Yves Cuilleron -- Rhodaniennes Syrah ‘Les Vignes d’à Côté’

“Bespoke Northern Rhône” – that’s how this wine was sold to me. Bought sight-unseen, with zero regrets. The Cuilleron Estate is one of the most important, highly regarded, and prolific estates in the Northern Rhône. Yet they maintain a very high standard of natural winegrowing, with minimal treatments and a unique approach to soil management and pruning that will allow future generations to also enjoy the richness of this land. They believe that this part of the Rhône Valley deserves the same reverence that we easily bestow upon the grand crus and premier crus of Burgundy, with unique terroir in each site they choose. 

This wine jumps out of the glass with thick intensity, but bright acidity and fresh fruit to balance it out. Earthy enough to please old world lovers but not too stinky as to offend anyone.

Grape: Syrah 100%

Region: Collines Rhodaniennes, Rhône, France

Farming: Organic, un-ploughed, no insecticides, hand harvested