Francois Villard Côte-Rôtie Le Gallet Blanc 2021

A classic nose that’s perfumed with herbal juniper nuances. The tannins are quite grainy and fibrous for now, but not green – though the wine feels quite austere, with a fairly long finish. He has less than 1ha, so this is mostly bought grapes, mostly from Saint Cyr. 85% whole bunch. Aged in barriques, 20% new oak, for 16 months. Drinking window: 2025-2032. Score – 92. (Matt Walls, decanter.com, Sept. 30, 2022)