Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph ‘Les Pierres Sèches’ Syrah 2019

Yves Cuilleron has been credited with raising the quality, profile and fortunes of Northern Rhône wines since he took over his uncle's small estate in his mid-twenties. His wines are remarkable and worth seeking out. This wine is from a selection of vines on the hillsides of the north of Saint Joseph. Assemblage of the plots best expressing fruit and freshness. “Les Pierres Sèches” is not a district, it refers to the dry-stone walls used to strengthen the vine terracing.

His philosophy in the vineyard is simple and very much a sustainable approach, no insecticides/pesticides only organic ones, majority is high density planted (competition between vines enhances fruit quality), handpicked fruit (much of vineyard is on terraces). Similarly in the winery a natural approach: wild yeasts, no additions, open fermenters (temperature controlled), maturation in french oak barriques and foudres (his wines are more about purity of fruit, and he goes easy on the oak).

This wine is aged for 18 months in older barriques. Another fabulous growing season. Fine Syrah!