2022 Francois Villard 'L'Appel des Sereines' Syrah

Place: Rhone Valley, France

Variety: Syrah

Farming: Organic

François began his career as a chef before detouring into winemaking in 1991—a release of a mere 400 bottles of Condrieu. Now he makes wine from 64ha, of which he owns forty, purchasing fruit from the balance.

This entry-level Syrah deserves a regular feature in every winter cellar. Pure, deep, savoury, moreish—it genuinely possesses everything one could want from Syrah and it does it with a light price-tag, especially considering the meticulous farming.