François Villard, Marsanne-Roussanne, Les Contours de Mairlant, Northern Rhône, France, 2022

Producer Profile

François’ empire keeps growing, but he still keeps a tight reign on the operations, whilst being open to sharing his knowledge and passion for his region.

The recently expanded winery perched above Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, once modest in size, is now brimming with vats and barrels—yet the exceptional quality remains unwavering. François Villard’s distinguished estate, founded in 1989 by the former chef turned winemaker, has grown to encompass over 40 hectares of vineyards, alongside an additional 25 hectares sourced from trusted growers. Producing around 450,000 bottles annually, the domaine offers a diverse portfolio of 23 cuvées from some of the northern Rhône Valley’s most celebrated appellations, including Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, and Saint-Péray. These wines regularly grace the tables of top restaurants worldwide, a testament to their enduring excellence.

Viticulture

The plot of vines is at Chavanay / Saint Pierre de Bœuf, on a granite soil that is exposed to the South. The vines average 20 years in age and are planted at a density of 8000 vines a hectare and pruned single guyot.

Winemaking

After a direct pressing, the fermentation is controlled at a low temperature in barrels with native yeasts. The is 10 months of ageing on the fine lees in oak barrels.

Tasting Note

The cuvée "Les Contours de Mairlant" opens with vibrant, fruity aromas complemented by a delicate mineral freshness and subtle toasted nuances. On the palate, it strikes a harmonious balance between rich, full-bodied texture and lively tension, creating an inviting and refined experience. This vintage offers pure pleasure, showcasing elegance and depth in every sip.

Food Matching

Grilled seafood like scallops or lobster, creamy risottos, or roasted poultry with herb butter. Its mineral lift and subtle toast also complement soft cheeses.