Benjamin et David Duclaux - Côte-Rôtie La Germine 2023
93/100
Decanter
16/20
Jancis Robinson
“The estate’s flagship wine”
“Fresh, delicate, delicious, and slightly full-bodied, with lovely structure. It will drink very well young. The tannins, as silky as a fur coat, are exceptionally refined. The finish, though short, reveals a very elegant and easy-drinking Côte-Rôtie style. There is a hint of new oak (20%), but it integrates well and is not at all overpowering. La Germine is a blend of all the estate’s plots; its name refers to a former locality that no longer exists.” (Decanter 2024)
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Eye
Deep ruby color
Nose
Intense and complex, with aromas of ripe dark fruits (cherry, blackberry, blueberry) and subtle hints of violet.
Palate
Silky, crisp, and full-bodied, with fine, elegant tannins. Ripe black fruit dominates, accompanied by spicy and slightly smoky notes.
Serve
At 16-18°C
Open
At least 1 hour in advance
Drink before
2033+
Food and wine pairings
Pairs perfectly with game (venison with grand veneur sauce), red meats (barbecued ribeye), dishes served in sauce, and truffle-infused dishes...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2026 guide) 3*Stars (High-quality production, setting the standard in its sector)
About the estate:
The two brothers, Benjamin and David Duclaux, cultivate their small vineyard in the southern part of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, where gneiss (and even granite near the border with Condrieu) replaces schist in the geological composition of the subsoil. Their wines offer more pronounced aromas of red fruit than in other sectors, but the concentration of the two flagship wines (Maison Rouge and Coteaux de Tupin) shines in great vintages. The work in the barrel is more refined than in the past, though there is still room for improvement in this regard, particularly in the selection of barrels.
Decanter
Wine rated (2024 guide) 93/100
Rated Winery Recommended
About the wine:
Fresh, delicate, delicious, and slightly full-bodied, with lovely structure. It will drink very well young. The tannins, as silky as a fur coat, are exceptionally refined. The finish, though short, reveals a very elegant and easy-drinking Côte-Rôtie style. There is a hint of new oak (20%), but it integrates well and is not at all overpowering. La Germine is a blend of all the estate’s plots; its name refers to a former locality that no longer exists.
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2026 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer’s wines are regularly recognized by the guide)
About the estate:
On their 6-hectare estate, founded by their great-grandfather in 1928, the Duclaux brothers focused exclusively on the Côte-Rôtie appellation (two vintages, La Germine and Maison Rouge). Since 2014, they have also been producing Condrieu. Their vineyard is located in the southern part of the appellation, on gneiss soil, on the steep slopes of Tupin-et-Semons.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2026 guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often boasting fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the estate:
The Duclaux estate, founded in 1928, is today one of Côte-Rôtie’s most reliable names, producing precise, finely crafted wines without any artificial aging techniques. David and Benjamin are forging their path with consistency and flair. They produced their first Condrieu in 2014, named Les Caillets, in homage to their great-grandfather, Frédéric Caillet, the estate’s founder. The lineup is highly recommended; the wines age beautifully.
Wine Spectator
Estate rated "Recommended" (Wine producer recommended by Wine Spectator)
Jancis Robinson
Wine rated (2024 guide) 16/20
Rated: Recommended
About the wine:
A floral nose with a hint of violet. Aromas of black and red fruits on the palate. Quite easy to drink. A lighter tannic structure, but with fine tannins.
Jeb Dunnuck
Rated: Recommended
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