2016 Hermitage les Bessards from Delas Freres, Rhone

There are many celebrated vintages out there, but the 2016 Hermitage les Bessards, hailing from the lauded house of Delas Freres, carries a reputation matched by few. With deep roots in the steep granite inclines of the wine-drenched Hermitage hill, its presence serves as an eloquent testimony to the amalgamation of terroir and vinicultural virtuosity.

Distinctive vintage amid magnificent terroir

The year 2016 was exceptional in Hermitage, a sub-region in Rhone. Winter was mild followed by a spring that allowed traditional bud burst. The month of July was hot and August added to the slow maturation process that culminated in a relatively late harvest. The fruit picked promised sugar concentration and good acidity, the backbone of any remarkable Syrah.

Such trademark vinicultural grace is manifested in each taste of the 2016 Hermitage les Bessards. Yielding grapes from aged vines set atop granite bedrock, it presents an accurate depiction of its birthplace.

Soulful expression of Syrah

This blue-chip fine wine arouses with staggering purity and concentration. Blackberry and cassis notes take centrestage, flanked by suggestive olive and cured meat nuances typical to Syrah from warmer climates. On the palate, it boasts Newtonian density, balanced out by ethereal radiance derived from well-integrated tannins and judicious acidity.

While this full-bodied Syrah is immediately intriguing, it's the stunning length that solidifies its position as an investment-grade wine. The luxurious finish, reminiscent of powdered rock and lingering dark fruits, is an affirmation of the potential and the prestige this wine carries.

The 2016 Hermitage les Bessards doesn't merely align with Delas Freres' reputation for blending tradition with innovation- it elevates it. Within its depths, one can find the echoes of the superiority of countless past vintages, alongside the promise and potential of many more to come.