Yves Cuilleron Saint Joseph Le Lombard / 2016 / 375mL
Description:
Origin: old vines (40 years) facing east/southeast, on the slopes of Coteau de Verlieu. Le Lombard is not a district but a cuvée brand.
Soils: sandy, granitic.
Varieties planted: marsanne.
Cultivation: high-density planting (8,000-10,000 vines per hectare). No insecticides or pesticides, few treatments (depending on weather), small amount of organic-only fertiliser, with respect of soil and vine balance. Vigour and yield control, leaf-thinning and green harvesting to promote grape maturation.
Vinification: the grapes are hand-picked when fully ripe, then sorted and pressed in the cellar. Alcoholic and malolactic fermented in barriques with native yeasts.
Maturing: 9 months in barriques, on the lees, no racking, regular stirring.
Alcohol content: 13%.
Output: approx. 9,000 bottles
Style: a complex nose that blends the subtle fruitiness of Marsanne grapes with the toasted and roasted notes of ageing. Highly expressive on the palate, marrying a rich and rounded feel with just the right measure of freshness.
Ageing: can be drunk for the primary aromas up to 3-4 years, but also for the secondary aromas from 6-10 years.
Food match: serve between 12-14°C with fish and shellfish (e.g. langoustine with herbs, red-mullet fillets with asparagus).