2022 Cave Yves Cuilleron La Petite Côte Condrieu

This Yves Cuilleron La Petite Cote has a light yellow color. In the nose we find aromas of exotic fruit, candied apricots and peach. Touches of honey with lemon peel aromas. In the mouth the wine is fresh and fruity Tasty and juicy, intense and balanced, accessible style, length, fruit and power, fullness, almost honeyed in richness, nicely balanced.

Yves Cuilleron represents the third generation of winemakers. Cave Cuilleron has existed since 1920. In 1987, the domain came into the hands of Yves through his grandfather and uncle. Together with François Villard, Yves Cuilleron is now one of the greatest talents in the northern Rhône. Wine Spectator calls him the leader of the new generation of winemakers in the Condrieu. Most of his vineyards are located in and around Chavanay, just south of Condrieu. In total, he has 59 hectares divided between Saint Joseph (Blanc), Saint Joseph (Rouge), Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu.

Yves has an important slogan... pick grapes as ripe as possible! He is a gourmet who loves good food and 'Les Vins Gourmand'. You can taste that in his wines. He makes his wines '100% maison'. Per plot or type of wine he monitors the Cuilleron style of the cuvée in question, without compromise. However, nothing is set in stone with him. He works on feeling, experience and continues to observe and adjust. He selects the fruit from the older and younger vines. He does the same with the different plots. He only blends different plots if there are sufficient synonyms or properties that complement each other.

In terms of winemaking, Yves goes his own way. He does not follow trends. For example, he does not work conventionally, not organically and not biodynamically, but according to his own philosophy aimed at obtaining healthy grapes. In doing so, he continuously observes in order to be able to intervene in time. He has been working sustainably for 20 years according to la lutte raisonnée; a sensible way of making wine without pesticides and artificial fertilizers. In the cellar he works with natural yeasts and prefers to use older foeders and barriques instead of steel tanks.

What a great wine this Condrieu La Petite Cote from winery Domaine Yves Cuilleron! In the nose peach, apricot, vanilla, nicely smoky and mineral, honeysuckle and nuts, caramel and butter. Tasty and juicy, intense and balanced, accessible style, length, fruit and power, fullness, almost honey-like in richness, nicely balanced