A collaboration inspired by history, Les Vins de Vienne is a partnership of Yves Cuilleron, Francois Villard and Pierre Gaillard, three superstar, Syrah-specialist vignerons in Rhone.
Beginning at Rhone’s northern most point in 1996, this trio purchased and rejuvenated the old terroir of the vineyard of Seyssuel, located on the left bank of the Rhone, just 25km from Lyon, north of Côte-Rôtie. It was Gaillard’s readings of historic writers that led him to Seyssuel, home to famed wines during the Roman era, the Middle Ages, and the 19th century. Purchasing his first vineyard in Malleval in 1981, in addition to Les Vins de Vienne, Pierre now manages 77ha of his own vineyards through the estates that he created at Malleval, Madeloc and Cottebrune.
When Cuilleron first visited Seyssuel, he looked up at the rising slopes and noted their exposure to the sun. As the vigneron and proprietor at Cave Yves Cuilleron, which was established by his grandfather in 1920, Yves remains committed to the entire process from vine-planting to bottling, controlling every aspect of his wines. Practicing “viticulture raisonnable”, he aims to “produce the best possible grapes” to make “100% homemade wines” both at his own estate and at Les Vins de Vienne.
While Yves was looking up, Francois was gazing down at the Mediterranean-like scrubland, examining the potential of the soil at Seyssuel. Comprised of mostly granite, with schist and slate, the soil sits in the form of terraces that face south and south-west. A former chef who learned winemaking on his own, the acclaimed Villard has his own domaine in Condrieu, along with holdings in St Joseph, St Veray and Côte Rôtie.
The first writings praising the wines of Cote Rotie appear in the 6th century. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance the wine's reputation grew as it was served to most of Europe's royal families. The wines reached their apogee in 1890 but then the combination of phylloxera and WWI led to the complete disappearance of Cote Rotie vines. It wasn't until the 1960's that a few dynamic vignerons brought back this famous appelation. Today Cote Rotie counts 250 ha of vines planted on steep terraces on the right bank of the Rhone river. - Winery
Varietal/Blend: 100% Syrah
Fermentation: Gravity flow into pneumatic press, partial destem, traditional 3-4 week ferment in barrel
Aging: 16 months in oak, 25% new
Soil: Iron mica-schist in the north, gneiss & granite in the south
Vine Age: Average 30 years
Alcohol: 13%
A bright, open style, with engaging cherry, blood orange and plum notes, laced with violet and iron hints. A mouthwatering sanguine note cuts through the finish. Relies more on purity than density. Drink now through 2020. 1,250 cases made. –JM - Wine Spectator Magazine 91 Points
The 2011 Cote Rotie Les Essartailles is meaty, earthy and borderline herbaceous, with notions of olive tapenade, wild herbs, underbrush and sweet blackberry and kirsch-styled fruit. Medium-bodied, lively and fresh on the palate, it won’t make old bones but will drink nicely for 8-10 years. - Robert Parker 88 Points
