# Crozes-Hermitage Les Malfondières (2022)

- **Producer:** Domaine François Villard
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, blackcurrant, cherry, plum, violet, black pepper, white pepper, liquorice, smoke

## About this wine

Domaine François Villard was established in 1989 by François Villard, a former chef and sommelier who transitioned to viticulture. Located in the Northern Rhône Valley, the domain produces wines that express their distinct micro-terroirs. The single-vineyard bottling Les Malfondières comes from 45-year-old Syrah vines planted in the lieu-dit of Mercurol, where clay, sand, gravel, and rolled pebbles store daytime heat and promote phenolic maturity. Certified organic in 2022, this cuvée reflects a commitment to hand-farming and authentic terroir expression.

## Interesting facts

- Founder François Villard worked as a professional chef and sommelier before retraining in viticulture in 1989.
- The vineyard features rolled pebbles (galets roulés) that absorb heat during the day and radiate it back to the vines at night.
- Fermented with 100% whole bunches in open wooden vats to enhance freshness and structural complexity.

## Food pairing

The pronounced intensity, refined tannins, and fresh acidity of Northern Rhône Syrah call for savory, protein-rich meats like lamb, duck, or game. The natural fat in these dishes softens the wine's tannins while accentuating its dark fruit and spice notes.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Les Malfondières emphasizes minimal intervention to preserve grape identity. Harvested entirely by hand at optimal maturity, the grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts using whole bunches for 11 days in open wooden fermentation vats. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 18 months in neutral French oak barrels that have previously held three to five wines, refining the structure without imparting heavy wood flavours.