Cave Yves Cuilleron Anciens Cépages Chatus 2021
The Cuilleron estate, located in Verlieu, a hamlet of Chavanay just south of Condrieu, is one of the benchmark producers of the Rhône. Proprietor Yves Cuilleron makes an assortment of wines from multiple appellations, including Condrieu, Saint Péray, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Côte Rôtie, and a range of terrific varietally labelled Vin de Pays from the Collines Rhodaniennes. Most vines are grown on terraces which means all vineyard work is done by hand. In the cellar, grapes are fermented using indigenous yeasts; the white wines are fermented in barrels of various sizes and ages and kept on the lees with regular battonage; the reds are partially destemmed, and fermentation occurs in open top cuves.
Yves Cuilleron’s “Anciens Cépages” project, the masterwork of a genius who woke up several decades ago with intellectual questions about the character of six forgotten varietals, some of which were later evolved to build the Northern Rhone’s vinous landscape as we know it. Yves took massal selections of six nearly-extinct native varietals that were once common in the surrounding hills, planted them, and began producing micro ferments as a way to explore the historic DNA of Cote Rotie, Condrieu, Cornas, and Champagne.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Chatus |
| Alcohol | 12.00% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | FRANCE |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | No |
