Domaine de Cumelle - Côte-Rôtie Grand Saint-Cyr 2020

Grand Saint-Cyr is a small family estate born from the revival of a steep, long-abandoned vineyard. Siblings Aude Chapuis and Hervé Gibert reclaimed and replanted the 1.5-hectare site in 2012, after more than fifty years beneath forest. Located within the Cumelle lieu-dit in the Côte Brune, the vineyard adjoins their ancestral family home in Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, a property held by the family since 1936.

The demanding slopes are planted with three selections of Syrah, including the prized local Sérine, alongside Viognier. Shallow mica-schist soils and exposed bedrock define the site. Farming has followed organic practices from the outset, with soil cultivation and harvesting performed entirely by hand.

A blend of approximately 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier, Grand Saint-Cyr expresses a fresh, elegant interpretation of Côte-Rôtie. The Syrah is 70% destemmed, given a cold soak, and co-fermented with Viognier in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation also occurs spontaneously.

The wine matures for 18 months in three- to five-year-old Tonnellerie Château d’Ampuis barrels, sourced through Aude’s longstanding relationship with the Guigal family. It is bottled unfiltered after bentonite fining, with no sulfur added at bottling. 

Producer: Domaine de Cumelle

Country: France 

Region: Rhône

Varietal: Syrah, Viognier

Appellation: Côte-Rôtie

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml