François Villard : Villa Pontciana 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Villa Pontciana 2020 from François Villard

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a brilliant straw-yellow hue with golden highlights.

Nose

The nose unveils a complex, delicate aromatic palette, combining floral notes of white blossoms with aromas of candied citrus and lemon zest. Hints of exotic fruit and honey round out the bouquet, along with subtle vanilla nuances from barrel aging.

Palate

The palate stands out for its roundness and finesse, offering a generous texture without heaviness. The wine’s vibrancy and purity shine through, carried by lively freshness and remarkable precision. The balance between richness and minerality defines this complex, nuanced wine, which lingers with great length on the finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Condrieu is an ideal match for Provençal-style sea bream, salmon paupiettes, or chilled asparagus with mousseline sauce. It also pairs elegantly with delicate white fish, buttered shellfish, creamy poultry dishes, or foie gras. Citrus-based desserts, such as a lemon tart, also make an interesting pairing.

Serving and cellaring

Villa Pontciana 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 13°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to develop favorably. It will reach its peak around 10 years after the vintage, with cellaring potential extending to about 15 years.

An exceptional Condrieu from fifty-year-old vines in the Rhône Valley

The estate

Founded in 1989 by François Villard, a former chef turned winemaker, the estate now spans around 45 hectares in the northern Rhône Valley. Starting with an initial vineyard parcel in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, François Villard built his reputation on the steep terroirs of Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph and Cornas. Certified organic since 2022. François Villard, who still runs the estate, favors an elegant, minimalist approach, seeking the pure expression of terroir rather than power. Recognized by the Guide Vert of La Revue du Vin de France with two stars, the estate ranks among the region’s benchmark names.

The vineyard

Villa Pontciana comes from a parcel located at the lieu-dit Poncins in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, at the heart of the Condrieu appellation. This was the very first parcel acquired by François Villard in 1989. The vines, averaging fifty years old, are planted on narrow, steep terraces made up of mica-rich granite soils. This geological substrate typical of Condrieu provides excellent natural drainage and remarkable mineral richness. The age of the vines allows deep roots to draw minerals and water even during dry periods, while producing naturally concentrated yields.

Vinification and aging

After the harvest, the Villa Pontciana 2020 grapes are pressed directly. The resulting juice is quickly cooled and then, after settling to remove coarse particles, racked into oak barrels for alcoholic fermentation. Fermentation is carried out exclusively with naturally occurring indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place over ten to sixteen months in barrels, with around 30% new oak and 70% three- to five-year-old used barrels. During this phase, the wine rests on fine lees without racking and undergoes regular lees stirring for six months. An additional four to seven months in stainless-steel tank may complete the aging. This cuvée results from a blend of barrels.

Grape variety

100% Viognier