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
Established in 1835 in the northern Rhône valley, Delas Frères has evolved from its origins in Tournon-sur-Rhône into one of the region's benchmark estates, acquiring its defining identity under the Delas family before becoming part of the Roederer Collection in 1993. Situated at its architecturally celebrated, gravity-fed winery in Tain-l'Hermitage, the house manages prestigious estate vineyards alongside curated négociant partnerships. The viticultural foundation is centered on the steep, south-facing granitic amphitheaters of Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Côte-Rôtie, supplemented by alluvial terraces in Crozes-Hermitage. Farmed under certified organic and High Environmental Value Level 3 standards, Delas practices rigorous parcel-by-parcel selections and gentle, temperature-regulated fermentations designed to preserve fruit purity and structural tension. Renowned for sculptural Syrah and opulent, mineral-laced Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, Delas Frères expresses classic Rhône typicity through iconic cuvées such as Hermitage Les Bessards, Domaine des Tourettes, and Saint-Joseph Sainte-Épine.
🍇 Grapes
Syrah
🍷 ABV
13-14%