Yves Cuilleron : Les Chaillets 2025

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the "Les Chaillets" 2025 Cuvée by Yves Cuilleron

Tasting Notes

Appearance
This wine reveals a clear, bright hue, ranging between pale yellow and pearly gold.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet typically expresses notes of well-ripened stone fruits, such as peach and apricot. These are joined by floral touches, honey and sweet spices, sometimes complemented by subtle hints of toasted dried fruits.

Palate
Full-bodied and complex, the palate reveals a rich texture that is perfectly balanced by an elegant finish. This finish is marked by a lovely mineral freshness derived from its granitic terroir, giving the whole remarkable depth.

Food and Wine Pairing

This white wine pairs beautifully with noble white meats, such as veal sweetbreads with morels or poultry in cream sauce. It also goes wonderfully with rich-textured fish and shellfish, such as lobster, langoustines, or a flavourful bouillabaisse.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate the "Les Chaillets" 2025 cuvée, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. Designed for ageing, this cellar-worthy wine will continue to evolve favourably in the bottle until around 2035.

The Elegance and Minerality of a Condrieu Wine

The Estate

Founded in 1920 by the grandfather of the current owner, the estate is now run by Yves Cuilleron, who took over the family business in 1987. Located in Verlieu, in the commune of Chavanay, this property has become a benchmark of the northern Rhône Valley. The vineyard spans 70 to 90 hectares across several appellations. Yves Cuilleron stands out for his meticulous plot-by-plot approach, his commitment to preserving the terroirs, and his involvement in reviving historic vineyards, combining tradition and modernity.

The Vineyard

The grapes come from the northern part of the Condrieu appellation, on the right bank of the river. The vines are planted on steep terraces, locally known as "chaillets," which benefit from an ideal south and south-east exposure for ripening. The terroir is composed of soils poor in biotite granite, promoting excellent drainage. The estate favours sustainable farming without insecticides, using organic fertilisers. Planting density is high, limiting the vigour of the vines. Harvesting is done by hand, with rigorous sorting and green harvesting.

Winemaking and Ageing

The winemaking of the "Les Chaillets" 2025 cuvée follows a traditional, plot-by-plot approach. After gentle pressing, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place using indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged on the lees for several months, without racking, split between large oak vats and Burgundian barrels. This method helps support the wine's structure without letting the oak dominate, before final blending and bottling.

Grape Variety

100% Viognier