Domaine François Villard

2022 Condrieu AOC Le Grand Vallon

This is a very special single vineyard Viognier as it comes from the lieu-dit called “Le Grand Val” in Saint-Pierre-de-Bouef, a village that actually makes Saint-Joseph AOC except for two tiny delimited lieu-dit sites where a uniquely suitable magmatite sombre biotite soil type create a fascinating expression of Viognier; this is a mica dominant migmatite made when the igneous rock granite is only partially melted into a metamorphic rock, and its dark (‘sombre’) colour is owing to its richness in iron and magnesium, which effect mineral expression. It all comes together to contribute tension, structure, and mineral edge to the Viognier — counterbalancing the grape’s natural tendency toward softness and high alcohol. The result is a texturally layered and extremely ageable Condrieu cut from a different mould than the arzelle soils of Vérin and Château-Grillet in the north. For extra nerd points: The famous lieu-dit at the very north of the appellation boundary, towering over the town of Condrieu itself, Côte Châtillon, has these same odd soils, confined just to that mound cut out by the Arbuel tributary. A side by side tasting would be super fun. The Grand Val vineyard sits at 7,000 vines/ha. East to Southeast exposure. 25yo vines. Direct pressed and low temp. fermented in barrel, native yeasts. Aged 16 months: 12 months on fine lees in oak (10% new), then four months in stainless. 13.5% ABV. 9,691 btls produced. Cellaring potential: 10 years.