François Villard : Mairlant 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of François Villard's Mairlant 2023

Tasting Notes

Appearance
The wine reveals a deep red hue, enhanced by delicate violet highlights.

Nose
Intense and explosive, the aromatic bouquet opens with notes of ripe black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, accompanied by hints of red fruits. The whole is elevated by spicy nuances of black pepper and subtle floral scents reminiscent of violet.

Palate
The attack is supple and reveals a beautiful density. The palate offers a fine, silky and well-integrated tannic structure, without any harshness. A pleasant freshness perfectly balances the generosity of the fruit, leading to a long, vibrant and elegant finish, underlined by a delicate minerality and perfectly integrated oak.

Food and Wine Pairings

This characterful red wine pairs wonderfully with flavourful meats such as a matured rib of beef, herb-roasted lamb or beef cheek slow-cooked in red wine. It will also be an ideal match for a game terrine, smoky dishes or a creamy polenta.

Serving and Cellaring

The Mairlant 2023 already offers great tasting pleasure, but its tannins will continue to soften and evolve favourably in the cellar until around 2030.

The Elegance and Power of a Great Red Wine from Saint-Joseph

The Estate

A former chef with a passion for wine, François Villard founded his estate in 1989 in the northern part of the Rhône Valley in France. Self-taught and visionary, he is still today the owner and manager of this estate, which extends over just over 40 hectares. Renowned for his gastronomic approach, his late-harvest picking and his meticulous work, François Villard has established himself as a leading figure in the region. The estate also stands out for its environmental commitment, having obtained organic farming certification in 2022.

The Vineyard

From the Saint-Joseph appellation, this cuvée comes from vines around 25 years old, planted on steep slopes and narrow terraces. South-east facing, this terroir benefits from light, well-draining soils, mainly composed of decomposed granite, schist and gneiss. The entire vineyard is managed according to the principles of organic farming, requiring entirely manual work to preserve the vitality of the vines.

The Vintage

The 2023 year benefited from exceptional climatic conditions, allowing optimal ripeness to be achieved and offering a perfect expression of the grape variety.

Vinification and Ageing

The Mairlant 2023 harvest is carried out by hand. In the cellar, vinification begins with partial destemming, followed by fermentation in open stainless steel vats using indigenous yeasts. A maceration of around three weeks is carried out, accompanied by gentle punch-downs and pump-overs for measured extraction. Ageing then takes place over a period of 12 to 18 months in barrels, with a proportion of around 20% new oak, in order to refine the tannic structure.

Grape Variety

100% Syrah.