Delas : La Galopine 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for La Galopine 2024 by Delas

Tasting

Colour

The colour of this Condrieu reveals a golden hue, characteristic of Viognier grapes harvested at full maturity.

Nose

The nose is intense and aromatic, evoking notes of ripe stone fruits such as peach and apricot, accompanied by floral touches of violet and white blossom, at times enhanced by hints of citrus. A subtle mineral dimension, inherited from the granitic soils of Condrieu, completes this generous aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is full and rich, carried by the naturally enveloping texture of Viognier. This opulence is balanced by a distinct mineral tension, delivering a sensation of freshness that avoids any heaviness. The finish lingers with beautiful persistence, marked by a mineral echo characteristic of the terroir.

Food and Wine Pairings

La Galopine 2024 will be a delightful companion to delicate fish, steamed or poached, served with a butter or citrus sauce, as well as roast poultry with fine herbs. It also proves an excellent partner for creamy pasta dishes, shellfish, or cuisine with gentle spices, such as a chicken tagine with dried fruits. As for cheeses, it pairs ideally with soft cheeses with a bloomy rind.

Serving and Cellaring

La Galopine 2024 can be cellared for approximately five years. It is best served chilled, at around 10 to 12°C (50 to 54°F), in order to preserve the balance between aromatic richness and mineral freshness.

A Condrieu from Maison Delas Between Opulence and Mineral Tension

The Estate

Delas, a négociant house founded in 1835 in Tournon-sur-Rhône, has established itself as a benchmark producer in the northern Rhône Valley. Taken over in 1870 by the Delas and Audibert families, it officially became Maison Delas Frères in 1924. Since 1993, it has belonged to the Rouzaud family, also owners of Louis Roederer, within the Roederer Collection group. Marc Hoellinger has served as managing director since 2023, while Jacques Grange has been cellar master since 1997. The house combines estate-owned vineyards in Hermitage with partnerships with winegrowers in appellations such as Condrieu.

The Vineyard

La Galopine comes from selected plots in Condrieu, located on the right bank of the Rhône, in communes such as Vérin, Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône and Chavanay. The Viognier vines are rooted in steeply terraced slopes with poor, acidic granitic soils, which naturally limit yields and encourage beautiful aromatic concentration in the grapes.

The Vintage

The 2024 vintage stands out as a particularly successful year for this cuvée, allowing it to fully express the balance between aromatic richness and mineral freshness that is unique to the Condrieu terroir.

Vinification and Ageing

For the production of La Galopine 2024, whole grapes are gently pressed, with a rigorous separation between free-run and press juice. The must rests overnight at 10°C before a light settling, then alcoholic fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks at 15°C, continuing between 16 and 18°C. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately blocked to preserve the freshness of the wine. Weekly lees stirring is carried out until Christmas, followed by twelve months of ageing, mainly in stainless steel tanks, with part of the cuvée matured in Burgundy barrels.

Grape Variety

100% Viognier.