Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck 94
Darker berries, raspberries, peppery garrigue, and licorice all emerge from Guigal's 2019 Chateauneuf Du Pape, a medium to full-bodied, round, concentrated 2019 that has the vintage's expressive, classic style front and center. I love it today, yet it has the balance as well as structure to evolve for 10-15 years. It's up with the finest vintages of this cuvee I've ever tasted.
by JD, Jeb Dunnuck , 2024
James Suckling 94
Spicy and meaty with a very solid tannic base, this a serious Chateauneuf that has plenty of black fruit appeal, but also the muscular structure for long aging. Firm and focused finish with lots of energy and drive for this vintage. Drink or hold.
by SP, James Suckling , 2024
Vinous Media 92
The flamboyant 2019 Chateauneuf-du-Pape packs elevated flavor concentration yet neatly maintains balancing freshness. Swirling the glass unlocks ripe black cherry, melted licorice, raspberry jam and cedar traces. Wait at least one more year before pulling the cork of this bold Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
by NG, Vinous Media , 2024
Wine Spectator 92
A late-release Chateauneuf, with aromatic beauty. Shows lovely signs of evolution, with woodsy, dried leaf and earth notes. Dried currant and red fruit flavors are layered with singed garrigue and perfumed violet details. Sweet sandalwood and bay leaf chime in on the finish, in the grip of slightly drying tannins. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah.
by KB, Wine Spectator , 2024
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.
