Yves Cuilleron Les Vignes d'a Cote Syrah 2021

Some of the most captivating expressions of a given grape variety come from more marginal locations, where the grapes fully ripen, but it is a hard-won struggle. For Syrah, this is in the Northern Rhône. While the region is littered with place names that translate as phrases like "burnt earth" and "roasted slope," these are relative terms. Syrah certainly finds powerful expression in the more southern appellations of the region, but when forced to battle for sugar accumulation, Syrah yields enticing nonfruit aromas ranging from delicate flowers and herbs, such as violets, lavender, thyme, rosemary, and bay, to more meaty-spicy elements such as olive, smoked meat, and cracked pepper. It is these beguiling characteristics, accenting just ripe blackberry fruit and licorice, and an abiding freshness supporting the power of these wines, that keeps us coming back for more.

For the 2020 Yves Cuilleron Les Vignes d'a Cote Syrah, grapes are sourced mainly from vineyards around Yves's home base in Chavanay. They are partially destemmed, fermented in open-top cuve with native yeasts, and aged for seven months in a mixture of stainless steel and barriques. This is modern winemaking done right, precision and control without overriding the particularities of terroir.