Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Best 5 to 15 years from vintage.

vintage5 yrs15 yrs17 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Spiced And Mineral finish

What it pairs with

  • Lamb shoulder with romesco sauce The wine's concentration and pepper spice mirror the complexity of romesco with lamb.More wines for lamb →
  • Mushroom risotto with truffle The wine's mineral and spice notes bridge to earthy mushroom and truffle.More wines for risotto →
  • Duck confit with cherry relish Rich duck confit is elevated by the wine's dark fruit and mineral character.More wines for duck and goose →

With cheese

Saint-Marcellin Our pick Saint-Joseph rouge is northern Rhône Syrah with bright acidity and light to firm tannin. The acidity cuts the cream of a Saint-Marcellin; choose a riper, older cheese for the firmer bottles, as its mushroom notes and denser paste stand up to the tannin.

How to serve Saint-Joseph Le Grand Pompee

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Lamb shoulder with romesco sauce, Mushroom risotto with truffle, Duck confit with cherry relish. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Le Grand Pompee is Villard's prestige Saint-Joseph rouge, from old Syrah vines in the granitic heart of the appellation. The name references the grand Pompee Roman amphitheater imagery of the Rhone Valley.

  1. 1995First vintage of Le Grand Pompee as Villard's flagship Saint-Joseph rouge

Facts

Producer
Domaine Francois Villard · visiting guide
Grapes
Syrah (100%)
Classification
Saint-Joseph AOC
Oak
14 months in new and used French oak barriques
ABV
13.5%
Price
EUR 25-45 at retail
Drinking window
5-15 from vintage
First vintage
1995
Organic
ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Saint-Joseph Le Grand Pompee

What does Saint-Joseph Le Grand Pompee taste like?

Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, spiced and mineral finish.

When should I drink Saint-Joseph Le Grand Pompee?

Drink 5-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Saint-Joseph Le Grand Pompee?

Lamb shoulder with romesco sauce is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Mushroom risotto with truffle and Duck confit with cherry relish. The wine's concentration and pepper spice mirror the complexity of romesco with lamb.

What grapes are in Saint-Joseph Le Grand Pompee?

The blend is Syrah (100%). The wine is classified as Saint-Joseph AOC.

Tags

dry firm tannin full body high acid medium term mood bold mood rustic occasion cellar occasion dinner party old vines old world organic pairs with game pairs with mushroom pairs with red meat price trade up still red syrah

Taste it where it is made: tastings near Domaine Francois Villard

Romans and Wine

Guided tour5 hours4.8 from 9 reviewsfrom €105

Discover two of the best preserved Roman monuments in the world: The Roman Theatre of Orange and the Aqueduct of the Pont du Gard (UNESCO Sites) and enjoy a wine tasti...

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