Delas Freres   Hermitage les Bessards

2006 Hermitage les Bessards

By Delas Freres

The 2006 Hermitage les Bessards from Delas Freres, Rhône

Tasting the 2006 Hermitage les Bessards from Delas Freres is an enigmatic journey through a unique vintage that offers much to the discerning wine investor. This vintage hails from Rhône, a region renowned for its exceptional Syrah. The 2006 vintage encapsulates the essence of balance and harmony between the fruit, earth and climate.

 

A Celebratory Blend of Tradition and Innovation

From the legendary Delas Freres estate comes the 2006 Hermitage les Bessards. This is a steadfast testament to their commitment to producing wines of distinctive character and depth. The estate has seemingly embraced both time-honoured techniques and innovative practices to conjure up a manifestation of the notable 2006 harvest.

The wine itself holds a captivating allure. Its rich velvety tones of blackcurrant fruits mingle with subtler notes of smoked meat, graphite and raw tannins. As always, the estate has demonstrated impeccable skill in marrying power with elegance.

 

Balancing Acts and Harmonious Duets

For those invested in the Rhône region, the weather conditions in 2006 stand out. A challenging year due to an unseasonably cool start to the growing season progressed into an exceptionally warm summer. These extremes have unexpectedly gifted this wine its ability to blend robustness with finesse.

The nuance is easy to discern: the ripe Syrah grapes have contributed robust, sun-drenched fruit flavours contrasting with relished minerality stemming from the distinct granite-rich terroir of Les Bessards. This results in a wine that reconciles opposing characteristics - a quality that collectors and connoisseurs are often quick to venerate.

In the 2006 Hermitage les Bessards from Delas Freres, we discover a wine that pairs bold expressions with subdued whispers, creating a symphony of flavours renowned by connoisseurs and investors alike. A truly promising asset for those seeking out enjoyable returns from their carefully honed portfolios.

Market price (CAD)

$3,920.00

12x75cl

Highest score

97

POP score

138.82

Scores and tasting notes

97

One of the wines of the vintage is unquestionably the 2006 Hermitage les Bessards, which comes from one of the greatest terroirs for Syrah in the world. Still youthful and vibrant, with those classic graphite and crushed rock characteristics that define this cuvee, as well as loads of black fruits, toasted spice and dried flowers, this beauty is full-bodied, uber-concentrated and gorgeously pure. It’s still 4-5 years away from full maturity, and is going to keep for 2-3 decades.

Jeb Dunnuck - The Wine Advocate, 28 February 2017

Vintage performance