François Villard : Les Terrasses du Palat 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for Terrasses du Palat 2021 by François Villard

Tasting

Color

The wine shows a deep yellow hue with bright golden highlights, reflecting the concentration of the grapes at harvest.

Nose

The bouquet is complex and intensely aromatic. It unveils a generous palette dominated by yellow fruits, notably peach and ripe apricot, supported by floral notes of white flowers. Hints of citrus enrich the whole, while touches of almond and sweet spices add an extra dimension. The iodine-tinged minerality, the hallmark of granitic terroirs, brings a distinctive saline freshness to the nose.

Palate

On the palate, the wine unfolds with breadth and a silky, creamy texture, typical of Viognier. The structure shows a lovely richness, perfectly counterbalanced by well-judged acidity that preserves freshness. The palate fully expresses the grape’s character with a generous texture and a fresh, lingering finish. The remarkable length allows stone-fruit and spice aromas to carry through to the finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Condrieu is an ideal match for premium shellfish and seafood, notably a langoustine risotto, scallops, lobster or spiny lobster. It also pairs beautifully with grilled fish and poultry. Foie gras makes for a refined gastronomic pairing. Certain fresh cheeses or aged hard cheeses can also create interesting combinations. This wine can also be enjoyed as an aperitif to highlight its freshness and aromatic complexity. Recommended serving temperature: 12-13°C.

Serving and cellaring

Terrasses du Palat 2021 can be enjoyed as soon as it is released, yet it also has strong aging potential. It will keep easily in the cellar until around 2031. With age, the wine will develop a subtle richness alongside delicious aromas of stone fruits and flowers, while spice and cinnamon notes will become more pronounced.

The precision and vibrancy of a Condrieu

The estate

Established in 1989 by François Villard, the estate quickly became one of the benchmark names of the Northern Rhône Valley. A passionate self-taught winemaker, François Villard began with his first fallow plot in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône before producing his first vintage in 1991, immediately praised by critics. Today, François Villard oversees a 42-hectare vineyard covering nearly all of the Northern Rhône appellations. Certified organic since 2022, the estate crafts authentic, balanced wines that consistently favor finesse over power. Awarded two stars in the Guide Vert of the Revue du Vin de France, François Villard embodies the excellence of a winegrower who constantly seeks the right balance by optimizing the minerality of his terroirs.

The vineyard

The vines for this cuvée are planted in the communes of Chavanay and Vérin, at the heart of the Condrieu appellation. The plots lie on decomposed quartzitic granite soils, bringing minerality, balance and age-worthy structure. A due-south exposure helps achieve concentrated yet well-judged ripeness. The Viognier vines, averaging 25 years old at harvest, allow for a complex, structured expression of the terroir. Yields are strictly controlled at around 42 hectoliters per hectare to concentrate aromas and substance. The vines are planted at a density of 5,000 vines per hectare on the region’s distinctive terraces, enabling cultivation on its steep slopes.

Winemaking and aging

Terrasses du Palat 2021 is vinified with a terroir-respectful approach. Fermentation takes place at low temperature with indigenous yeasts. The wine undergoes weekly lees stirring for six months to build texture and complexity. Aging is carried out in oak barrels, 15% new oak, for 11 months on the lees and without racking, allowing the wine to gain breadth while preserving its hallmark freshness and minerality.

Grape variety

This Vallée du Rhône wine is 100% Viognier.