# Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes (2023)

- **Producer:** Maison Delas Frères
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, plum, violet, black pepper, liquorice, cedar, smoke

## About this wine

Maison Delas Frères, established in 1835 in the Northern Rhône Valley, is renowned for producing classic wines from prestigious appellations. Owned by Champagne Deutz, part of the Louis Roederer group, the estate combines traditional heritage with modern winemaking facilities in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. The 'Les Launes' cuvée showcases the fruit-forward elegance of Northern Rhône Syrah, blending grapes from alluvial riverbeds and granitic slopes across the Crozes-Hermitage appellation.

## Interesting facts

- Delas Frères has sourced grapes from Crozes-Hermitage for over a century.
- Owned by Champagne Deutz, part of the Champagne Louis Roederer family group.
- Blends fruit from alluvial plains with granitic hillside vineyards for balance.

## Food pairing

The ripe tannins, pronounced intensity, and vibrant acidity of Northern Rhône Syrah make it an ideal counterpart to rich, savory proteins and dark meat dishes. Earthy spices and herb rubs mirror the natural black pepper, licorice, and floral notes of the wine, while rich protein cuts soften its firm tannic frame.

## Wine making process

Grapes are 100% destemmed to highlight pure fruit character before undergoing temperature-controlled fermentation in open concrete and stainless steel tanks at 28°C–32°C. After complete malolactic fermentation, roughly 80% of the wine is matured in stainless steel tanks to retain fresh fruit aromas, while approximately 20% is aged in used French oak barriques to soften and refine tannin structure.