Domaine François Villard

2022 Saint-Joseph AOC Reflet

This is Domaine François Villard’s top Syrah from his home-turf: Saint-Joseph AOC. The Reflet is a canonical expression of this beguiling terroir. It’s crafted from a selection of François’s best Syrah parcels throughout the appellation. All of these happen to be in the northernmost quintile of the long and narrow stretch that accounts for Saint-Joseph (the wine includes fruit from Limony, Saint-Pierre-de Boeuf, Chavanay, and Félines), and it makes sense when you study the soil maps. The vines average 25 years of age and range from gobelet to cordon de royat training. 8,000 vines per hectare average with 42hl/ha yields. Predominantly south-east facing, these ancient, terraces in the northern villages are exemplary with their particularly pure and acidic mica-schists over weathered granites, rich in iron and magnesium, This composition makes for significant drainage, yet the vines can crack through the friable layers and build deep roots to access water, becoming resilient by the sheer size of their roots’ mass. Thus, these northern communes of the appellation are famed for the most long-lived and signature expressions of Saint-Joseph, exemplifying what makes this appellation taste unique from its Syrah-siblings to the north, south, and west of it. It’s tempting to conclude, with its Eastern orientation and brighter expression, that Saint-Joseph makes the most Burgundian style of Syrah, and in this northernmost stretch we find the very best terroir to achieve that racy, peppery, violet-laced style in its most lifted, ethereal, and high-toned expression. And François’s choice to do 100% whole cluster here only elaborates on this fleet-footed style. The wine ferments 14 days on the skins in open top wood and stainless steel before being racked to French oak barrels for a longer élevage than the Mairlant, resting 18 months. You’ll find this wine gives that fruit character you get when you have freshly picked yet perfectly ripe blackberries and blueberries, especially in this sterling 2022 vintage. Intense and bold while being mint-bright. Drink from 2026. 13.5%. Cellaring potential: 15 years.