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 the space of a decade, Yves Cuilleron has established himself as one of the leading lights of France’s Northern Rhone…He is a modernist but not overtly so his wines straddle neatly the divide between traditionalists and the new-wave, in the sense that they retain their sense of place, but express their site in a slightly more approachable, immediate way. There’s purity to the fruit, and where new oak is used it isn’t excessive.” Wineanorack.com
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).
90 points, Christelle Guilber, Decanter 2016 “The Marsanne grapes are sourced from the commune of Chavanay, home of Condrieu. This charming wine is from Yves Cuilleron’s entry level range, however, it offers much more in quality. White flowers and white juicy peach are in harmony with the rich and creamy texture on the palate, with a hint of herbs on the finish. Don’t hesitate to aerate it in a decanter, it will get even better.”
2015 was a superb growing season not unlike the famed 2009 and 1999 vintages so quality is exceptional here.
This Marsanne brims with white flowers, citrus, apples, stone fruit flavours, its juicy, textured and balanced by lip smacking freshness. Delicious do yourself a favour here
RRP $36