François Villard : Version 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of Saint-Péray "Version" 2022 by François Villard

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a pale yellow hue, enhanced by delicate golden reflections.

Nose
Intense and complex, the nose opens with generous aromas of stone fruits such as peach and apricot, harmoniously blended with notes of citrus and white flowers. As it opens up, subtle mineral touches of flint, fresh herbs, sweet spices and vanilla emerge.

Palate
Full-bodied and rich, the palate captivates with its precision and volume. The fruity flavours are perfectly balanced by a lovely mineral and saline tension in the mid-palate. The finish, remarkably persistent, lingers on elegant notes of almond and sweet spices.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with lobster bisque, a creamy risotto or poached fish in sauce. It will also enhance poultry with mushrooms, dishes with mild Asian spices, as well as a warm apple tart flambéed with Calvados for dessert.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the Saint-Péray "Version" 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 12 to 14°C in a medium-sized white wine glass. This wine can be enjoyed now and offers an optimal tasting window of five to seven years, while possessing the structure needed to evolve in the cellar until around 2037.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%.

The balance and minerality of a great white wine from Saint-Péray

The estate

Founded in 1988 with the acquisition of a first plot, the estate is today led by its founder, François Villard. Located in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, in the northern part of the Rhône Valley, the estate spans over forty hectares. A former chef and sommelier, François Villard has established his estate among the region's leading names. Guided by a philosophy inspired by Burgundy, he favours finesse, elegance and the authentic expression of terroir. The estate, currently converting to organic farming, stands out for its constant pursuit of balance, producing wines that combine mineral freshness with aromatic richness.

The vineyard

The vineyard from which this wine originates is located within the Saint-Péray appellation. The vines, around twenty years old, thrive on a distinctive terroir composed of a base of decomposed granite covered with clay soils. The estate favours environmentally friendly viticulture, currently converting to organic farming, with harvests carried out entirely by hand to ensure a rigorous selection of grapes at optimal ripeness.

The vintage

The year 2022 was marked by demanding weather conditions across Europe, with intense heat and significant water stress. However, the region's continental climate and meticulous work in the vineyards helped preserve the freshness of the grapes. Harvesting took place between the end of August and the beginning of September, yielding grapes of remarkable quality.

Winemaking and aging

After whole-bunch direct pressing without maceration, the fermentation of the Saint-Péray "Version" 2022 begins spontaneously through indigenous yeasts. Aging then takes place over sixteen months in French oak barrels aged three to five years, with no new wood used. The wine rests on its lees with weekly stirring during the first six months, without any racking, in order to preserve its aromatic precision and freshness.

Grape variety

Marsanne