2011 Yves Cuilleron, Saint-Joseph, L’ Amarybelle, Vieilles Vignes, Rhone, France.
I tasted the 2011 L’ Amarybelle twice now, and both times was left very much impressed, this Saint-Joseph old vine Syrah is just beautiful in everyday, very much like a Cote-Rotie in style with elegance, delicacy and clear with a long persistent finish. While drinking very generous and graceful now, this lovely wine should fill out and gain complexity with some bottle age, Cuilleron is a master at making superb early enjoyment in his offerings, his wines show a pure focus of flavors and refinement right at release, even though they can age nicely for many years. His regular varietal bottling are great value wines as well, so don’t miss they, his latest Roussanne and Viognier are both wonderful especially, though if you want some a bit more serious then wines like his Condrieu and this Saint-Joseph L’ Amarybelle really do the trick. The 2011 L’ Amarybelle starts with violets, camphor, graphite and minerally dark fruits with hints of truffle and spice leading to a medium weight palate of boysenberry, cassis, blackberry, plum, anise and pea gravel along with peppercorns, black olives, blueberry and mountain herbs. The finish is long and graceful, with pretty elements lingering on the youthful and slightly chalky aftertaste. Drink this fine terroir driven effort over the next 5 to 7 years, best between 2015 and 2022, Cuilleron makes great go to Rhones, I’ve been a big fan for many years and continue to be greatly impressed by his stylish wines, be sure to check these latest releases, they are some of his best yet.
($45 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive