2023 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. Notes 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 honey-like in richness, beautifully 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 one of the greatest talents in the Northern Rhône today. Wine Spectator calls him the leader of the new generation of winemakers in the Condrieu. Most of his vineyards are in and around Chavanay, just south of Condrieu. In total he has 59 hectares spread over Saint Joseph (Blanc), Saint Joseph (Rouge), Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu.

Yves has an important slogan... pick the grapes as ripe as possible! He is a gourmet who loves good food and 'Les Vins Gourmand'. You can also taste that in his wines. He makes his wines '100% maison'. Per parcel or type of wine, he monitors the Cuilleron style of the cuvée in question, without compromise. However, nothing is set in stone for 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 doesn't follow trends. He does not work conventionally, organically and not biodynamically, but according to his own philosophy aimed at obtaining healthy grapes. 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 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 Domaine Yves Cuilleron winery! The scent is peach, apricot, vanilla, beautifully smoky and minerally, honeysuckle and nuts, caramel and butter. Tasty and juicy, intense and balanced, accessible style, length, fruit and power, fullness, almost honey-like in richness, beautifully balanced