Remarkably, the Grand Saint-Cyr estate was established in 2012, which is absolutely unheard of in a region as storied and prestigious as Côte-Rôtie and whose lands are notoriously scarce. However, Grand Saint-Cyr’s tiny 1.5 hectare vineyard site is crafting incredibly elegant, fresh and energetically classic wine. The vineyard site is attached the ancestral home of siblings Aube Chapuis and Hervé Gibert. The plot itself had returned to wild forest after remaining unplanted for over fifty years. Once, rejuvenated, the organically-farmed vineyard is composed of mica and schist soils planted to three different ancestral clones of Syrah and some Viognier. The estate produces just 3000 bottles a year and has begun to develop cult status.

The flagship Grand Saint-Cyr Cumelle Côte-Rôtie is a co-fermented blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier with 30% inclusion of ripe stems during fermentation. The Cumelle pours a deep purple with a crimson rim, presenting an explosion of dark red berry and stone fruit aromas underlain with hints of tapenade, dried herbs and sweet tobacco. The medium- to full-bodied palate is dense and rich with ripe flavors of blackberry, cherry and plum beautifully braced by a vibrant acidity. This wine is wonderfully structured with supple, well-integrated tannins and a subtle mineral streak that runs throughout, leading to a finish that is refined and saline-kissed. Pair with roast shoulder of beef served with garlic and rosemary whipped potatoes or a traditional lamb stew with root vegetables.