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Syrah VdF, François Dumas 2023
Francois Dumas
François Dumas is one of the more discreet names of the Northern Rhône, working from his home village of Véranne, just south of Condrieu. Originally planning to become a sports teacher, his direction changed after a harvest with Yves Cuilleron in 2004. He went on to train with some exceptional growers, including Jean-Louis Chave in Hermitage and Jean-Louis Trapet in Gevrey-Chambertin, before returning home and establishing his own domaine in 2010.Today François works around four hectares, including tiny parcels in Condrieu and Saint-Joseph alongside vineyards planted to Syrah, Gamay, Pinot Noir and a mix of white varieties. Farming has been organic from the beginning, with much of the work carried out personally and by hand. In the cellar, the approach is equally understated: spontaneous fermentations, long macerations, old barrels and very little sulphur, with no new oak used to mark the wines. Production remains tiny, at around 9,000–10,000 bottles a year.
The wines have a distinctive combination of Northern Rhône character and Burgundian finesse — pure fruit, fine textures and remarkable freshness, with the granitic soils bringing tension and minerality. François has deliberately kept the domaine small, producing quietly individual wines that increasingly rank among the most compelling and difficult-to-find bottles of the region.
A beautifully characterful 100% Syrah bringing together François Dumas’ parcels that sit outside the Saint-Joseph appellation, mainly higher-altitude vineyards above 350m on granitic soils. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in stainless steel with around 60–70% whole bunches, followed by roughly two years in older Burgundy barrels.
Dark cherry and blackcurrant meet violet, black olive and white pepper, with subtle smoke and spice underneath. The palate is ripe and gently structured, with velvety tannins, fresh acidity and a distinctive stony mineral character. Deep and savoury yet wonderfully vibrant — a serious Northern Rhône Syrah that offers much of the character of Dumas’ Saint-Joseph in a more immediate form.
Origin Condrieu, Northern Rhône, France
Grapes Syrah
Vintage 2023
Alcohol 13%
Style Spicy, structured, mineral
Bottle size 75cl
Winemaking Hand harvested, mostly whole bunch, fermented in tank with controlled extraction, aged in old Burgundy barrels for 20 months, unfiltred, unfined.
Notes Organic, Natural