 2011)
92 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:"Opaque ruby. Exotically perfumed nose offers dark berry liqueur, Indian spices and blood orange, plus a sexy floral note that gains strength with air. Juicy and precise, with very good depth to its sweet blackberry and mulberry flavors. Finishes with very good power and lingering florality. This sexy wine is already very easy to drink." - Josh Raynolds (Mar/Apr '12)
