François Villard : Les Terrasses du Palat 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for François Villard's Condrieu "Les Terrasses du Palat" 2022

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a pale yellow hue with beautiful brightness and moderate intensity.

Nose
The nose opens with delicate floral notes evoking violet and white flowers, before revealing luscious aromas of yellow fruit such as apricot, pear and white peach, underscored by a subtle touch of honey and minerality.

Palate
On the palate, this white wine from France offers a remarkable balance between tangy freshness and the roundness of yellow fruit. The texture is silky and smooth, leading to a long, elegant and mineral finish.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs wonderfully with seafood such as lobster or langoustines, but also with white meats in creamy sauces, roasted poultry or Asian dishes flavoured with fresh herbs. It will also enhance a mature goat's cheese or a dessert made with yellow fruit.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the Condrieu "Les Terrasses du Palat" 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of between 11 and 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now, but its fine structure will allow it to evolve favourably in the cellar until around 2032.

The elegance and expression of the Rhône terroir

The estate

Founded in 1989, the estate is run by its creator and sole owner, François Villard. Located in the heart of the northern Rhône Valley, the estate now spans more than 40 hectares of vines. A former chef turned passionate winemaker, François Villard has developed his style over the decades, moving from opulent cuvées towards wines that above all seek finesse, balance and elegance. Certified organic, the estate is dedicated to conveying the authentic expression of its great terroirs through meticulous, hands-on work.

The vineyard

The grapes come from plots located in the communes of Chavanay and Vérin, at the two extremities of the Condrieu appellation. The vines, around 25 years old, are planted on steep terraces made up of granitic soils rich in mica. This exceptional terroir, worked entirely by hand and cultivated according to organic farming principles, promotes optimal natural drainage and gives the wine its characteristic minerality.

The vintage

2022 was marked by a particularly hot and dry summer. Fortunately, welcome rains in August and September helped perfect ripening. These climatic conditions produced grapes of great concentration while preserving good acidity, essential to the vine's growth cycle and to the wine's future balance.

Winemaking and aging

After hand-harvesting, the grapes destined for the Condrieu "Les Terrasses du Palat" 2022 undergo direct pressing followed by cold maceration. Fermentation takes place in barrels using native yeasts. The wine is then aged on fine lees for 11 to 16 months, with 15% new oak barrels, accompanied by regular lees stirring during the first six months to add complexity without masking the purity of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% Viognier