The 2020 Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards is a Syrah that hails from the Northern Rhone region of France, specifically the prestigious Hermitage appellation. This wine has garnered significant attention and praise from several notable reviewers, making it a standout in its category.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate rated it 97 points, describing it as "looking terrific out of barrel." Joe Czerwinski highlighted its "classic aromas of crushed stone, black cherries, and cassis" and noted its full-bodied nature with "wonderfully silky, rich tannins and a long, licorice-tinged finish." He predicts this wine will "drink well for close to two decades."
Vinous also awarded the wine an impressive 98 points. Josh Raynolds emphasized its "inky violet" color and "assertive aromas of blackcurrant, cherry-cola, and violet." He also mentioned the presence of "olive, smoked meat, and vanilla nuances" that enhance with aeration. Raynolds described the palate as "intense, mineral-driven" with "black and blue fruit, floral pastille, and smoky bacon flavors." He noted the "impressively long, penetrating finish" with "youthfully chewy tannins and exotic spice notes."
Jeb Dunnuck rated the wine 97+ points, calling it a "behemoth" with "palate-saturating levels of fruit and texture." Dunnuck appreciated its "blue fruits, truffle, burning embers, sappy spring flowers, and liquid rock-like notes." He praised the wine's "full-bodied richness, ripe, polished, yet building tannins," and forecasted a longevity of up to 30 years, suggesting it deserves 5-7 years in the cellar.
James Suckling also gave it 97 points, highlighting its "remarkable meaty power, smoky mystery, and inky depth." Stuart Pigott noted the wine's "bold and refined structure" and described the tannins as "slowly swelling to a stunning crescendo at the fabulous finish." He suggested it is drinkable now but will be best from 2025.
Wine Spectator awarded it 95 points, noting its "core of clearly defined red and black cherry compote flavors" and "racy graphite spine." JM recommended drinking from 2024 through 2038.
Finally, Decanter rated it 96 points, describing it as "full-bodied, fine, and tightly wound" with a "tense, saline style." The wine is made from the oldest parcel of lieu-dit Les Bessards, fermented in concrete, and aged for 12 months in new and one-year-old barrels.
Overall, the 2020 Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its complexity, depth, and potential for aging.