In the glass
Aroma: dark cherry, violet, smoked herbs, pepper, iron mineral
Palate: concentrated dark fruit, mineral grip, firm tannins, licorice, long finish
Cuilleron's flagship Cote-Rotie, expressing the dark, smoky mineral character of the Cote Brune parcels. Terre Sombre means dark earth, reflecting the iron-rich schist soils.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder
The wine's concentration and mineral character match slow-cooked lamb. -
Duck confit with black olives
Black olive notes in the wine echo the preparation while dark fruit matches duck. -
Venison ragout with herbes de Provence
Game and herbs echo the wine's dark mineral and herbal character.
How to serve Cote-Rotie Terres Sombres
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, Duck confit with black olives, Venison ragout with herbes de Provence. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Terres Sombres is Cuilleron's Cote-Rotie from the Cote Brune sector, expressing the dark, iron-mineral character of the darker schist soils that distinguish the Brune from the lighter Blonde slope.
- 1995 — First vintage of Terres Sombres as Cuilleron's flagship Cote-Rotie
Facts
- Producer
- Yves Cuilleron
- Grapes
- Syrah (96%), Viognier (4%)
- Classification
- Cote-Rotie AOC
- Oak
- 18 months in new and used French oak barriques
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 45-70 at retail
- Drinking window
- 6-18 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1995
- Organic
- ECOCERT
Frequently asked about Cote-Rotie Terres Sombres
What does Cote-Rotie Terres Sombres taste like?
On the nose, dark cherry, violet, smoked herbs, pepper, iron mineral. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit, mineral grip, firm tannins, licorice, long finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, mineral and peppery finish. Cuilleron's flagship Cote-Rotie, expressing the dark, smoky mineral character of the Cote Brune parcels. Terre Sombre means dark earth, reflecting the iron-rich schist soils.
When should I drink Cote-Rotie Terres Sombres?
Drink 6-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Cote-Rotie Terres Sombres?
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Duck confit with black olives and Venison ragout with herbes de Provence. The wine's concentration and mineral character match slow-cooked lamb.
What grapes are in Cote-Rotie Terres Sombres?
The blend is Syrah (96%), Viognier (4%). The wine is classified as Cote-Rotie AOC.