2016 Francois Villard Cote Rotie ‘Le Gallet Blanc’ | Wine Library

Francois Villard Le Gallet Blanc found the inspiration for the wine and its name from 2 growers that Francois Villard purchases grapes from, Mr. Gallet and Mr. Blanc. The wine is produced from mostly Syrah and just a dollop of Viognier, up to perhaps 1% or 2% of the blend. The grapes are planted in the lieux-dits of; Cote Bodin, Le Grand Taillis, Fontjean, le Plomb, Montlys and Servonniere on a steep granite and schist hillside terroir. The berries are whole cluster fermented and up to 30% of the grapes are destemmed. The wine is then aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels for up to 18 months before bottling. The production is sizable for Cote Rotie at close to 1,625 cases per vintage.