Pierre-Jean Villa : Jardin Suspendu 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of Condrieu "Jardin Suspendu" 2023 by Pierre-Jean Villa

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a pale golden yellow hue, enhanced by delicate pearly glints.

Nose
Intense and remarkably complex, the nose exudes aromas of white flowers (jasmine, honeysuckle, acacia) and white-fleshed fruits such as peach and pear. Aeration reveals hints of candied citrus, ginger, honey and aromatic herbs, all underpinned by a mineral backbone reminiscent of flint.

Palate
The attack is broad and silky. The palate offers a remarkable balance between the grape variety's natural richness and a lovely freshness. The round, sappy texture unfolds over fruity and floral flavours, before ending on a long, saline, mineral finish.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with delicate fish such as turbot with beurre blanc, pan-seared scallops or a creamy asparagus risotto. It also goes very well with lightly spiced Asian cuisine, sushi, or creamy cheeses such as brie.

Service and storage

Ready to enjoy from now on, this wine can also be cellared and is best enjoyed by around 2033.

The mineral and authentic expression of a Condrieu wine

The estate

Founded in 2009 by Pierre-Jean Villa, the eponymous estate quickly established itself as a key reference in the Rhône Valley, France. Located in Chavanay, the estate now spans some twenty hectares across prestigious appellations. Still at the helm of the estate, Pierre-Jean Villa now works in close collaboration with his children, Hugo and Pauline. A committed advocate of environmentally friendly viticulture, the winemaker favours organic and biodynamic practices, along with minimal-intervention winemaking, to let the authenticity of each terroir shine through.

The vineyard

The "Jardin Suspendu" cuvée comes from the Condrieu appellation. The vines, around fifteen years old, are planted on steep, south-facing terraces. This distinctive terroir, once home to vegetable gardens, rests on shallow, gravelly soils. These are composed of decomposed granite known as "arzelle", which gives the wine its distinctive mineral signature.

The vintage

2023 began with a cold winter followed by a spring with gradually increasing rainfall. The end of the spring season, marked by strong disease pressure, required constant attention. The extended summer period then allowed for a slow, measured ripening of the berries, ultimately yielding grapes with a perfect balance of freshness, tension and beautiful aromatic expression.

Winemaking and aging

For the 2023 "Jardin Suspendu" cuvée, whole-bunch harvested grapes are pressed directly. After cold settling, fermentation starts spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged for 10 to 12 months in 600-litre demi-muids and clay amphorae, with light lees stirring. Clarification is minimal, with no fining.

Grape variety

100% Viognier.