François Villard : Gran Reflet 2016

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Gran Reflet 2016 François Villard

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a deep red hue, dark and opaque, reflecting fine concentration and full maturity.

Nose
Powerful and complex, the nose exudes rich aromas of blackberries and dark fruits, enhanced by notes of liquorice and pepper, alongside a subtle, perfectly integrated oaky touch.

Palate
On the palate, the wine reveals itself to be structured and generous, carried by silky tannins of great finesse. The intense flavours of dark fruits balance harmoniously with savoury mineral nuances, extending into a remarkably long finish.

Food and wine pairing

This great red wine will pair wonderfully with characterful meats such as venison steak or beef tournedos with pepper sauce, as well as rich dishes like a blue cheese soufflé made with Bleu d'Auvergne and other well-aged cheeses.

Service and storage

For optimal enjoyment, it is recommended to decant this wine before serving and to taste it at a temperature of between 16 and 18°C. Built to age gracefully, this Gran Reflet 2016 can be enjoyed now but will continue to develop in the cellar until around 2041.

The elegance and minerality of a great red wine from Saint-Joseph in France

The estate

Founded in 1989 by a former chef turned winemaker, the François Villard estate is located in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, at the heart of the Rhône Valley in France. Still run by its eponymous owner and founder, the estate now spans 45 hectares of vines cultivated with meticulous care and entirely by hand. Renowned for his environmentally conscious approach and constant pursuit of quality, François Villard has established himself as a key figure, crafting wines that faithfully express the richness of the Rhône terroirs.

The vineyard

The grapes used in this cuvée come from the finest plots within the Saint-Joseph appellation, located in the northern sector across the communes of Limony, Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf, Chavanay and Félines. Aged 25 years, the vines thrive on steep terraces composed of mica schist resting on a bed of weathered granite, giving the wine its distinctive mineral character.

The vintage

The year 2016 offered particularly mild and bright weather conditions in the region. This ideal climate allowed the berries to reach optimal phenolic ripeness, ensuring perfectly ripe fruit while avoiding excessive concentration, resulting in a wonderfully balanced wine.

Winemaking and aging

The Gran Reflet 2016 is crafted through 100% whole-bunch fermentation, carried out with indigenous yeasts in open wooden vats and stainless steel tanks. After a 14-day maceration allowing for optimal extraction, the wine undergoes a long aging process of 30 months in French oak barrels. Finally, the estate makes the rare choice of allowing its bottles to age in the cellar for nearly a decade before release, ensuring perfect harmony.

Grape variety

This wine is made exclusively from Syrah (100%).