Reviews
James Suckling 92
Excellent harmony of full body, moderately dry tannins and richness. The red fruits are now beautifully developed and there's just a hint of tar. A grenache-based blend that was matured completely in large oak foudre casks. Drink or hold.
by SP, James Suckling , 2023
Wine Spectator 92
Round and softened by time, this wine's bottle aging has brought out softened tobacco notes that layer over cherry and bitter almond skin. Reveals orange peel acidity and cocoa bean on the palate, with campfire and olive tapenade accents. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah.
by KB, Wine Spectator , 2023
Technical Details
Estate
The firm of E. Guigal, located in Ampuis, was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal. Since 1961 his son Marcel has led the estate, and his unparalleled work ethic and dedication to quality have brought attention to Côte-Rôtie and other appellations throughout the Rhone that were in danger of being lost, and lifted the Guigal wines to the pinnacle of the wine world. Today, Marcel's son Philippe serves as Director and Oenologist, continuing the tradition of leadership in the Rhone Valley and uncompromising excellence.
Tasting notes
Deep dark red in color, this wine offers aromas of spices and mature red fruits. On the palate, it is rich and unctuous with round tannins and notes of mature plums, hazelnuts and red fruits. Full of harmony and balance. Pair with red meat, game and cheese.
Vinification
Guigal's vinification approach enhances the superb raw materials they select by developing the rich, silky texture and complexity of the wine. While they grow and purchase fruit in the Northern Rhone, because they cannot be on site in the Southern Rhone, they purchase wines as soon as possible after harvest, often before malolactic fermentation is even finished. They look for wines of depth, balance and above all the ability to age and become great wines. The wine spends 3 years in large oak cask, followed by extended bottle aging.
Viticulture
Composed of old vine Grenache (70%), Syrah (15%), Mourvèdre (10%), and other traditional grapes (5%), the vines average 50 years of age, and are planted on the unique stony, red clay soils of the area. Yields are low at around 1.8 tons per acre.
Wine
Guigal produces an intensely concentrated, inviting and complex Chateauneuf-duPape that is almost unique to the region today. Their passion for Chateauneuf, the leading appellation of the Southern Rhone, runs as deeply as that for their home sites in the Northern Rhone. The combination
of working with top fruit that has perfect ripeness, along with their extraordinary patience in the cellar, results in rich and full, yet seamless and balanced wines. The Guigals more specifically age their wine far longer than almost anyone in the appellation, allowing it to develop complexity of flavor and texture, and making for an outstanding drinking experience on release. Signature notes of deep and pure red fruits, spices
reminiscent of the flowers and herbs of the area, all wrapped in a full, lush body, make Guigal's Chateauneuf gorgeous and irresistible.