Francois Villard Condrieu DePoncins 2014

With impressive intensity, Deponcins has a touch of botrytis in 2014 dictating tropical fruit flavours and a juicy richness. What sets this apart is the clearly defined mineral streak running through it, creating a wine of absolute class.

Domaine Franois Villard is a well-regarded French wine producer located in the northern Rhne. The estate’s first vines were planted in Condrieu in 1989, and today the domaine produces almost 30 different red and white wines from Rhne appellations including Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Peray and Cornas. However, it is best known for its Viognier wines from Condrieu and its Syrahs from Cte-Rtie.

The estate boasts several parcels of vines in Condrieu, and a few hectares in Saint-Joseph and Cte Rtie. Syrah and Viognier dominate the domaine’s vineyard holdings, but Franois Villard also sources fruit to produce wines from Merlot, Marsanne and Roussanne.