Pierre-Jean Villa : Préface 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Préface 2024 Pierre-Jean Villa

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a beautiful violet hue, reflecting the youth and vibrancy of this red wine.

Nose
The nose is refined and complex, exuding aromas of fresh dark fruit intertwined with characteristic notes of pepper and peat. Subtle touches of spice, smoke, olive, herbs and violet enrich this aromatic bouquet.

Palate
On the palate, the wine stands out for its lightness, elegance and remarkable mineral precision. The structure is well-balanced, supported by silky tannins and lovely acidity, leading to a fresh, lingering finish dominated by mineral and smoky notes.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with flavourful meats such as roasted or braised lamb, as well as game like venison. It also goes wonderfully with herb-infused charcuterie, Mediterranean-inspired dishes, mushroom-based recipes, and hard, aged cheeses such as Comté.

Service and storage

For optimal enjoyment, it is recommended to serve the Saint-Joseph "Préface" 2024 at a temperature between 16 and 18°C, taking care to open the bottle half an hour before serving. This wine can be enjoyed in its youth but will continue to evolve favourably, drinking well until around 2034.

The elegance and mineral precision of a Saint-Joseph wine

The estate

Founded in 2009 in Chavanay, in the area known as the Jassoux Grand Val wine-growing zone in France, the Pierre-Jean Villa estate quickly established itself in the Rhône Valley. Built entirely from scratch without any inherited plots, the vineyard now spans twenty hectares farmed organically. Still at the helm of the estate, Pierre-Jean Villa was joined in 2022 by his children, Hugo and Pauline, with the latter now playing a central role in its management. The estate stands out for its respectful approach to the terroir.

The vineyard

The grapes used for this cuvée come from a vineyard of around two hectares located in the northern, cooler part of the Saint-Joseph appellation. The vines, ranging from 30 to 90 years old and including the old local Serine variety, thrive on soils made up of schist and gneiss overlying a granite bedrock, benefiting from a south and southeast exposure. The estate practises organic viticulture, without the use of herbicides, in order to preserve biodiversity and the authentic expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The year 2024 was marked by unpredictable weather and particularly demanding growing conditions in the region, resulting in very low yields. Despite these climatic challenges and a cool season, the harvest took place under sunny skies, allowing for the picking of healthy, concentrated grapes with remarkable freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The making of the Saint-Joseph "Préface" 2024 relies on a minimal-intervention approach. Following a hand-picked harvest, the winemaking process incorporates 30 to 50% whole clusters. Maceration lasts around twenty days, with fermentation taking place in stainless steel vats triggered by indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for fourteen months in used oak barrels of 225 and 500 litres. Racking and bottling are carried out according to the lunar calendar, without fining or filtration wherever possible.

Grape variety

100% Syrah.