Francois Villard Marsanne/Roussanne 'Contours de Mairlant'

Francois Villard was not born into wine; he started out his career as a chef. He grew up between Vienne and Grenoble, in the French countryside. He made his first Condrieu in 1991, a whopping 400 bottles. Today, makes wine from 64 hectares, of which he owns 40 hectares, purchasing fruit from the balance. He makes wine from Côte-Rôtie down to Saint Peray, and a little of everything between: four Condrieu, five Saint-Joseph (red and white), three Crozes-Hermitage, a Cornas, and four Vin de France (Marsanne-Roussanne, Viognier, and two Syrah).

85% Marsanne and 15% Roussanne grown in granite soils from two villages within the Condrieu appellation, this one is fermented and aged in three- to five-year-old barrels for eleven months on lees, without racking. Deep straw in color, this one is rich yet lively with ripe notes of pineapple, peach, apple, almond, and honeysuckle. If you like Viognier, give this a try!