Domaine Pierre Jean Villa Saint Joseph "Preface" red 2022

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

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Domaine Pierre Jean Villa Saint Joseph "Préface" red 2022

RVF Guide to the Best Wines of France 2025 (August 2024): 92/100.

Technical sheet written by the domaine


PREFACE

Préface comes from the Latin prae: "before" and fari: "to speak". The first cuvée of the domaine, it prepares for those that will follow and invites you to discover them.

THE TERROIR

History: Charlemagne particularly appreciated the wines from these slopes, known as "Vins des Mauves," named after the village located at the center of the appellation. In the 17th century, the Jesuits of Tournon named them Saint-Joseph in homage to the husband of the Virgin Mary.

Geography: The appellation covers 1160 hectares over 60 kilometers in length. On the right bank of the Rhône, it starts in the north with Chavanay and ends west of Valence. It spans 26 communes, including 23 in Ardèche and 3 in Loire. Between 1959 and 1969, the vineyards in this part of the Rhône were grouped under the same appellation Saint-Joseph.

Soils: light, composed of schist and gneiss on a granite base.

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

THE VINE

Grape variety: 100% Syrah.

Age of the vines: approximately 40 years.

Density: from 5500 to 9000 plants/ha.

Pruning: Royat cordon on wires.

THE CELLAR

Vinification: destemmed harvest then sorted on a vibrating table and transported to the tank by a conveyor belt. Maceration for 20 days.

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