Condrieu - Viognier - Les Terrasses du Palat - Francois Villard - Northern Rhone

Francois Villard is a passionate young winemaker and former chef who began planting vines in 1989. It is his Condrieu for which he is most revered: focussed, pure and complex. A man of extremes, he allows a small amount of his Viognier, as well as Marsanne for his St.-Joseph, to develop botrytis - the fungus known as noble rot made famous in Sauternes production. This method, less common for dry wines, may be why he’s been called one Condrieu’s Young Turks, and why his wines are so in demand.

This comes from a blend of fruit from Chavany - which gives the wine a fruity profile, and fruit from Vérin - which adds minerality and tension. It has a wonderful pineapple and honey nose. The palate has Viognier’s ripe richness, but remains delicate nevertheless, offering finesse on the long, fragrant finish.