A year-round Syrah that graced the tables of Allotment fans (not to mention its own table) because of the clarity, freshness and versatility of this delicious, dripping red.
It is perfumed and bright, with red currants, strawberries and a hint of spice on the nose that leads to an expressive and fresh palate full of juicy acidity and a long finish. Wonderful Rhône.
This champion wine-maker of the Rhône produces some of the most exclusive wines in the region. Cuilleron knows exactly what each plot is able to yield in terms of quality, style and character and in that regard is a master of all of the vines he tends. This wine is made from vines on the hills next to the most famed sites in the Rhone, in the alluvial and granitic Chavanay sub-zone. This situation allows for the grapes to ripen with minimal intervention from the vineyard team, who, in truth, only fertilise when necessary with organic fertilisers and don't even spray with insecticides. The result is this wonderfully pure and fresh wine that has any edges hemmed-in by the winemaking direction under Cuilleron's guidance. Malolactic fermentation gives a creamier mouth-feel and less zingy acidity, while the ageing for 7 months is sensibly 50% in stainless steel tanks and 50% in used oak barrels to continue the softening of the wine's edges and adding only a hint of timber characteristics.
Yes, just a note; this is now the 2021 vintage, which you might think is very youthful (to say the least). Well, it is; but these days that doesn't have such negative connotations as it used to: I'd always ask if it is ready for drinking; in other words, is there any aspect of the wine that isn't quite right, or that will be ironed-out, or better in a year or so. The answer here, because of the skill of the winemaker, is no! It's perfectly ready to drink and there is nothing I'd want change now. It will develop and change subtly in time, but it won't get any better, nor any worse.
2021 was a nearly perfect vintage in the Northern Rhone and while other regions may have struggled, the Northern Rhone saw the best estates prepared and able to handle the weather to their advantage, even with smaller yields.
Top producer Jerome Coursodon summed it up like this: "The great news is that the result is exceptional both in a normal quantity and in a classically chiselled vintage with great balance and acidity, with alcohol between 12.5 and 13.2. I can’t wait to watch 2021 develop over the years. It could turn out to be one of the truly superb Northern Rhone vintages for in some time, without the excess sun that we’ve been used to recently."
Region: Rhone Valley
Country: France
Grape(s): Syrah
Style: Vibrant, Organic, Medium, Fresh, Complex, Bright
Best food matches: Venison, Tuna, Tapas, Roasts, Poultry, Mature Cheeses, Hard Cheeses, Grills, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Beef, Barbecue
Alcohol: 13%
