Delas Frères 'Sainte-Epine' Saint-Joseph Rouge 2022

This wine was reputed in the 16th century for its delicacy, and was poured at the table of the kings of France. It was the Jesuits of Tournon who gave the area its current name in the 17th century. Between 1956 and 1969, all the vineyards from this area which used to be named Côtes du Rhône were regrouped and established under the appellation Saint-Joseph.

Almost a micro-appellation, the south-facing Sainte-Épine hill is an exception. It was once the home to the Commanderie de Sainte-Épine-Lès-Tournon which belonged to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. The Sainte-Épine plot, covering around 2.5 acres in the commune of Saint-Jean de Muzols in the heart of the appellation, has soils of decomposed granite soil resembling that of the Hermitage hill's Les Bessards with the addition of metamorphic schist. There is only one team allowed to pick the grapes in this vineyard: the Delas team. Sainte-Épine's terroir and exposure are among the most coveted in the appellation.

This cuvée is a vineyard plot selection only made in the very best years and production is deliberately limited to 4,000 bottles per year.