Domaine Yves Cuilleron
Showing 1-16 out of 16 items
Hide All Details
Prices:
Ready, but will keep,
Lombard is sourced from vines near to the Cuilleron winery in Chavanay, where the Condrieu vineyards reluctantly cede to those of St Joseph. The soil does not lack for granite, however, and its aspect is suitably precarious. Made from 50-year-old Marsanne, the 2013 has notes of wax, quince and orchard fruit, and a salinity on the back palate which would do no disservice to a plate of red mullet or similar.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Dynamic and energetic, Yves sometimes gives the impression of trying too hard: there is so much activity and so many wines, why can’t the message be clearer? Well, my message is clear and it underlines the overall quality of the range, proved once again by a recent (late 2014) Decanter tasting which put M Cuilleron's Côte Rôtie on its own at the very top of the tree. Pragmatism over the hot topic of destemming and a general inclination to harvest late are cited as two cornerstones of the Cuilleron philosophy. Yves praises the equilibrium of his 2013 whites, and is pleased with both the colour and the tannic structure of his reds.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Dynamic and energetic, Yves sometimes gives the impression of trying too hard: there is so much activity and so many wines, why can’t the message be clearer? Well, my message is clear and it underlines the overall quality of the range, proved once again by a recent (late 2014) Decanter tasting which put M Cuilleron's Côte Rôtie on its own at the very top of the tree. Pragmatism over the hot topic of destemming and a general inclination to harvest late are cited as two cornerstones of the Cuilleron philosophy. Yves praises the equilibrium of his 2013 whites, and is pleased with both the colour and the tannic structure of his reds.
Bottle
£25.95
Case price (6)
£119.16
Saving
£36.54
Bottle 6 x 75cl18cs
£86.28
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
Twenty percent of stems were added to the vat this year, its fruits matured for 16 months in new and one-year old barrel. The wine has classic St Joseph freshness, with a kiss of black pepper on the finish and nicely ripe tannins underlining accessibility in the medium term.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Yves Cuilleron compares 2012 to 2011; for him the vintage has more concentration and power than its immediate forebear. His house philosophy, whether by accident or design, mirrors the current fashions for later harvests and the addition of a varying degree of stems. Both engender structure and complexity when treated with due respect. Given that there is not the remotest sign of the green on the one hand or the over-ripe on the other, we can infer conspicuous success in these wines.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Yves Cuilleron compares 2012 to 2011; for him the vintage has more concentration and power than its immediate forebear. His house philosophy, whether by accident or design, mirrors the current fashions for later harvests and the addition of a varying degree of stems. Both engender structure and complexity when treated with due respect. Given that there is not the remotest sign of the green on the one hand or the over-ripe on the other, we can infer conspicuous success in these wines.
Bottle
£26.95
Case price (12)
£291.00
Saving
£32.40
Bottle 6 x 75cl3cs
£108.24
See All Listings
Bottle
£36.95
Case price (12)
£399.00
Saving
£44.40
Bottle 6 x 75cl21cs
£153.24
See All Listings
Drink now,
Yves Cuilleron has long been seen as the leader of Condrieu's new generation of winemakers, but in fact makes as much red as white wine and has an equally impressive reputation for this holdings in Côte Rôtie and St Joseph and his mastery of the sometimes rather chimerical Syrah grape. That this mastery was centred on the use of oak, in the early days at least, did little to undermine the plaudits, although now that there is more moderation in the size and age of the barrels, the plaudits have, if anything, become louder and even more effusive.
Les Serines is Yves’ top St Joseph, from old south-east facing vines around the Chavanay and Mauves communes behind the town of Tournon, which is itself located across the river from Tain L’Hermitage. Les Serines is not a lieu-dit, rather an old synonym for Syrah. The wines are farmed at a high density, then picked by hand and fermented in stainless steel, after which they are aged for eighteen months in cask, with no new wood employed.
This is a robust, finely structured wine, with firm mineral acidity cutting through the granitic blocks of black fruit, and a very pure finish in deference to the quality of the terroir.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
Les Serines is Yves’ top St Joseph, from old south-east facing vines around the Chavanay and Mauves communes behind the town of Tournon, which is itself located across the river from Tain L’Hermitage. Les Serines is not a lieu-dit, rather an old synonym for Syrah. The wines are farmed at a high density, then picked by hand and fermented in stainless steel, after which they are aged for eighteen months in cask, with no new wood employed.
This is a robust, finely structured wine, with firm mineral acidity cutting through the granitic blocks of black fruit, and a very pure finish in deference to the quality of the terroir.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
Bottle
£37.55
Case price (12)
£405.60
Saving
£45.00
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£312.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will improve,
Bassenon comes from the south of the appellation, its soils dominated by granite and gneiss. Rather confusingly, the name does not refer to a lieu-dit per se, rather a small stream which runs through the vines in question. 10% of Viognier is co-planted with the Syrah and 50% of new oak has been used. Floral, with violets and crushed raspberries on the nose, the wine is silky, long and very fine, in both senses of the word.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Energetic, dynamic and likeable, Yves Cuilleron is seen as the most influential and, at times, the most outspoken of the Northern Rhône producers. The completely rebuilt winery at Chavanay is testament to both his success and ambition; Yves’ skill lies in disseminating the minutiae of terroir (now, in my view, with even better results as the use of new wood has been relaxed a little). ‘Tendu’ seemed to be his most popular adjective used to describe the 2011s: ‘tight-knit, nervous, and with potential’ is my rather prosaic and, in all probability, not entirely accurate translation, a little close to a personification perhaps.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Energetic, dynamic and likeable, Yves Cuilleron is seen as the most influential and, at times, the most outspoken of the Northern Rhône producers. The completely rebuilt winery at Chavanay is testament to both his success and ambition; Yves’ skill lies in disseminating the minutiae of terroir (now, in my view, with even better results as the use of new wood has been relaxed a little). ‘Tendu’ seemed to be his most popular adjective used to describe the 2011s: ‘tight-knit, nervous, and with potential’ is my rather prosaic and, in all probability, not entirely accurate translation, a little close to a personification perhaps.
Bottle
£42.00
Case price (12)
£453.60
Saving
£50.40
Bottle 6 x 75cl24cs
£175.98
See All Listings
Ready, but will improve,
From the southern (Blonde) granitic vineyards, this cuvée contains 10% Viognier and is aged in 50% new oak for 18 months. The wine has classic aromatics of bacon rind and hot house plants, with a plush, pleasing mid-palate, with hints of woodsmoke and black olive also evidenced.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Yves Cuilleron compares 2012 to 2011; for him the vintage has more concentration and power than its immediate forebear. His house philosophy, whether by accident or design, mirrors the current fashions for later harvests and the addition of a varying degree of stems. Both engender structure and complexity when treated with due respect. Given that there is not the remotest sign of the green on the one hand or the over-ripe on the other, we can infer conspicuous success in these wines.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Yves Cuilleron compares 2012 to 2011; for him the vintage has more concentration and power than its immediate forebear. His house philosophy, whether by accident or design, mirrors the current fashions for later harvests and the addition of a varying degree of stems. Both engender structure and complexity when treated with due respect. Given that there is not the remotest sign of the green on the one hand or the over-ripe on the other, we can infer conspicuous success in these wines.
Bottle
£48.00
Case price (12)
£518.40
Saving
£57.60
Bottle 6 x 75cl24cs
£202.98
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
The Terres Sombres in question are located in the central lieux-dits of Rochins and Rozier and, further to the north, La Viaillière. The wine will have aged for 20 months or so at bottling and is justly regarded as one of the finest in the appellation. Grilled meat, tapenade and ripe plums underwrite great potential.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Energetic, dynamic and likeable, Yves Cuilleron is seen as the most influential and, at times, the most outspoken of the Northern Rhône producers. The completely rebuilt winery at Chavanay is testament to both his success and ambition; Yves’ skill lies in disseminating the minutiae of terroir (now, in my view, with even better results as the use of new wood has been relaxed a little). ‘Tendu’ seemed to be his most popular adjective used to describe the 2011s: ‘tight-knit, nervous, and with potential’ is my rather prosaic and, in all probability, not entirely accurate translation, a little close to a personification perhaps.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer
Energetic, dynamic and likeable, Yves Cuilleron is seen as the most influential and, at times, the most outspoken of the Northern Rhône producers. The completely rebuilt winery at Chavanay is testament to both his success and ambition; Yves’ skill lies in disseminating the minutiae of terroir (now, in my view, with even better results as the use of new wood has been relaxed a little). ‘Tendu’ seemed to be his most popular adjective used to describe the 2011s: ‘tight-knit, nervous, and with potential’ is my rather prosaic and, in all probability, not entirely accurate translation, a little close to a personification perhaps.
Bottle
£60.00
Case price (12)
£648.00
Saving
£72.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl43cs
£256.98
See All Listings
For laying down,
The eponymous soils are mainly schistous in the so-called Brune half of the appellation, indeed they are not far removed from Côte Brune itself. The palate is dominated by blue fruit, bay leaf and cooked meat; its linear profile underlined by a distinctive gunflint finish. Explosive, but in a carefully controlled fashion.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Yves Cuilleron compares 2012 to 2011; for him the vintage has more concentration and power than its immediate forebear. His house philosophy, whether by accident or design, mirrors the current fashions for later harvests and the addition of a varying degree of stems. Both engender structure and complexity when treated with due respect. Given that there is not the remotest sign of the green on the one hand or the over-ripe on the other, we can infer conspicuous success in these wines.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer
Yves Cuilleron compares 2012 to 2011; for him the vintage has more concentration and power than its immediate forebear. His house philosophy, whether by accident or design, mirrors the current fashions for later harvests and the addition of a varying degree of stems. Both engender structure and complexity when treated with due respect. Given that there is not the remotest sign of the green on the one hand or the over-ripe on the other, we can infer conspicuous success in these wines.
Bottle
£65.00
Case price (12)
£702.00
Saving
£78.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl19cs
£279.48
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
From precipitous south-facing vines in the famous commune of Vernon, this well-named cuvée is aged for 18 months in barrique and is released almost a year after Yves’s other whites. This lavish élevage is reflected in a rich and spicy wine, with mirabelle plum and honeysuckle complemented by notes of brioche, vanillin and white tobacco.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Dynamic and energetic, Yves sometimes gives the impression of trying too hard: there is so much activity and so many wines, why can’t the message be clearer? Well, my message is clear and it underlines the overall quality of the range, proved once again by a recent (late 2014) Decanter tasting which put M Cuilleron's Côte Rôtie on its own at the very top of the tree. Pragmatism over the hot topic of destemming and a general inclination to harvest late are cited as two cornerstones of the Cuilleron philosophy. Yves praises the equilibrium of his 2013 whites, and is pleased with both the colour and the tannic structure of his reds.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Dynamic and energetic, Yves sometimes gives the impression of trying too hard: there is so much activity and so many wines, why can’t the message be clearer? Well, my message is clear and it underlines the overall quality of the range, proved once again by a recent (late 2014) Decanter tasting which put M Cuilleron's Côte Rôtie on its own at the very top of the tree. Pragmatism over the hot topic of destemming and a general inclination to harvest late are cited as two cornerstones of the Cuilleron philosophy. Yves praises the equilibrium of his 2013 whites, and is pleased with both the colour and the tannic structure of his reds.
Bottle
£72.00
Case price (6)
£388.80
Saving
£43.20
See All Listings
Drink now,
Aptly named, the Vertige is sourced from Yves’ oldest, highest and best parcel of vines. The texture is that of a plush tapestry, adorned with both tropical and citric fruits and balanced by 18 months in oak. Behind the cashmere softness a shaft of mineral acidity lends focus and definition. Drink 2010-2014.
Bottle
£76.60
Case price (12)
£830.52
Saving
£88.68
Bottle 12 x 75cl2cs
£666.12
See All Listings
Ready, but will improve,
Yves’ passion and energy is well-known and it was warming to see his reaction to our own enthusiasm for this cuvée, which was one we had not planned to buy. Like the best Cornas, it has a ‘lift’ to it with plenty of fresh, generous fruit. Easy on the ‘abv’ too, a really fine example of a Cornas that will develop very well mid-term.
Tom Cave - Cellar Plan Manager
Tom Cave - Cellar Plan Manager
See All Listings
Bottle 12 x 75cl2cs
£330.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£450.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will improve,
Yves Cuilleron’s Bessanon cuvée is sourced from a small 1.5 hectare plot in the south of the appellation, the commune of Tupins-Semons to be precise. Bessanon is the name of a small stream located just adjacent to the vines in question.
With soil based on gneiss and granite, the wine contains 10% of Viognier, and is, stylistically, from the more elegant and floral end of the spectrum. The 2009 has been aged in barrique for 18 months and boasts the elegant violet aromatics that one has come to love from this appellation, allied to a mid-palate balance and elegance both of which betray the high quality of this vintage.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, August 2011
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£600.00
See All Listings
Drink now,
From older vines directly behind the revamped Chavanay winery Les Chaillets is a lieu –dit, its vines on unfailingly steep slopes. Aged for eight months in 30% new wood, this is very rich and complete Condrieu, with plums, apricots and ripe pears allied to spice and stone fruit, its distinctive generous character coming from the biotite granite which dominates the more southerly vineyards of the appellation.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012
Our visit to Yves this year, despite its first-after-lunch graveyard slot, was one of the best of them all. Perhaps it was a fruit day! The wines were singing and Yves was composed and confident, clearly very happy with the vintage. For him the long ripening season of 2010, with its significant diurnal temperature variations, was the key to quality. The vigneron’s Grand Master chess skills were fully exercised in the decision of when to harvest… a tricky decision of course, each plot being different, but now, finally I understand the purpose of each of the many varied cuvées in the range and there appears to be some stability and a real sense of purpose in the winemaking….and not too much new oak now…..The enfant terrible has really come of age…
Bottle 12 x 75cl1cs
£450.00
See All Listings
Ready, but will keep,
We especially liked L’Amarybelle this year; the organic rigour of the tending of its vines echoed in the glass with a rare purity and no lack of charm. Dark fruits and soft spices are buttressed by finely etched tannins and crisp acidity. Hints of eucalypt and mint at the back of the palate enhance the wine yet further.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Dynamic and energetic, Yves sometimes gives the impression of trying too hard: there is so much activity and so many wines, why can’t the message be clearer? Well, my message is clear and it underlines the overall quality of the range, proved once again by a recent (late 2014) Decanter tasting which put M Cuilleron's Côte Rôtie on its own at the very top of the tree. Pragmatism over the hot topic of destemming and a general inclination to harvest late are cited as two cornerstones of the Cuilleron philosophy. Yves praises the equilibrium of his 2013 whites, and is pleased with both the colour and the tannic structure of his reds.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Dynamic and energetic, Yves sometimes gives the impression of trying too hard: there is so much activity and so many wines, why can’t the message be clearer? Well, my message is clear and it underlines the overall quality of the range, proved once again by a recent (late 2014) Decanter tasting which put M Cuilleron's Côte Rôtie on its own at the very top of the tree. Pragmatism over the hot topic of destemming and a general inclination to harvest late are cited as two cornerstones of the Cuilleron philosophy. Yves praises the equilibrium of his 2013 whites, and is pleased with both the colour and the tannic structure of his reds.
See All Listings
Showing 1-16 out of 16 items
Yves Cuilleron, is described by Wine Spectator as "the leader of Condrieu's new generation of winemakers." Yves represents the 4th generation of Cuilleron vignerons although he initially trained as a engineer. The lure of the vine proved too hard to resist and after a year's training at the Ecole Viticole in Macon he took over the vineyards in 1987.
Since then he has built an entirely new winery at Chavany facility while at the same time he acquired additional vineyard property. The domaine now produces about 50,000 bottles annually divided between the appellations of St. Joseph Blanc, St. Joseph Rouge, Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu.
Most of the vineyards are situated in and around the commune of Chavanay which is just south of the town of Condrieu. He produces approximately 12,000 to 15,000 bottles of Condrieu each year with his production split into 3 cuvees; La Petite Cote, an old vines cuvee Les Chaillets, and a late harvest cuvee Les Ayguets.