Julien Cécillon “Les Graviers” Syrah Vin de France ’22

Julien and Nancy Cécillon founded their estate in 2012, having met while he was working at a winery in California. They returned to Tournon, where Julien is from, and whose family has been making wine for 11 generations, and now farm estate parcels in the Northern Rhône appellations of Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage, as well as a few hectares near Ardoix, which are classified as Vin de France. They also work with local growers to produce several micro-négociant cuvées. All the wines at the domaine are produced with native yeasts and are aged primarily in used barrels.
 
“Les Graviers” is a négociant blend made from 100% Syrah from three plots: 40% in the south of the Ardèche, 40% in the Drôme Provençale and 20% in the north of the Rhône. The soils in this 4 ha cluster of vineyards are clay-limestone and granite with gravel (gravier in French). Native yeast fermentation is 70% destemmed, 30% whole-cluster in stainless steel. Élevage is 8 to 14 months in neutral barrels.
 
Dry and medium bodied, with moderate tannins and acidity, “Les Graviers” shows notes of red and black fruits, dried savory herbs, and tapenade. It’s delicious and drinkable now, with an open quality that makes it an everyday, easy-drinking, food-friendly wine. Try it with a plate of cheese and charcuterie, with roasted vegetables, herb-roasted chicken, or a lentil stew.