2024 Cave Yves Cuilleron Roussanne Les Vignes d'à Côte

For the northern Rhône, Viognier is undoubtedly the most famous white grape. Viognier owes its fame to the expensive wines from Condrieu. But south of Condrieu, in the appellation Saint-Joseph, we find two very different grapes, Roussanne and Marsanne. And coincidentally, Saint-Joseph is also the home of Yves Cuilleron, so he knows these grapes like the back of his hand. Like Roussanne, which he uses not only for the white Saint-Joseph, but also for making a pleasant country wine. It comes from vineyards with a warm subsoil, consisting of weathered granite, in the village of Chavanay. No herbicides or pesticides are used in the vineyard. Cuilleron strives for a natural balance between vines and subsoil. There is undergrowth between the vines to prevent erosion. The grapes are picked by hand, after which fermentation takes place at a low temperature. Then there is maturation in partly cuve and partly oak barriques, on the lees, the dead yeast cells, which give the wine strength and structure. A delicious glass of wine, to enjoy uncomplicated.

The Roussanne 'Les Vignes d'à Côte' has a clear straw yellow color. It is a white lush wine but also modest, subtle and elegant. In the nose we smell notes of exotic fruit, quince, yellow plums and apricots, hints of vanilla and almond. In the mouth the wine is elegant in taste, with notes of ripe pear and peach. In addition, wonderfully juicy and full, but also with nice acids. Ideal with fish, smoked haddock on toast, salad with squid, but also combines well with white meat, such as veal

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.