Domaine Pierre Jean Villa Condrieu "Jardin Suspendu" dry white 2020

PRESENTATION OF DOMAINE P-J. VILLA
+ ALL ITS OTHER WINES IN STOCK

Comments on this:

Domaine Pierre Jean Villa, Condrieu "Jardin Suspendu" 2020 dry white wine

RVF Guide to the Best Wines of France 2023 (Sept. 2022): 92/100. "The whites retain finesse. The quality and consistency of the entire production are remarkable."

Comment from the domaine on the 2020 vintage:
2020 More and more early!
The years follow one another and resemble each other. Early ripening and summer heat are phenomena we have observed for 4 years.
Until July 20, the vines were very beautiful and suffered from no water stress. At the beginning of August, the heat, then the heatwave set in. The vine had to draw on its reserves, but the early vintage did not cause it too much suffering.
We began harvesting on August 26. This is the second time since I started this profession that I have harvested in August (the first was in 2003).
Despite this early timing, we observe lower alcohol levels than in recent vintages and a bit more acidity. The plant is gradually adapting to these heatwave conditions. The campaign lasted about 3 weeks under exceptional sanitary conditions. We finished on September 14.
The red wines are of remarkable intensity, the tannins are soft. The juices are very dense but retain a beautiful freshness.
For the whites, the fermentations proceeded normally. The malolactic fermentation was completed at the end of the year, which is quite rare for us. The wines are of great finesse without any sense of heaviness.


Technical sheet written by the domaine:

SUSPENDED GARDEN

After World War II, the terraces overlooking the domaine served as a vegetable garden. New potatoes, peas, and other seasonal vegetables adorned these hillsides. These "suspended gardens" were highly sought after due to their exposure (full South). They allowed for the production of early high-quality vegetables.

THE TERROIR

History: Condrieu was once famous for its boatmen who navigated between the Kingdom and the Empire. In the 15th century, Condrieu wine graced the festivities of the nobility. After the phylloxera crisis of the 1890s, the vineyard was gradually replanted, and Condrieu was granted AOC status in 1940.

Geography: The appellation extends over 7 communes and 3 departments: Rhône, Loire, and Ardèche on the right bank of the Rhône.

Soils: steep granitic hillsides. Shallow sandy and stony soils on dark biotite granites or light muscovite granites.

Climate: moderate continental with hot, dry summers and
regular rainfall in the other seasons.

THE VINE

Grape variety: 100% Viognier.

Age of the vines: approximately 15 years.

Density: 8900 plants/ha

Pruning: guyot on stakes.

THE CELLAR

Vinification: partially destemmed harvest, then sorted on a vibrating table and transported to the tank by a conveyor belt. Maceration for 17 days.

Aging: 24 months in barrels and demi-muids of 500 liters.
Racking and blending 6 weeks before bottling.