Yves Cuilleron Condrieu AOC Les Chaillets 2020

The Cuilleron domaine was founded in 1920 and has been home to several generations of winemakers since. Located in the hamlet of Verlieu, part of the town of Chavanay, Yves Cuilleron took over ownership of the domaine in 1987 and has focused on modernization. He built a brand new facility and acquired additional vineyard property, where he practices mostly organic vineyard techniques. Yields are rigorously controlled, and grapes are harvested by hand, as most of the vineyards are heavily terraced, making mechanization impossible. This ‘Les Chaillets’ release takes its name from the local word for terraces. Sourced from domaine’s best and oldest vines, it exhibits all the power and finesse viognier on its home turf of Condrieu is capable of. Fermentation takes place in barriques using native yeasts, followed by nine months on the lees before bottling. Fresh and dried stone fruit, flowers, and honey hover in the glass over a full-bodied palate tempered by the minerality of the vineyards’ granitic soils. Sustainably grown.