Domaine François Villard

2022 Condrieu AOC Les Terrasses du Palat

The Les Terrasses du Palat, the “terraces of the palace,” is crafted from François’s vineyards in Chavanay & Vérin. It blends the two poles of Condrieu expression: Chavanay in the southern portion of the appellation with the loamier granite à muscovite soils shot through with silvery mica and having more water retention, is known for producing the roundest, more floral and opulent expressions of Condrieu; meanwhile, Vérin is in the Northern end of Condrieu (Château-Grillet AOC is in the dead center of it), and its soils are typically those pure granites à biotite rich with black mica and having a very dense composition, arzelle soils in the local shorthand, and these the higher draining yet warmer soils stress the vine while ripening the fruit, providing the tightest and most mineral-driven and long-ageing expressions of Viognier in the world. Combining the two sites gives us an earlier drinking expression without want for tension. 8,500 vines/ha on decomposed granite and quartz. 25yo vines. Direct pressed and fermented at low temps in barrels with native yeasts. Aged 16 months: 12 months in oak on the fine lees followed by four months in stainless. This is François’s earliest 13.5% ABV. 15,690 bottles produced. Cellaring potential: 10 years.
France
White
Biodynamic Wine
Vegan
We add bit Sulphites
Vegan Wine

Region:  Chavanay and Vérin

Appellation:  Condrieu AOC

Varietal/Blend:  100% Viognier

ABV:  13.5%

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Bull Swamp and Manilla vineyards in Baw Baw Shire. The vines were planted in 1961 and and 1964 respectively.

Cellar: First, this wine is direct-pressed and fermented at low temperature in barrels with native yeasts. Then, it is aged 16 months, with 12 months in oak on the fine lees, followed by four months in stainless.

CSPC:  123979

Winemakers Note:  []

What the Critics are saying:  "Bright and juicy, with rich depth to the warm apple, sun tea, blanched almond and honeycomb flavors. Shows beautiful integration and texture, with a thread of smoke and shortbread notes adding roundness. Long and stylish, with succulent acidity and a pleasing bitter note that contributes savory complexity. Drink now through 2030." Score: 93- Wine Enthusiast

A logo for vino al vino with a bottle of wine in the center.
Domaine François Villard
2022 Condrieu AOC Les Terrasses du Palat

Region:  Chavanay and Vérin

Appellation:  Condrieu AOC

France
White
Biodynamic Wine
Vegan
We add bit Sulphites
Vegan Wine
The Les Terrasses du Palat, the “terraces of the palace,” is crafted from François’s vineyards in Chavanay & Vérin. It blends the two poles of Condrieu expression: Chavanay in the southern portion of the appellation with the loamier granite à muscovite soils shot through with silvery mica and having more water retention, is known for producing the roundest, more floral and opulent expressions of Condrieu; meanwhile, Vérin is in the Northern end of Condrieu (Château-Grillet AOC is in the dead center of it), and its soils are typically those pure granites à biotite rich with black mica and having a very dense composition, arzelle soils in the local shorthand, and these the higher draining yet warmer soils stress the vine while ripening the fruit, providing the tightest and most mineral-driven and long-ageing expressions of Viognier in the world. Combining the two sites gives us an earlier drinking expression without want for tension. 8,500 vines/ha on decomposed granite and quartz. 25yo vines. Direct pressed and fermented at low temps in barrels with native yeasts. Aged 16 months: 12 months in oak on the fine lees followed by four months in stainless. This is François’s earliest 13.5% ABV. 15,690 bottles produced. Cellaring potential: 10 years.

TECHNICAL INFO

Varietal/Blend:  100% Viognier

ABV:  13.5%

Vineyard:  François Villard Condrieu AOC Les Terrasses du Palat comes from organic estate vineyards in Chavanay and Vérin. The 25-year-old vines, planted at 8,500 vines per hectare on steep terraces, are grown in granite soils with muscovite and biotite mica.

Cellar: First, this wine is direct-pressed and fermented at low temperature in barrels with native yeasts. Then, it is aged 16 months, with 12 months in oak on the fine lees, followed by four months in stainless.

CSPC:  123979

Winemakers Note: []

What the Critics are saying: "Bright and juicy, with rich depth to the warm apple, sun tea, blanched almond and honeycomb flavors. Shows beautiful integration and texture, with a thread of smoke and shortbread notes adding roundness. Long and stylish, with succulent acidity and a pleasing bitter note that contributes savory complexity. Drink now through 2030." Score: 93- Wine Enthusiast

Giovanni Autuori
Calgary + Alberta South

T: 403-971-1898

E: giovanni@vinoalvino.ca

Joe Gurba
Edmonton + Alberta North

T: 780-203-5284

E: joeg@vinoalvino.ca

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TECHNICAL INFO

Country:  France

Region:  Chavanay and Vérin

Appellation:  Condrieu AOC

Climate: 

Altitude: 

Soils: 

Varietal/Blend:  100% Viognier

Fermentation:  Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in old oak puncheons.

Ageing: 

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Bull Swamp and Manilla vineyards in Baw Baw Shire. The vines were planted in 1961 and and 1964 respectively.

ABV:  13.5%

Produced Cases:  50

CSPC:  123979

Calgary + Alberta South

Andrew Stewart

403-604-0408

andrew@vinoalvino.ca

Rajat Parr & Sashi Moorman in the vineyard

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Edmonton + Alberta North

Joe Gurba

780-203-5284

joe@vinoalvino.ca

Saskatoon + Saskatchewan South

Kerrie Gavin

306-290-0277

kerrie@vinoalvino.ca