Yves Cuilleron : Madinière 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Madinière 2023 Yves Cuilleron

Tasting

Colour
Visually, this wine reveals an intense, deep red hue, marked by dark nuances characteristic of schist terroirs.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet stands out for its great complexity. It exudes scents of stone fruits such as plum and apricot, mingled with notes of stewed black fruits like blackcurrant and blackberry. Subtle hints of white pepper and a refreshing minerality complete the ensemble, which may evolve over time towards toasted nuances, leather or tobacco.

Palate
The attack is lively and beautifully fresh, revealing a full-bodied, fleshy character. The tannins are particularly velvety and refined. The mid-palate offers a crisp character, leading to a persistent, juicy and delicately peppery finish.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with a herb-crusted rack of lamb, a veal filet mignon with tapenade, or an eggplant caviar. It will also beautifully complement game dishes such as duck confit, as well as mature cheeses.

Service and storage

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve the Madinière 2023 at a temperature between 16 and 17°C. Approachable in its youth, this wine also has a fine structure allowing it to age in the cellar for about ten years, that is until roughly 2033.

Other characteristics

This wine has a moderate alcohol content of 12%, underscoring the estate's commitment to balance and freshness.

The authentic expression of a great terroir from the Rhône Valley

The estate

The estate's commercial history began in 1947 with the first bottling by Claude Cuilleron. Located in Chavanay, in the Rhône Valley, the estate was taken over in 1987 by his grandson, Yves Cuilleron. Under his leadership, the estate grew from 3.5 hectares to a vineyard spanning today between 65 and 90 hectares across several appellations. A key figure in the region, Yves Cuilleron is now preparing to pass on the estate to his son, while finalizing a conversion to organic farming set for 2025.

The vineyard

Hailing from the Côte-Rôtie appellation, the Côte-Rôtie "Madinière" cuvée comes from a four-hectare plot located on the Côte Brune. The vines, planted at very high density on steep south- and southeast-facing slopes, thrive on schist soils. Due to the extreme steepness of the terrain, all vineyard work is carried out entirely by hand. The estate practises sustainable viticulture, excluding insecticides and favouring organic fertilizers to preserve the natural balance of the soils.

The vintage

The year 2023 falls within a generally warmer climatic context, ensuring optimal ripeness of the berries. The weather conditions of this vintage required particular attention in the vineyard to preserve the natural freshness and acidity of the grapes in the face of rising temperatures.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of the Madinière 2023 favours minimal intervention, using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Fermentation takes place over roughly three weeks in open wood and concrete vats, punctuated by regular punching down and pumping over. The wine is then aged for 18 months in used barrels, with no new oak, in order to preserve the brightness of the fruit. The wine is fined with egg white but undergoes no mechanical filtration.

Grape varieties

97% Syrah, 3% Viognier