Pierre Jean Villa 2022 Vin de France Syrah

Pierre‑Jean Villa’s 2022 Vin de France Syrah captures the essence of Northern Rhône Syrah with clarity and finesse. It blends vibrant black fruit, savory spice, and elegant minerality into a clean, food-centric expression rooted in organic viticulture and thoughtful aging. A superb gateway into the wider Villa family’s Rhône range.

🍇 Origins & Context

• Produced by esteemed Rhône grower Pierre‑Jean Villa, working organically and with minimal intervention in Chavanay, Northern Rhône 

• This Vin de France Syrah (also labeled “Gamine” or part of Hugo & Pauline’s project) comes from the same granite-gneiss soils as some of the domaine's serious appellations, but typically sourced from young vines 

🍷 Winemaking & Vintage

• 100% Syrah, harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in steel and concrete, then aged in mostly older large oak vessels (demi-muids and foudres) for around 12 months 

• The 2022 vintage reflects his ongoing organic conversion and low-intervention philosophy 

👃 Aromatics

• Bright and savory profile: expect blackberry, black pepper, and earthy nuances.

• Echoes of dark plum and subtle floral spice—typical of cooler-site Syrah

👅 Palate & Structure

• Medium-bodied with energetic acidity and fine-grained tannins.

• Flavors of ripe black fruit, teak, licorice, and pepper, with herby, savoury layers lending depth .

🍂 Finish

• Dry and lingering, marked by peppery spice, black fruit, and a mineral-tinged vibrance.

🎯 Style & Pairing

• A stylish, food-friendly Syrah: balanced, not overly rich, showcasing clarity rather than heavy extraction—great for fans of polished Northern Rhône red.

• Pair it with roast duck, grilled lamb, or mushroom risotto for an ideal match.

This comes from two parcels of old sélection massale vines formerly classed as AOC St Joseph but reclassified as Vin de France in 2018 under the rules restricting the total surface of the appellation. In addition, it comes from young vines in Villa's other parcels. The wine is aged entirely in large oak uprights. Production averages 2,400 bottles.