Viognier “Contours de Deponcins”

Villard, Francois
France
Rhône
2023

A young-vine Viognier from two villages known for Condrieu, Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône and Verin. The vines here are planted right in the same slope that is otherwise classified as Condrieu; it just happens that the land didn’t have vines planted when the appellation was made. The soil is sandy granite and mica. Fermented and aged in used barrels for ten months without racking. 

93 points
"The 2023 Condrieu Deponcins reveals its opening flourish of pronounced lychee, ripe apricot and peach aromatics, accompanied by honeysuckle and a slice of pear. Richly weighted, round and concentrated, the 2023 is a flawlessly balanced Condrieu from the talented François Villard, packing rich substance and varietal expression without feeling heavy."
Nicolas Greinacher,
Vinous
January 2026
92 points
"2023 Viognier “Contours de Deponcins”- Domaine François Villard The Viognier “Contours de Deponcins” from François Villard is made from his younger vines in his vineyards in Condrieu. The 2023 bottling was barrel-fermented and raised in older oak casks. It offers up a beautifully expressive nose of pear, casaba melon, papaya, stony soil tones and a potpourri of gently musky flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, fullbodied and nicely light on its feet for viognier, with a lovely core of fruit, fine soil transparency, zesty acids and impressive precision on the long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. I like this more than many examples of Condrieu that I cross paths with, as it is less ponderous in profile. Fine juice"
John Gilman ,
VFTC
#119

SKU/Code: 
DB3116-23
Product Line: 
National Portfolio
Wine
White
Varietal: 
Viognier
Farming Type: 
Sustainable