The 2019 Delas Freres Hermitage les Bessards Syrah is a highly acclaimed wine from the Northern Rhone region of France. This varietal Syrah boasts a notable 15.0% alcohol content and has been widely praised by several prominent reviewers.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine an exceptional score of 99, describing it as "pure Hermitage magic." He notes its "dense purple hue" and "brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs." Dunnuck emphasizes the wine's complexity, structure, and balance, suggesting that it will evolve beautifully over the next 20-30 years.
Vinous also gave the wine a high score of 97, highlighting its "opaque ruby-red" color and "highly perfumed and expansive bouquet." The review mentions flavors of "black raspberry, boysenberry, kirsch, allspice, and licorice," with a finish that is "chewy, vibrant, and impressively long."
Wine Enthusiast’s Anna Lee C. Iijima echoes these sentiments, giving the wine a score of 97. She points out that the wine is sourced from the oldest plot of Les Bessards and praises its "massive structure" and "lip-staining blueberry and cassis flavors." Iijima also notes the wine's "perfumed lift of violet" and "lingering notes of smoked tea leaves and vanilla."
Wine Spectator also rated this wine at 97, describing it as "loaded with dark and winey plum sauce, blackberry paste, and fig compote flavors." The publication highlights its "terrific underpinning of terroir" and significant aging potential, recommending it be best enjoyed from 2024 through 2039.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provided a slightly lower score of 93+, mentioning classic notes of "crushed stone and cassis" and a "creamy palate" with a "silky and licorice-tinged finish." The review suggests the wine might have been at an awkward stage post-bottling but showed improvement with air.
Decanter awarded the wine a near-perfect score of 98, commending its "remarkable tannic finesse" and "great sense of focus and direction." The review mentions flavors of "shoe polish, juniper, sloe, and damson juice," and notes the wine's "incredible finesse and seamless character."
Overall, the 2019 Delas Freres Hermitage les Bessards Syrah is a highly praised wine, recognized for its complexity, structure, and aging potential. With multiple reviewers highlighting its exceptional qualities, it stands out as a noteworthy offering from the Hermitage appellation.