François Villard : Reflet 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Saint-Joseph "Reflet" 2023 by François Villard

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a deep red hue with violet nuances.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is complex, blending red and black fruit aromas, such as blackcurrant and blackberry, with delicate floral notes of violet and peony. Ageing brings subtle spicy touches of white pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg, all underscored by a minerality reminiscent of graphite and flint.

Palate
The attack is silky and refined. The mid-palate, medium-bodied, is supported by polished, ultra-fine tannins that structure the whole without weighing it down. The finish, persistent and beautifully taut, extends with great mineral freshness.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with flavourful meats such as sautéed rabbit, roasted venison or duck breast. It will also enhance beef tartare, a fine grilled cut of beef, Mediterranean dishes with herbs, as well as mature cheeses, particularly a bleu d'Auvergne.

Service and storage

The "Reflet" 2023 offers great appeal in its youth while also possessing excellent ageing potential. It can be enjoyed from 2025 onwards and will continue to evolve favourably until around 2038.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%. It is certified organic.

The pure and mineral expression of a Rhône Valley wine

The estate

A former sommelier and chef, François Villard founded his estate in 1989 by planting his first vines. Now at the helm of the property, he manages a vineyard of around 40 hectares spread across the region's finest appellations. Based in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, the estate stands out for its organic certification and a minimal-intervention winemaking philosophy. François Villard now favours the authentic expression of terroir, producing wines renowned for their elegance, freshness and great finesse.

The vineyard

The grapes for this cuvée come from plots located within the Saint-Joseph appellation, spread across the communes of Limony, Chavanay, Saint Pierre de Bœuf and Félines. Around 15 years old, the vines thrive on soils composed of decomposed granite and quartz, giving the wine its mineral signature. The vineyard is entirely hand-farmed, with no mechanisation whatsoever.

The vintage

2023 allowed for optimal ripeness development. The harvest was carried out by hand, with careful plot-by-plot assessment to pick the berries at their perfect physiological maturity.

Winemaking and ageing

The "Reflet" 2023 is vinified using indigenous yeasts, without extreme temperature control, incorporating a proportion of whole clusters specifically calibrated for this vintage. The wine undergoes no sterile filtration. Ageing takes place over a period of 18 months in French oak barrels, comprising 20% new barrels and 80% barrels that have previously held two to four wines.

Grape variety

Syrah (100%)