The wines of Chateauneuf du Pape are amongst the most prestigious of the entire Rhone Valley. These prized efforts are vinified from grapes grown to the region's stoney hilled terroirs, off vines pointedly planted to soils of varying depths. Haute Pierre Rouge is mostly Grenache with a tenth of Syrah, from vineyards on the famous red clay/ quartz soils of Chateauneuf du Pape.

$6999each $837DOZEN EACH DOZEN Delas Freres is a winery of tradition and renewal. Founded 160 years ago in Côtes du Rhône, the noble estate has been rejuvenated by the passion and energy of Famille Lallier-Deutz. From vineyards between Avignon and the ville of Orange, Haute Pierre is a negociant wine crafted with harvests of fruit by growers who have been supplying Delas for generations. Grapes are crushed, destemmed and vinified in traditional open cement tank fermenters for ten days. Maceration lasts eight to ten days, achieving a high extraction of flavours and essential carbolic acid. After de-vatting and pressing, the wine is treated to a course of malolactic fermentation, followed by fourteen months maturation in large format oak casks.

Deep garnet red in color. Haut Pierre exhibits strong spicy aromas. A rich, powerful palate with a degree of delicacy and finesse over a tightly knit tannic framework. Haut Pierre is rich and unctuous, revealing intense licorice flavours. Ideally suited to the traditional French and provencale style of braises and meats in wine sauce.

Saint-Esprit is a unique wine within the appellation of Côtes-du-Rhône. The harsh prevailing Mistral wind, spawned by variations of pressure in the Rhône's north to south microclimates, is one of the essential factors in the vines development. Cuvée Saint-Esprit comes from a small valley nestled in the northern part of the Ardèche. Vineyards here are planted on granite, to southerly facing slopes near the villages of Saint-Julien and-Saint-Alban. Authorized maximum yields are a scant 2.6 tons/acre, mostly of Syrah with a little Grenache.

$1699each $201DOZEN EACH DOZEN High seasonal rainfall, hot temperatures and abundant sunshine are characteristic of the Côtes-du-Rhône. All the grapes are de-stemmed, fermentation and maceration takes place in closed vats for approximately fifteen days. Daily pumping over ensures maximum extraction of flavour and good colour. After de-vatting, pressing and racking, malolactic fermentation is carried, a third of the wine is transferred to oak barrels to develop richness whilst ageing. The remainder is kept in vats to preserve fruit aromas, regular racking allow the components to stabilise naturally. After coming of age, Saint Esprit is assembled and bottled following a light filtering.

A deep, dark colour with hues of plum. The nose is classically Syrah, exuding berry fruit and violet, liquorice and spice. Oak derived bouquets of old violin and cedar, mahogany and musk, spicey aromas, some intense fruit, caramel and raspberry, strawberries and blackcurrant. Saint-Esprit has a full, rounded palate with long fruit, good acids and a nicely drying finish. A red of gentle persuasion, offering a rich powerful body wrapped by delicate yet tightly knit tannic framework. Unique and distinct within the wider Côtes-du-Rhône appellation, Saint Esprit is optimally crafted to mate with authentic and robust Provençale style cuisine, games, stuffings and grilled meats.

Crozes Hermitage is the largest of the northern Valley Rhône appellations. Domaine des Grands Chemins is vinified from a complex cépage of grapes which are exclusively Côtes du Rhône. All the contributing vineyard plots lie on a unique geological formation known as Le Chassis at the confluence of rivers Isère and Rhône.

$4499each $537DOZEN EACH DOZEN Crozes Hermitage is the largest of the northern Rhône appellations. Syrah is the main varietal grown, followed by smaller plantings of Marsanne and Roussanne. Fruit for Domaine des Grands Chemins is all hand picked, plot by plot, as grapes achieve optimal levels of ripeness. Batches are cold soaked and vinified in traditional open concrete fermenters. Daily cap punching and pumpovers are employed for maximum extractions over a period of ten to twelve days maceration. Upon completion, the wine is treated to fourteen months maturation in a combination of tank and small Burgundian prior use oak barrels. A regimen of regular rackings introduces the essential aeration to round out the tannins.

Deep coloured, garnet hue deepened by purple tinges. The nose shows seductive whiffs of crushed black fruit, dark cherries, blackberry and currants that evolve in the glass to reveal coffee, delicate oak and smoky notes. Peppercorns and spice add lift and harmony to the richly aromatic palate. The wine is fresh and lively in the mouth, with persistant flavours and good length, true to its origins, solidly built around a structure of solid tannins. The texture is silky and the balance fine, Des Grands Chemins pairs well with meats, feathered game or lamb au croute.

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.

$4999each $597DOZEN EACH DOZEN 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 28° to 32°C. 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.