Delas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Haute Pierre 2020
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James
Suckling
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
The color is a deep garnet red. To the nose, the "Haute Pierre" cuvée is characterized by strong spicy aromas, which show a rich, powerful body wrapped around with a more delicate yet tightly knit tannic framework. Rich and unctuous on the palate, the finish reveals some intense, licorice like flavors.
Ideal with the traditional French and "Provençale" cuisine-stews, stuffed and fine meats.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A ripe and rich Chateauneuf, but with moderate tannins for this appellation, and that gives it a certain gracefulness on the palate. Lots of bitter chocolate and damson plum character on the generous palate, but the long savory finish is decisively dry. This should age well. Drink or hold.
Other Vintages
2019-
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Robert
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Robert
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James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck
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Robert
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Jeb
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Enthusiast -
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Robert
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James
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Robert
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Robert
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Enthusiast -
Wine &
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Robert
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Robert
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Wine &
Spirits -
Wine
Spectator
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Robert
Parker -
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Spectator
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.