Terroir
First historical vintage of the estate, Préface opens up Pierre-Jean Villa's universe with a pure, straight and immediately readable Syrah. Coming from vines aged 30 to 90 years, it takes root on the hillsides of Saint-Joseph, on the right bank of the Rhône, on light soils of schists and gneiss laid on a granitic bedrock. The south/south-east exposure promotes just ripeness, while the moderate continental climate preserves the freshness and balance of the grapes. This cuvée expresses a precise, vibrant and accessible Saint-Joseph, carried by the energy of granite and the spicy finesse of Syrah. Préface lives up to its name: an elegant introduction, which announces the style of the estate with candor, tension, and depth.
Harvest
Preface is made from Syrah grapes harvested by hand on the granite slopes of Saint-Joseph. The old vines, deeply rooted, bring concentration, natural freshness, and aromatic complexity.
Winemaking
The winemaking process favors a gentle extraction in order to preserve the brightness of the fruit and the tannic finesse specific to the terroir. The aging process, conducted with precision, combines tanks and barrels from several wines to bring depth without overshadowing the wine with wood. Pierre-Jean Villa seeks here a sincere and digestible expression of the Rhône Syrah: a red wine that is both crunchy, spicy, and structured, carried by a beautiful mineral tension and great drinkability.
Varietal
Syrah : 100%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 13 % vol.
Serving
To be served between 15 and 17°C in a glass large enough to reveal all the aromatic complexity of Syrah and the finesse of the spices. A slight aeration before tasting allows Préface to gain in precision and depth, while highlighting its crunchy fruit, mineral freshness, and the delicacy of its tannins. This Saint-Joseph can be enjoyed in its youth for its immediate brightness, but will also gain in complexity after a few years of aging.
Tasting
The nose reveals an expressive and refined Syrah, marked by crunchy black fruits, fresh blackberry, and black cherry, lifted by notes of pepper, violet, and a slightly smoky touch. The palate seduces with its balance between indulgence and tension. The attack is soft and juicy, carried by a fluid texture with fine and perfectly integrated tannins. The fruit gradually gains depth, supported by a spicy framework and a mineral freshness characteristic of the great granitic terroirs of Saint-Joseph. The long and vibrant finish extends the notes of black fruits and spices with a lot of elegance and precision.
Food pairings
With its spicy profile, granitic freshness, and delicate tannins, Préface perfectly pairs with a generous yet precise cuisine. It naturally complements a grilled veal chop, a roasted filet mignon with herbs, or a slightly peppery duck parmentier. Its crunchy and peppery dimension also works very well with sharing cuisines such as Mediterranean tapas, marinated lamb skewers, or a characterful burger with caramelized onions. At the table, this Saint-Joseph also reveals a beautiful harmony with vegetarian dishes with smoky flavors, such as a mushroom risotto or grilled vegetables with thyme and rosemary.