Benjamin et David Duclaux - La Germine 2013

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Plenty of fruit, with a very appealing texture, purer and more open than Maison-Rouge.

About the estate:

This historic estate owes much to the discipline and tenacity of the two Duclaux brothers, who practice impeccable viticulture on the finest hillsides in the southern part of the appellation. The two Côte-Rôties they produce are refined and elegant, bearing the distinctive character of the granite-rich terroirs in the southern part of the appellation.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

After twenty months of aging in oak, this blend of Syrah and 5% Viognier offers a subtle yet distinctive bouquet of pepper, black fruit, and violet. On the palate, it is very well-balanced, revealing a refined, full-bodied, and long-lasting profile, before showing a bit more muscle in a finish that leaves an impression of power. A wine that is very much in keeping with the appellation, well-suited for aging.

About the estate:

On their 6-hectare estate, founded by their great-grandfather in 1928, the Duclaux brothers focus exclusively on the Côte-Rôtie appellation (two vintages, La Germine and Maison Rouge) and have no intention of producing wines from other AOCs. Their vineyard, located in the southern part of the appellation on gneiss soil, covers the steep slopes of Tupin-et-Semons.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2013 Côte-Rôtie La Germine embodies the estate’s elegant, fresh, and light style. Raspberry, floral notes, cherry, and a hint of mint blend beautifully. It offers medium-bodied depth and richness, well-integrated acidity, and fine tannins. It is already very enjoyable but will age gracefully over the next decade.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

A beautifully structured wine. It is fresh and lively, yet not harsh. The wine has a lovely structure and slightly tart fruit. Grapes from the south-southeast-facing Tupin hillside produce a lovely, vibrant fruit here.

About the estate:

Domaine Duclaux is a long-established estate, founded in 1928. David and Benjamin have continued to expand it over the years. They produced their first Condrieu in 2014, named Les Caillets, in honor of their great-grandfather Frédéric Caillet, the estate’s founder. The La Chana cuvée reveals a fruity style with subtle extract. We love the estate’s wines, which beautifully reflect the elegance and finesse of the gneiss soils in the southern part of the Côte Rôtie appellation. Also noteworthy is the perfect mastery of aging: the oak notes are always well-integrated.

Gilbert & Gaillard

About the wine:

A youthful ruby color. The nose is still somewhat reserved at first, gradually opening up to reveal floral notes, wild berries, and minerality. Delicate and elegant on the palate. The aromas will unfold at their own pace, and the wine will gain in complexity. A bet on the future.