Francois de Tournon
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2032
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted leg of lamb, grilled ribeye steak, wild mushroom stew
✨ Technical Specifications
Delas Frères' Saint-Joseph 'François de Tournon' is a masterful tribute to the historical figure Cardinal François de Tournon, who famously introduced the wines of this steep, granite-soiled region to the French royal court of King Francis I in the 16th century. Crafted entirely from Syrah, this cuvée is sourced from select hillside vineyards in the southern sector of the Saint-Joseph appellation, particularly around the communes of Mauves, Tournon, and St-Jean-de-Muzols. The vines cling to steep, south and south-east facing granite terraces that demand manual cultivation. After traditional fermentation in open concrete tanks, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for approximately 10 to 14 months. This careful upbringing yields a wine of deep ruby color, characterized by aromas of dark berries, cracked black pepper, and delicate violet notes, underpinned by a distinct mineral backbone and fine-grained tannins.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1835 by Charles Audibert and Philippe Delas, Maison Delas Frères is an iconic Rhône Valley estate headquartered in Tain-l'Hermitage. Now part of the Champagne Louis Roederer family of estates, the house underwent a major quality renaissance through modern cellar innovations and meticulous vineyard stewardship across both the Northern and Southern Rhône. Delas manages prestigious parcels across heralded appellations including Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Renowned for its precision winemaking, the estate crafts deeply expressive, terroir-driven wines, from powerful, mineral-tinged Syrahs like Les Bessards and La Landonne to aromatic, textural Viogniers like Clos Boucher.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Syrah
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13-14%