Domaine François Villard

A relatively recent addition to Villard’s holdings, it is exciting to see what this most brooding of appellations tastes like in his hands, where his style is as generous as it is elegant. Though the cuvée name is that of the lieu-dit where the vineyard sits, it nevertheless suggests he is here to play with expectations—‘Jouvet’ meaning Toy—and perhaps bring his rambunctious, joyful style to the wine in this warm, dry vintage. I think he does! The tannins are surprisingly soft and the while the bold, bloody, savoury flavours beloved of Cornas are there in spades, there’s a roundness to the wine that is plush with dark fruit. Concerning the vineyard: southeast facing, vines averaging 15 years of age. Shallow, acidic sandy-gravel soils derived from granite and saprolite of the primary (ancient) bedrock. 8,000 vines/ha, gobelet and cordon de royat trained. 42hl/ha yield. Fermentation is 100% whole cluster. 14 days in open top oak fermenters followed by 18 months in old oak. Only 13%. Only 2,700 bottles made.