Domaine Yves Cuilleron
Overview
Yves Cuilleron runs a very large enterprise (75 hectares total) based in Chavanay, producing an extensive range across Condrieu, Cote-Rotie, Saint-Joseph, Cornas, Crozes-Hermitage, and Saint-Peray. He has a special flair for white wines, particularly Condrieu, and has shifted from a later-picking style (emphasizing muskiness and exotic Viognier) to a more fresh, sleek, grippy accent from the early 2010s. His son Edgar is also now involved.
Appellations
Key Wines
- Condrieu Les Chaillets — one of the top wines of the appellation
- Condrieu Vernon (formerly Vertige) — a top performer; 2022 was a very stylish, silken five-star wine
- Condrieu Lieu-Dit Verlieu / La Petite Cote / Essence d’Automne
- Cote-Rotie Lieu dit Bonnivières (ex Terres Sombres) — from northern schist soils; handles new oak better; 2017 was an engaging four-and-a-half-star wine
- Cote-Rotie La Vialliere — from mica-schist soils in the northern sector; introduced late 2010s; great success in 2019 and 2020
- Saint-Joseph Les Serines red — the star from old vines (1936, 1947, late 1960s Syrah), the oldest Syrah at Chavanay; one of the important wines of its zone
- Saint-Joseph Lieu-dit Digue white — 100% Roussanne, gaining stature as early-1990s vines grow up
- IGP Collines Rhodaniennes Ripa Sinistra red — 2002 Syrah from Seyssuel’s schist across the river near Vienne; superior to its title
Style Notes
Yves’ reds have improved markedly during the 2010s and are now fully in step with a Burgundy-influenced styling, which at times can be just a touch minimalist. The Cote-Roties can be marked by new oak; the softer Bassenon from southern crumbled granite handles it less well than the northern schist wines. Beyond his accomplished Condrieus, the vins de pays Marsanne and Viognier are both very good. From 2017 Yves has produced four reds from “Anciens Cepages” — Persane, Chatus, Durif, and Petite Serine; the most convincing is the Chatus.
Producer Profile (JLL / drinkRhone.com)
A very big enterprise with a rapid increase in hectares, now 75 in total. Full, open wines from Condrieu, with a shift in style from later picking (muskiness, exotic Viognier) towards more fresh, sleek, grippy accent from the early 2010s.
Across the board, Yves’ reds have improved during the 2010s. Among his Saint-Joseph reds, the star is the old vine Les Serines, drawn from 1936, 1947, late 1960s Syrah — the oldest Syrah at Chavanay. Also notable is the Ripa Sinistra from Seyssuel’s schist near Vienne, a stylish, assured wine superior to its title.
Yves has a special flair for his white wines. Beyond his extremely accomplished Condrieus, the vins de pays Marsanne and Viognier are both very good, while the 100% Roussanne Lieu-dit Digue Saint-Joseph blanc is gaining stature. From 2017 he has produced four reds from “Anciens Cepages” (Ancient Varieties): Persane, Chatus, Durif, and Petite Serine.
Location: Verlieu, 58 RD 1086, 42410 Chavanay. Run by Yves and son Edgar. Export markets: 1) USA, 2) GB, 3) Japan.
My Tastings
Vintage Assessments (JLL Vintage Reports)
2024 Saint-Joseph: Yves Cuilleron: “2024 was later harvested than recently, and has given fresh wines, with acidity and good balance also.”
2008 Cornas: Les Vires rated ★★★ (“juicy fruit, oak, violet,” drink 2019-20). Condrieu: Yves views the vintage favourably: “The wines are fresh and have 1 degree less alcohol than 2007, a year that resembled 2006. These are balanced wines, and have kept their freshness.” Les Chaillets and La Petite Côte both rated ★★★(★). Saint-Péray: Les Cerfs and Les Potiers both ★★★(★). See 2008 Rhone Vintage.
Sources
sources/articles/JLL/Domaine_Yves_Cuilleron.txtsources/articles/JLL/rhone_vintage_reports.json— JLL vintage reports 2008-2024