Yves Cuilleron : La Petite Côte 2025

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Condrieu "La Petite Côte" 2025 by Yves Cuilleron

Tasting

Appearance
The colour reveals a pale yellow hue, both rich and bright.

Nose
Intense and remarkably complex, the bouquet exudes aromas of stone fruits such as fresh apricot and peach, mingled with notes of quince and exotic fruits. Delicate floral touches of violet intertwine with hints of honey, citrus zest and a fine smoky minerality.

Palate
Generous and flavourful, the attack reveals an opulent texture and a beautiful, almost honeyed richness. The whole is perfectly balanced by a refreshing tension. The long, dry finish is enhanced by noble bitterness and a subtle saline touch.

Food and Wine Pairing

Ideal as an aperitif to accompany smoked salmon toasts, cured ham or foie gras, this white wine also pairs beautifully with poultry in creamy mushroom sauce. It will equally enhance fine fish in sauce, shellfish such as scallops, as well as soft-rind cheeses and roasted root vegetable dishes.

Serving and Cellaring

This wine can be enjoyed in the bloom of its youth to fully appreciate its fruity generosity, but it also boasts excellent cellaring potential, allowing it to evolve favourably for several years.

The Richness and Precision of a Condrieu White Wine

The Estate

Founded in 1920 by Claude Cuilleron, the family estate is located in Chavanay, at the heart of the northern Rhône Valley. Taken over in 1987 by Yves Cuilleron, when it covered just 3.5 hectares, the vineyard has since expanded remarkably to now span several dozen hectares across the region's finest appellations. Now supported by Edgar Cuilleron, Yves Cuilleron embodies a so-called "reasonable" winegrowing philosophy, combining meticulous manual work, a drastic reduction in inputs and a deep respect for biodiversity, with a conversion to organic farming initiated in 2022.

The Vineyard

The grapes come from plots located in the heart of the Condrieu appellation, in the commune of Chavanay. The vines are planted at high density on steep terraces benefiting from a south and south-east exposure. This unique terroir is distinguished by its muscovite granite soils, a rock rich in pale mica that gives the wine its floral signature. The vineyard is tended by hand, without any insecticides for over twenty years, in order to preserve the natural balance of the soils.

Winemaking and Ageing

Following hand-harvesting and rigorous sorting, the grapes destined for "La Petite Côte" 2025 are pressed, and the juices are then cold-settled. Both alcoholic fermentation, driven by indigenous yeasts, and malolactic fermentation take place entirely in wood. Ageing continues on the lees, without racking, for approximately 8 to 9 months. It is carried out half in 30-hectolitre oak vats and half in Burgundian barrels, before the final blending of the different plots.

Grape Variety

Viognier (100%).