Julien Cecillon ‘Cornilhac’ Marsanne 2022

Location: France, Rhône

Winemaker: Julien & Nancy Cecillon

Grapes: Marsanne

Soil: limestone clay

Winemaking: Vinified in a combination of oak and stainless steel, with full malolactic and 9 months in cellar before bottling.

‘Cornilhac’ Marsanne: a negociant blend of Marsanne—20% of the fruit comes from vineyards in Saint-Joseph, and the rest equal parts from Saint-Péray and Ardéche. Julien and Nancy describes this as “a lovely Marsanne typical North of the Rhone. Smoky, roasted notes brought on by the ageing process show alongside the floral and honey flavors of the Marsanne varietal. Ripe, yet vibrant fruit, with an elegant mineral finish.”

From the Importer Paris Wine Company: 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.