‘Les Pierres Sèches’ refers to the dry stone walls used to strengthen the vine terracing. Deep ruby red colour. Vibrant strawberry and mineral scents are deepened by singed earth and tobacco, with a floral quality adding energy. Sharply focused red berry flavours are pleasingly bitter and precise. Turns spicier on the long, clinging finish.

Yves Cuilleron is one of the greats of Condrieu. He is based in the village of Chavanay, just south of Condrieu with familial roots going back a century. His grandfather was the first to bottle wine for commercial purposes in his village. Yves assumed control of the estate from his uncle Antoine in 1987. He increased the exposure of Condrieu but also gained holdings in nearby Cote-Rotie and even acquired vineyards in St-Peray, far to the south.

Syrah (100%)

Syrah (also known as Shiraz in Australia and some other regions) is a bold, dark-skinned grape variety renowned for producing deeply coloured, full-bodied red wines with intense flavour and aging potential. Believed to have originated in the Northern Rhône, Syrah thrives in a range of climates—from the granite slopes of Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie to the sun-drenched vineyards of Barossa Valley and Stellenbosch. In cooler regions, it yields structured wines with aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, violet, black pepper, and smoked meat; while warmer climates bring out riper notes of plum, dark chocolate, spice, and liquorice. Tannic and rich, yet capable of great elegance, Syrah responds beautifully to oak aging and can develop savoury, earthy complexity over time. Whether crafted as a single varietal or blended (notably with Grenache and Mourvèdre), Syrah is a powerhouse grape that combines depth, intensity, and character.

Rhone Valley