Domaine Clusel-Roch
Founded by René Clusel in 1969, the winery is now run by his son, Gilbert and wife Brigitte Roch. Today the property is still tiny: just five hectares in Côte Rôtie and just half a hectare in Condrieu. The vines are planted on terraces along the Côte Rôtie, with two wooden stakes tied above each vine to help protect against the region's occasionally howling winds. Having officially converted to organic farming practices in 2002 (and now fully certified organic), most work in the vineyards is done manually, without the use of any chemical fertilizers. In order to even better express the tradition of the vineyard, the domaine only uses vines from their own selection of Syrah plantings, which are grafted in their own small nursery. According to Gilbert, these traditional Ampuis vines (vieilles serines) are less productive and give more complex aromas than available modern selections. When harvest time comes, the grapes are manually selected, and fermented with indigenous yeasts, furthering the site purity in each wine. With annual production hovering at about 1250 cases per year, Domaine Clusel-Roch is able to focus all their attention on each aspect of the winemaking, from vine to bottle (and it shows).
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Northern Rhône France
From the Coteaux de Chery (generally regarded as the best) which undoubtedly contributes to the richness and aromatics of pure violets. Richly textured, quite full bodied, yet with freshness and minerality. Great finish.
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Northern Rhône France
This is seriously lovely with bright Syrah fruit, spices and a lovely finish.
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Northern Rhône France
As usual quite a crunchy, tight style of Condrieu which never gets oily, but is brightly aromatic and fresh on the palate, expanding into a palate-coating and fascinatingly complex length.
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Northern Rhône France
Even bluer and blacker expression than the 'tradition'. Very expressive nose, and while oak is a component it is the fruit flavours which easily domainate. Lots of volume and very pure. Just lovely and no wonder this is being bottled separately for the first time this vintage - its really tastes like a wine from a specific site with a real personality.
