Domaine François Villard

2022 Côte-Rôtie AOC Montlys

Of Côte-Rôtie’s two famously juxtaposed soils, Côte Brune and Côte Blonde, referring to the dark brown mica schists (brune) and the pale yellow gneiss (blonde) that define these two halves the ‘roasted slope’, trusted Rhône correspondent Matt Walls considers Villard’s Côte-Rôtie’s (both of which are located on Côte Brune, Le Gallet Blanc’s cuvée name notwithstanding) perfect examples of how the classically more structured and broad-shouldered flavour profile of these dark brown mica schists comes through in the wines, especially the Montlys cuvée (ref.). With only 2000 bottles made, this is a rare treat. As the name suggests, this extremely limited wine is composed entirely of François’s prized lieu-dit Montlys, he crafts this wine with 100% whole cluster fermentation in open wood and stainless steel before racking it to French oak for 18 months, 1/5th of which is new; 13% ABV. For lovers of Côte-Rôtie, we are so excited to offer this paragon of terroir. Sadly, only 36 bottles are available. Enjoyable on release but, true to the Brune terroir’s reputation, eminently ageable. Cellaring potential: 15 years.