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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
the best and oldest vines on the estate, on south/southeast-facing terraces overlooking Chavanay. "Les Chaillets” is not a district but the local name for terraces. A pure golden yellow in colour, the nose sings with its core of ripe apricots. This is really juicy with a nicely packed core of anise, damsen plum,yellow apple and heather honey notes backed by a long, pure, minerally finish.
REVIEWS
Lifted classic, but extremely pure and precise apricot and peach aromas with a touch of vanillin oak. On the palate more of the same but with magnificent minerality which is almost truffle like. The fruit/acid balance is again perfect. A fabulous wine! 92-95 Points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
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