François Villard : Mairlant 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Saint-Joseph "Mairlant" 2022 by François Villard

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a deep red hue, enhanced by delicate violet nuances.

Nose
Complex and deep, the nose reveals intense aromas of ripe black fruits such as blackberry and blackcurrant. This bouquet is further enriched by spicy notes of black pepper, white pepper and thyme, crowned by a subtle floral touch reminiscent of violet.

Palate
The attack is smooth and enveloping, leading into a velvety texture. The palate seduces with its harmonious power and remarkably fine tannins. A lovely freshness balances the whole, leading to a long finish marked by an elegant minerality.

Food and wine pairing

Ideal with matured red meats, this wine pairs beautifully with game such as venison, wild boar or pheasant. It also accompanies braised beef cheek, grilled rib of beef or roast lamb with herbes de Provence with great success.

Service and storage

With great ageing potential, this Saint-Joseph "Mairlant" 2022 will continue to improve with time and can be cellared for enjoyment until around 2047.

The elegance and purity of a great Saint-Joseph by François Villard

The estate

A former chef with a passion for gastronomy, François Villard founded his estate in 1989. Located in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, in the heart of the northern Rhône Valley, the estate has grown to cover around sixty hectares today. Still at the helm of the domaine, François Villard is renowned for his stylistic evolution, now favouring elegance, finesse and the pure expression of terroir. Certified organic since 2022, the estate reflects a strong commitment to environmental respect and a minimalist approach to crafting its great wines.

The vineyard

The grapes come from the northern sector of the Saint-Joseph appellation, in the communes of Limony, Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf, Chavanay and Félines. The vines, around thirty years old, are planted on extremely steep slopes with gradients reaching up to sixty percent, requiring work to be carried out entirely by hand. This terroir benefits from a fine south-east exposure and rests on soils composed of weathered granite and mica-schist, providing excellent natural drainage.

The vintage

The year 2022 stood out for its particularly hot and dry summer period. These favourable weather conditions promoted optimal ripening of the berries while preserving a lovely natural acidity, essential to the balance of the growing cycle.

Winemaking and ageing

The 2022 "Mairlant" harvest is made using 80% whole bunches. Fermentation occurs naturally through indigenous yeasts over approximately fourteen days in stainless steel and wooden vats, with punching down and pumping over. The wine is then aged for eighteen months in French oak barrels aged three to five years, in order to preserve the brightness of the fruit without letting the wood dominate the wine.

Grape variety

100% Syrah