Yves Cuilleron is one of the top wine producers in the Rhône Valley where he makes highly regarded red and white wines. He has been called “King of Condrieu.” His Chaillets is one of three cuvées of Condrieu (pronounced, "con dri uh") he makes. It gets its name from the terraced vineyards planted on well-drained soil of biotite-rich granite. After harvest, the Viognier grapes are whole-cluster pressed, fermented in barrel with indigenous yeasts, then aged for nine months on their lees. It is a sumptuous wine with rich, ripe apricot, peach, honeydew melon aromas and flavors layered with dusty mineral notes and balanced by crisp, citrusy acidity. It will be a delicious partner for grilled salmon or sauteed scallops.
Yves Cuilleron a Chavanay, Condrieu (Rhône Valley, France) 2021
By Rebecca Murphy