2018 CÔTE RÔTIE La Germine Domaine Benjamin et David Duclaux, Lea & Sandeman

CÔTE RÔTIE

2018 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%

From several plots in the south of Cote Rotie on the slopes of Tupin, Coteau de Tupin, Bassenon, Collet and Maison Rouge. This is the calling card of the domain being the biggest production 80% destemmed with only a minimal amount of new oak. Impressive, deeply coloured, dark plum. You get a real feel for the minerality on the nose, a hint of spice too, blackcurrant, violets, redcurrant a lovely flowing wine, dark cherry notes, with super fine tannin, a fresh acidity really pulls it all into shape, purposeful and precise, this is Cote Rotie as it should be and the hallmark of the Duclaux brothers is stamped all over it, that being pure, vibrant and elegant. 2025 - 2040 L&S (Mar 2021)

*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.

The only red here that incorporates Viognier, the 2018 Côte Rôtie La Germine is 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier brought up in mostly used barrels, with just 20% being new. Its deep ruby/plum hue is followed by gorgeous notes of black raspberries, spring flowers, orange blossom, and sappy herbs. It's medium-bodied, elegant, and lively on the palate, with light tannins and the balance and class to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for over a decade. Drinking range: 2022 - 2035 Rating: 93 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Nov 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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