François Villard : Le Grand Vallon 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Condrieu "Le Grand Vallon" 2023 François Villard

Tasting

Colour
A pale golden hue reveals itself, nuanced by subtle variations in depth that reflect its patient ageing.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with delicate floral notes of violet and acacia, harmoniously blended with aromas of white peach and apricot. As it breathes, the ensemble is enriched with scents of spring flowers, honeysuckle, and subtle pastry touches.

Palate
Full-bodied and generous, the palate stands out with lovely tension and fine mineral salinity. The balance is perfect, leading to a persistent, elegant finish where the fruity flavours gradually give way to notes of citrus and minerals.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with delicate seafood such as scallop toasts or langoustine ravioli. It also goes very well with oysters, fish in creamy sauces, or a mature goat cheese such as Rigotte de Condrieu.

Serving and storage

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to store this Condrieu "Le Grand Vallon" 2023 in a dark place, with suitable humidity and a constant temperature between 12 and 15°C. With remarkable ageing potential, this wine can be enjoyed after a few years of settling and will continue to evolve until around 2038.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%.

The mineral expression and richness of a Condrieu white wine

The estate

A former chef with a passion for gastronomy, François Villard founded his estate in 1989 by planting his first vine. Located in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, in the heart of the Rhône Valley, the estate has developed with patience and rigour over the years. Now overseeing a vineyard of around sixty-four hectares, François Villard is recognised as a key figure in the region. The estate stands out for its environmentally conscious approach, favouring sustainable methods and minimal intervention in the cellar to allow the authenticity of each terroir to fully express itself.

The vineyard

Hailing from the Condrieu appellation, this wine comes from the "Le Grand Val" lieu-dit, located in the commune of Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf. The vines, around twenty-five years old, benefit from an ideal east and south-east exposure, on steep terraced slopes. The terroir is characterised by distinctive soils of dark biotite magmatite, a granitic rock rich in iron and magnesium. Cultivated according to organic farming principles, this high-density vineyard requires meticulous manual work and mechanical soil maintenance.

Winemaking and ageing

Following manual harvesting, the grapes undergo direct, gentle pressing. Fermentation occurs spontaneously at low temperature in barrels, thanks to indigenous yeasts. Ageing spans a total of sixteen months. It begins with a twelve-month period on fine lees in oak barrels (10% new oak), with daily bâtonnage during the first six months. The wine is then transferred to stainless steel tanks for a final four-month maturation.

Grape variety

100% Viognier