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NOTES
The northern Rhône Valley: a stretch of wine country where the river sets the tempo. The river shapes a fold of land that hugs the vineyards and confers their authenticity, their point of origin. Narrow gorges, sheer slopes, tremendous terraces. Amid this arresting geography, the vines stand firm and offer sumptuous wines. The Rhône has given the grower his home port, and the plantations drink deep in its exceptional bank.
Yves Cuilleron rejects off-the-shelf ideas. His vision of vine cultivation is highly personal: not conventional, not organic, not biodynamic. And his philosophy is simple: "Produce the best possible grapes”. He practises "viticulture raisonnable”, an integrated, eco-friendly approach in which observation is key. He particularly monitors vine vigour: this must be neither too high nor too low, and, if well controlled, ensures grapes of greater concentration and balance. All vine work vital to grape quality is conducted: planting of Viognier vines deriving solely from the family’s own yards ("selections massales”), and of Syrah vines from high-quality clones and from "selections massales”; high planting density; green harvesting; leaf thinning. Yves Cuilleron is also mindful to respect soil balance, just like Uncle Antoine before him: no insecticides; three to five treatments a year at most; and small amounts of organic fertiliser.
TASTING NOTES
Sourced from 1.8 ha of south/southeast-facing terraced vines on the hill in Ampuis commune, in Rochins, Viallières and Rozier districts. "Terres Sombres” is not a district, it refers to the brown soil. Tight and supersleek, with a terrific core of blackberry, black cherry and current fruit laced with mineral, black tea, and bittersweet cocoa powder notes. The long, fine grained finish is precisely balanced for long term cellaring.
REVIEWS
Opaque purple; Seductive dark berry and kirsch aromas are brightened by fresh flowers and minerals. Lush blackberry and candied cherry flavours are pliant and completely edge-free. Where are the tannins? Broad, sweet and impressively persistent on the finish, which repeats the creamy dark berry flavours. 90-93 Points, Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 2008
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