François Villard : Certitude 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of the "Certitude" 2022 François Villard

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a deep red with dark, bluish hues.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is complex, blending black and blue fruit aromas such as blackcurrant with notes of violet, wild herbs and tapenade. Subtle touches of pepper, game, coffee beans and smoke enrich the whole, underscored by a delicate mineral and woody imprint.

Palate
Wonderfully full-bodied, the palate offers a silky texture supported by supple, moderate tannins. Well-integrated acidity brings great freshness that balances the depth of the fruit. The finish stands out for its length, complexity and a beautiful mineral expression of the terroir.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled meats, such as herb-crusted lamb, peppered beef, or game like venison. It also goes very well with slow-cooked dishes such as coq au vin, terrines, fine cured meats, mushroom-rich vegetable gratins, as well as characterful cheeses like Saint-Félicien.

Service and storage

This "Certitude" 2022 can be enjoyed now, but it will continue to develop and can be kept until around 2035.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 12.5%.

The elegance and complexity of a great Crozes-Hermitage wine

The estate

Founded in 1989 with the planting of its first vines, the estate of François Villard is located in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, at the heart of the Rhône Valley, in France. Originally a chef, François Villard, the current owner and manager, has succeeded in establishing his estate as one of the region's leading names. Today, the vineyard spans over 40 hectares of owned land. Certified organic, the estate is distinguished by an environmentally respectful philosophy, favouring late harvests and minimal intervention to fully express the authenticity of its terroirs.

The vineyard

This Crozes-Hermitage wine comes exclusively from three distinct plots located on the Plateau de Chassis, within the commune of Mercurol. This terroir benefits from a hot continental climate and is characterised by soils composed of sandy clay and rolled pebbles, offering ideal conditions to combine ripeness, freshness and minerality.

The vintage

The year 2022 was marked by particularly hot and dry climatic conditions. This sunny, arid weather favoured a growing cycle that resulted in grapes of great ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

For the "Certitude" 2022 cuvée, the winemaking is carried out with 100% whole bunches to preserve freshness and structure. The wine is then aged for a period of eighteen months, exclusively in Burgundy oak barrels aged five to six years, allowing for a gentle evolution without marking the wine with overly pronounced woody aromas.

Grape variety

100% Syrah