A Promising 2017 Vintage at Domaine Constant-Duquesnoy
2017-01-01
Dear Wine Lovers and Friends,
After a “magnificent” 2015 and a “charming” 2016 vintage, we are gradually discovering the nuances of the 2017 vintage. We are impressed by its wonderful balance of fine-grained tannins and generous fruit, placing it stylistically between the two previous vintages.
What does 2018 hold?
Following a moderately rainy winter, the vineyard was thoroughly “drenched” in spring with over 40 days of rain showers and storms.
Unsurprisingly, powdery mildew appeared and our plots in Vinsobres and Mirabel were heavily affected, while Cairanne was less so. Yields will lower than usual and harvest will be more challenging, requiring meticulous sorting to keep only the perfectly ripe berries.
In May, we finished the “much awaited” planting of nearly one hectare (2.5 acres) of Mourvèdre at the named vineyard “Cabanon” in Vinsobres.
There is no doubt that this new variety will give the Domaine more blending possibilities and will allow us in a few years to introduce you to our new Vinsobres cuvée “Les Bécasses.”
Corentin (center photo) joined the Domaine to help us out in the vineyard and with winemaking. He also now does the labeling which was previously contracted out.
Serge Mouriesse, renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape oenologist, guide us from now on in crafting the Cairanne cuvées and during our first steps in using some whole clusters in fermentation.
We are finalizing the blend of our new Cairanne “premium” cuvée which will be available in fall. The Cairanne “Quintessence” and Vinsobres “Confidence” are destined to be the “crown jewels” of their respective appellations.
With nearly 20 hectares (50 acres) in production among Vinsobres, Cairanne, and Mirabel-aux-Baronnies, we are ramped up to produce 80,000 bottles.
This past year, we have received numerous accolades--as many from Europe as the USA. In addition to the publications which already cover us, Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s successor, requested to meet us and visit the vineyards and the winery. He got to taste a “pre-release” of our blends reserved for the creation of the 2017 Cairanne “Quintessence.”
In the USA, Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck have given us once again scores between 90 and 94 for our 2016 Vinsobres and Cairanne.
Inter-Rhone, the Rhone Valley professional association covering the entire region, has chosen the 2015 Constant-Duquesnoy Vinsobres to represent the Vinsobres appellation this year.
We are especially proud that this “Belgian” Vinsobres can enjoy such visibility!
We registered our trademark “Constant-Duquesnoy” in China where our son, Mathieu, set up a sales office in Shanghai. We then participated in the Hong Kong Vinexpo and received enthusiastic feedback on all our wines, especially our new white 2017 Côtes du Rhône “Les Rizannes.”
And finally, due to popular demand, we have decided to bottle some of our Côtes du Rhône in 500 ml bottles.
It’s a new cuvee called “SO RHÔN !” (2016 vintage).
We’d like to thank you for support and enthusiasm and are honored by your loyalty in our wines.
Best regards,
Gérard et Denise