2021 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Les Vignes d'a Cote Syrah Rhone 750 ml

Yves Cuilleron is one of the most recognized producers in the Northern Rhône, and their Les Vignes d'à Coté shows why the Northern Rhône is the epicenter for Syrah around the world—and not just for priceless bottlings.

The family controls 75 hectares throughout the prestigious appellations of the Northern Rhône. In addition to the white-wine AOCs of Condrieu and Saint-Peray, they’re firmly in Côte-Rôtie, Cornas, and Saint-Joseph. And given the prestige of the terroir and the producer, it’s no wonder that their top bottlings push the $100 price point.

But the care they put into those collector-worthy wines is apparent in the Vignes d'à Coté. The name means “vines from next to,” and they refer to the wine’s closeness to what Cuilleron would call the “Grands Crus of the Rhône.”

The Cuilleron domaine has been around for over a century in the hamlet of Verlieu. Yves Cuilleron’s grandfather was the first to bottle wine, in 1947, and Yves’s uncle took control of the domaine in 1960. Yves took over in 1987 and has made his presence felt in a big way, building an entirely new facility and acquiring new vineyard property.

Northern Rhône Syrah is known for its rich black fruit and complex granitic elements. This one was aged in 50% oak barrels and 50% stainless steel, a weeknight wine that manages to capture why this style is so revered, from the aromas of dense black cherry, pepper, and violet to the long-lasting finish.