The domaine du Monteillet has belonged to the Villard family for no less than 5 centuries and nine generations! The family’s most well-known member is Louis Hector, duke of Villard and Louis XIV’s Marshall of France (1653-1734). Stéphane Montez has been running the property since 1997, having travelled the world to work in all sorts of different vineyards. His experience in the four corners of the world allowed him to develop new techniques in the family property and to respond to potential climatic difficulties. The vineyard is spread over 14 hectares and three appellations (Côte Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Condrieu).

Fortis owes its name to the motto of the domain's owner: "Fortis fortuna fortior" (luck enhances valour). This wine is made from Syrah grapes combined with a small portion of Viognier. The fast-growing vines thrive in the arid, barren, rocky granite soils of the gneiss terres blondes region south of Ampuis. During vinification, Stéphane Montez performs complete desteming without yeasting, one week of cold maceration, daily punch-downs and pump-overs for a month, a long, gentle fermentation, low-pressure pneumatic pressing so as not to burst the grape seeds, and finally, 21 months of maturation in new French oak demi-muid barrels. This wine for keeping (for up to 20 years) develops intensely fruity notes accompanied by vanilla and roasted notes. The palate is surprising for its refinement, mellow and coated tannins, and especially for its long, silky finish. The perfect pairing? A duckling fillet with mushrooms!