François Villard : Le Grand Vallon 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Condrieu "Le Grand Vallon" 2022 by François Villard

Tasting notes

Colour
The wine reveals a brilliant white colour with luminous highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals beautiful complexity, blending notes of spiced apple, dried lemon zest and wild herbs with subtle mineral and floral touches reminiscent of violet and acacia. With aeration, aromas of fresh citrus, stone fruit and toasted almond emerge.

Palate
On the palate, this wine reveals a medium body and a dense core, offering refreshing flavours of white peach, apricot and pear. The whole is elevated by a mineral salinity, floral nuances and light spice. The acidity brings lovely freshness and precise balance, leading to a long finish marked by notes of almond and citrus.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with seafood and delicate white fish, such as scallop tartines or langoustine ravioli. It also pairs very well with Asian cuisine, Mediterranean dishes with fresh herbs, as well as Rigotte de Condrieu cheese.

Service and storage

This 2022 vintage offers remarkable aging potential and can be cellared for enjoyment until around 2037.

The authentic expression of a great white wine from the Rhône Valley

The estate

A former chef and sommelier, François Villard founded his estate in 1989, planting his first vines. Today, he still heads this estate, which spans around forty hectares of owned vineyards. Recognised for its environmentally respectful approach, the estate achieved organic certification in 2022. The winemaker is dedicated to producing balanced wines that prioritise the authentic expression of terroir and freshness, making him an essential figure in the region.

The vineyard

The Condrieu "Le Grand Vallon" cuvée comes from a 1.75-hectare plot located in the south of the appellation, in the Grand Val lieu-dit. The vines, around 25 years old, are planted on steep terraces with an east to southeast exposure. The terroir is distinguished by soils of quartzitic granite mixed with loess and dark biotite magmatite, rich in iron and magnesium. The high planting density encourages deep rooting, reinforcing the mineral expression.

The vintage

The year 2022 was marked by a warm spring followed by an exceptionally dry and scorching summer. These weather conditions led to early vegetative development, requiring an early harvest starting in early August.

Winemaking and aging

After direct pressing and cold settling, fermentation takes place at low temperature with indigenous yeasts, in oak barrels (10% new wood). A natural malolactic fermentation follows. Aging lasts a total of 16 months: 12 months in barrels on fine lees, with weekly stirring during the first six months, followed by 4 months in stainless steel tanks to complete stabilisation.

Grape variety

Viognier (100%).