2016 CÔTE RÔTIE La Germine Domaine Benjamin et David Duclaux, Lea & Sandeman

CÔTE RÔTIE

2017 La Germine Domaine Benjamin et David Duclaux

IN STOCK
Grapes Viognier, Syrah
Colour Red
Origin France, Rhône
District Northern Rhône
Village Côte Rôtie
ABV 13.5%

2017 La Germine 3% Viognier. Sweet violets on the nose, sweet vibrant raspberry and hints of rose, black cherry, a touch of roasted herbs too,elegance and purity in abundance, this is an exercise in Côte Rôtie finesse. Drinking range: 2022 - 2031 L&S (May 2020)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

From 30-year-old vines on sloping terraces to the south of the appellation, grown on gneiss soils. The fruit is 20% whole-bunch and spends 20 months in demi-muids and barriques, 20% new. It has rich, fulsome blackberry fruit scents with well-integrated new oak notes. Good acidity and nicely polished tannins frame the intense fruit, and point towards the long finish. A ripe Côte-Rôtie with good fruit, but it needs time for the oak to settle. (Part of 'Best value Rhône 2017 wines') Drinking range: 2021 - 2026 Rating: 93 Matt Walls, Decanter.com (Nov 20218)

Like the other Côte Rôties from Duclaux, the 2017 Cote Rotie La Germine is medium-bodied, emphasizing the elegance and delicacy of the southern end of the appellation. A liniment-like minty, herbal note marks the nose, joined by red raspberries. This is ripe, marked by supple tannins and a creamy texture, without going overboard, with a juicy, silky finish. Drinking range: 2026 - 2030 Rating: 92-94 Joe Czerwinski, www.robertparker.com (Oct 20218)

Deep, shimmering violet. Assertive, mineral- and spice-tinged black raspberry, blueberry, incense and peony aromas carry a spicy topnote. Ripe red and blue liqueur flavors are braced by a spine of smoky minerality and show building spiciness and a hint of vanilla. Finishes with persistent floral and spice qualities, discreet tannins and sharp delineation. Made with 20% whole clusters and 20% new oak. Drinking range: 2023 - 2030 Rating: 92 Josh Raynolds, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2020)

Domaine Benjamin et David Duclaux

Over the past decade, the quietly unassuming Benjamin & David Duclaux have steadfastly raised the profile of the region with the quality of their wines. This is undoubtedly one of the top domaines in Côte-Rôtie and if you like elegant, bright Burgundian style Syrah then there is no better estate to seek out.

Founded in 1928 by Frédéric Caillet, the great-grandfather of brothers Benjamin and David and then developed by their father Edmond, the domaine consists of 5.8 hectares of vines above Tupin et Semons, in the southern end of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, where the bedrock is gneiss and granite.

Here the brothers are aiming to make the elegant style of wine which this rocky vineyard produces - and they certainly succeed. The Chana (Syrah with 7% Viognier) is a cuvée that is simply a 'gourmandise' , supple, aromatic, fresh, pure. The Germine (Syrah with 3% Viognier) and the Maison Rouge (100% Syrah) are more structured and, while they can be drunk young, they will give their best with some age. In 2018 a new cuvée was added, Côteaux de Tupin, 100% and whole bunch with barrel ferment, these are immense wines and need patience. The Domaine has also produced a small volume of Condrieu since 2014 from a rented vineyard that they tend to.

The wine-making is gentle, there is 20% whole-bunch in the Germine , but otherwise the grapes are de-stemmed. The Chana is aged in demi-muids, the others in smaller barrels - the Maison Rouge getting 40% new wood. All the cuvées, with the exception of Côteaux de Tupin , are ready to drink after 2-3 years but will age very nicely too. Production is limited to a total of around 2000 cases a year for the whole domaine.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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