Yves Cuilleron Cornas ‘Les Vires’ 2010

Description

“Yves Cuilleron is a superstar of the Northern Rhône” thewinedoctor.com

“Yves Cuilleron has become one of the bright shining stars of the northern Rhone” Robert Parker.

In 1987 Yves took over his family wine estate (after 4 generations) located in Verlieu (in the town of  Chavanay) and since that time he has built an entirely new winery. He has acquired additional vineyards (domaine is now 52 hectares) that cover appellations, including  Saint Joseph, Cote Rotie, Cornas, Condrieu, Saint Péray and a series of Vin de Pays from the Collines Rhodaniennes.  His philosophy in the vineyard is simple and very much a sustainable approach, no insecticides/pesticides only organic ones, majority is high density planted (competition between vines enhances fruit quality), handpicked fruit (much of vineyard is on terraces). Similarly in the winery a natural approach: wild yeasts, no additions, open fermenters (temperature controlled), maturation in french oak barriques and foudres (his wines are more about purity of fruit and he goes easy on the oak).

The dream 2010 vintage has been praised and lauded so much- it is often referred to as the vintage of a generation (yields were down in 2010 which makes it even more scarce!).  Jancis Robinson was even more heroic in her description of the 2010 season and said: “ Low yields of exceptionally good quality. 2010, one of the best years in the northern Rhone – possibly the best in history!”

From vines on granite soils in the central part of the hillside in Les Cotes, a district in the south of the commune; two-thirds of the vines were planted in 1911. “Les Vires” refers to the local name for terraces. 18 months spent in barriques.  A wine with ripe and spicy aromas, rounded and velvety on the palate, with a fresh finish and rich, well-integrated tannins. Plenty of power/structure in this beauty and will be singing after 5 years bottle age and will go easily another 10 years and beyond. LIMITED

‘Opaque purple. Deep, smoky aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, pipe tobacco and incense, with an intense spicy overtone. Fleshy blackberry and boysenberry flavors are enlivened by cracked pepper and allspice qualities. Finishes focused and long, with a vanilla-accented note of candied dark berries.’  92-94 points – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Mar/Apr 12. Very Limited