Delas, Hermitage, Les Bessards 2011

Received In Original Wooden Case

99 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Even better and one of the top two to three wines in the vintage, the 2011 Hermitage Les Bessards (100% Syrah that spent 16 months in 70% new French oak) possesses an inky purple color to go with a fabulously rich, pure bouquet of smoked earth, ground pepper, underbrush and licorice that’s supported by awesome black raspberry and cassis-styled fruit

94 Points Wine Spectator

A dark, muscular, slightly rugged style, with chunky-edged grip supporting loam, bittersweet cocoa, steeped black currant and charcoal notes, with buried acidity emerging on the finish. This should be tamed by cellaring as the smoldering edge settles into the background.

94 Points CellarTracker Member

I believe this is at the front of the drinking window here. The nose is youthful mineral driven fruit. The palate hits with youthful raspberry cola and a lot of it here. Clove and some mature plums and figs also present. I'd rate this wine a 93 alone on the entry. It gets a little more complex to the middle but also gets noticeably darker with tobacco and herb and smoked mulling spices dancing around. This wine finishes very smooth and rounded, with the finish really being the only hint that this one has the finesse of age really starting to work in it's favor. This wine definitely was made to go with duck, game, or charcuterie that consists of smoked meats and pungent cheeses. Since this is America, and we have a tendency to open wine without significant food accoutrement, I will say that this one did pretty well all by itself. Although I can't necessarily say that it would have done so 5 years ago when the finish was likely much more jagged and acidic. Drink now to 2040. On day 2, this one had gotten one full shade darker and more complex. It added some bacon fat from the front to the middle, and the front lost the raspberry cola notes and turned to more of a black cherry cola. The structure of this wine is insane. Although it is in a really good spot now with a really healthy decant, this one will probably outlive the cork that was put in the bottle! 12/27/2021