2023 Domaine Durand Saint-Péray, Rhône Valley, France
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ABOUT THIS WINE
This is a classic Northern Rhône white built around Marsanne and Roussanne, but it leans more toward freshness, mineral tension, and finesse than the heavier, honeyed style people sometimes associate with Rhône whites. From Saint-Péray, which sits at the southern end of the Northern Rhône, immediately west of the Rhône River near Cornas. This 2023 is 50% Marsanne / 50% Roussanne. This vintage was vinified through whole-bunch pressing, low-temperature settling for natural clarification, and temperature-controlled fermentation.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
While the Cecillon label only recently began, Julien’s family has been documented making wine in Tournon for eleven generations. Today, Julien and his wife are dedicated to producing exceptional terroir-driven wines at their small winery, which is located near Tournon, in the historic center of the Rhône Valley.
Julien Cecillon grew up in Tournon-sur-Rhône, surrounded by the maternal branch of the family that includes iconic producers such as his cousin, Bernard Faurie, and uncle Jean-Louis Grippat. After meeting Nancy Kerschen while working at a winery in California, the two decided to return to Tournon and create their own estate. Acquiring small parcels by chance, opportunity, and perseverance, Julien and Nancy have worked together with tireless focus to craft wines that establish their own reputation amongst the best producers in the Northern Rhône. Though they are running the winery on their own, the couple certainly benefits from the guidance of Julien’s winemaking heritage. Jean-Louis Grippat, now retired, can be called on for advice, and loves to ride his bicycle past his nephew’s vines to verify that all the vineyard work is timely and proper.
Julien and Nancy farm estate parcels in the appellations of Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage, as well as two hectares of Viognier and Gamay further into the Ardèche hills near the village of Ardoix, which are classified as Vin de France. To broaden the range of wines, they also work with local growers to produce several micro-négociant cuvées. All of the wines at the domaine are produced with native yeasts and are aged primarily in used barrels to create harmonious, balanced wines that highlight the unique terroirs of the Northern Rhône.