François Villard : Mairlant 2020

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Mairlant 2020 from François Villard

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep red hue with dark highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals aromas of black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant) accompanied by characteristic peppery notes, with floral touches reminiscent of violet. The bouquet shows moderate intensity and fine aromatic complexity.

Palate

The attack is supple and welcoming. On the palate, the wine unfolds with lovely density and a fine yet well-present tannic structure. Freshness carries through to a long, elegant finish, marked by a persistent mineral expression.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal match for confit leg of lamb, osso buco, or red meats. It also pairs very well with game preparations such as doe venison.

Serving and cellaring

The Mairlant 2020 can be enjoyed now or cellared until around 2035.

An elegant, mineral Saint-Joseph from the Northern Rhône Valley

The estate

Founded in 1989 by François Villard, the Domaine François Villard now covers around 45 hectares in the Northern Rhône Valley. A former chef who switched to viticulture after sommelier training in Tain-l'Hermitage and then a BTS in viticulture and oenology in Mâcon, François Villard has developed his estate with passion. Certified organic since 2022, the estate is renowned for a philosophy that favors finesse over power and the mineral expression of granite terroirs. François Villard remains the sole owner and personally oversees all viticultural and winemaking operations.

The vineyard

The Saint-Joseph Mairlant comes from plots located in the communes of Ardoix, Chavanay, and Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf. The vines, around 25 to 30 years old, are planted on south-east-facing slopes on decomposed granite soils typical of the appellation. Yields are deliberately limited to 42 hectoliters per hectare. The steep topography requires exclusively manual work, both for vineyard upkeep and harvesting.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in the Northern Rhône Valley benefited from favorable conditions that made it possible to achieve optimal grape ripeness. The balance between concentration and freshness was preserved, avoiding excessive overripeness while ensuring full phenolic development.

Vinification and aging

The Mairlant 2020 is vinified with 80 to 95% whole clusters, using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Fermentation takes place over about 14 days in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and wooden vats. Aging is carried out for approximately 18 months in 3- to 5-year-old French oak barrels, allowing gentle oxygenation without a dominant oaky aromatic contribution.

Grape variety

100% Syrah