B-21 Top Recommendation
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Our new domaine-direct partnership with Northern Rhône reference-point François Villard was unexpected, but when the opportunity came, we jumped on it in a big way. After all, Northern Rhône insiders know these as some of the most classically styled, textbook expressions in the category.
While the domaine's calling card is their remarkable trio of Condrieus, serious Rhône connoisseurs also know they produce some of the smartest bang-for-the-buck buys out there in their line-up of impressive reds. Sourced from parcels on granite and quarz soils, the 2022 St-Joseph Reflet is "exquisite," a quintessential appellation benchmark that can stand toe-to-toe with many more well-known names like Coursodon, Courbis, and yes, even cult darling Pierre Gonon. "Clearly the standout in the line-up," as noted by Jeb Dunnuck's 95-point review, the 2022 is a "gorgeous wine" that shows tremendous character in its "pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel and polished tannins." While we're at it, don't miss a pair of spectacular Crozes-Hermitage winners, especially 95-point Les Malfondieres. Jeb Dunnuck declares it "a 'wow' Crozes-Hermitage that should be snatched up by readers," all the more impressive since we rarely see this wine in the US market.
As mentioned above, the pride and joy of the domaine are their elite Condrieu expressions from some of the appellation's best vineyards. "The 2022 Condrieu Deponcins is rocking stuff," notes Jeb Dunnuck. This steep vineyard on granite and mica schist is classic Condrieu terroir, and Villard's version shows captivating varietal purity along with the structural balance to be laid down for a few years, a quality not typically associated with Viognier and almost always found only in the very best Condrieus. "Full-bodied, powerful and evocative, the 2022 is a generous Deponcins ... This is outstanding." Likewise, the JD96 Villa Pontciana is "brilliant and classic stuff" from a 50-year-old vines on steep granite mica-schist soils. Vinous' Nicolas Greinacher exclaims, "The 2022 Condrieu Villa Pontciana is a stunner ... a standout Condrieu that’s totally worth the chase." We couldn't have put it better ourselves, and we expect nothing less from one of the appellation's leading producers. | 
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