 Grapes varieties.
The vineyards are planted predominantly with old vines of Grenache and Mourvèdre, along
with other permitted varieties such as Cinsault, Syrah, Picpoul, Terret noir,
Vaccarèse, Counoise and Muscardin.
The vines are planted over 18 different parcels of land in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with an
average density of 2 700 vines
per hectare and an average of more than 50 years.
Typical point of Domaine Duclaux vineyards.
A particular distinction of Domaine Duclaux is that the vineyards are
largely planted with the different varieties mixed together in the same parcel,
which allows for later harvesting with the grapes being much riper. As well, the wide
variety of soil types ensures maximum quality of grapes. Many of the parcels of
wines are planted on the traditional "galets" or round, heavy stones
washed down, from the Alpes, with underlying areas of alluvial soil mixed with stony
sand and heavier chalky clay.
Working methods.
The work in the vineyard is strictly supervised, under the A.O.C.
regulations, with the vines pruned either on wires or close to the ground. All harvesting is done by hand, with very severe selection of the grapes and
rejecting any that are unripe or damage. Because of the age of the vines, the
production barely exceeds 25 hectoliters per hectares, although the official
maximum is up to 35 hectoliters.
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