Yves Cuilleron Durif Anciens Cepages 2022 (750ml)

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Producer	Yves Cuilleron
Country	France
Region	Vin de France
Varietal	Petite Sirah
Vintage	2022
Sku	00461
Size	750ml

 

Rustic wine. Deep and complex black fruit nose. The mouth has a good depth, the texture is elegant. Rich powerful and fruity.

About a decade ago, Yves embarked on a new project planting massale selections of six nearly-extinct native grape varieties once prevalent in the Rhône hillsides. Today these micro-batch ferments uncover and celebrate the rich historical roots of Cote Rotie, Condrieu, Cornas, and Champagne that predate the dominance of Syrah, Viognier, and Chardonnay. With the Anciens Cepages wines, Cuilleron has sought to revive the lost flavors of the Rhône and chart a course towards greater viticultural diversity in the region

One of these grapes — Durif — might sound familiar. More commonly known as Petit Sirah, early California wine growers mistook their cuttings and planted Durif instead of Syrah, hence the variety’s proliferation on the West Coast as “Petit Sirah”.

The grape does indeed have Syrah parantage. In the 1860s, Dr. Francois Durif found a crossing of Peloursin with Syrah in his nursery and it was named Plant du Rif. Later renamed Durif, the grape found popularity in the Northern Rhône and according to local documentation, nearly 500 hectares of Durif was planted in-and-around Cote Rotie, Saint Joseph, and Crozes Hermitage as of 1880. Today, you’ll find a mere 2 hectares, most of which is used for Yves’ wine. From this, only about 80 cases are produced each vintage.

In the Cuilleron line-up, Yves’ Durif has a viceral richness and power. A bit different from his syrah-based wines, this is delicious when opened young with super juicy black fruits.