E. Guigal - Condrieu 2015 | Monsieur Touton Selection

Tasting notes

The delicately elusive perfume suggests pear, spices and honeysuckle, while on the palate the wines is surprisingly rich and fullbodied, a wine for both the intellect and the senses. A remarkable minerality in this vintage. It may be enjoyed as an aperitif with foie gras, lobster and other rich seafoods, and white asparagus.

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 Cote-Rotie 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.

Vineyard

The tiny, parcelated appellation (500 acres total) is located on steep granite hillsides beginning at a bend in the Rhone river just south of Cote Rotie and continuing intermittently about 12 miles further south. The granite hillsides have sand intermixed in their soils, and the vines for this wine average aroudn 30 years of age, and only produce around 2.4 tons of fruit per acre.

Vinification

1/3 of fermentation took place in new barrels, maturation for 8 months was also 1/3 in new barrels. All the wine was aged in new barrels and underwent malolactic fermentation.

Wine

Condrieu is the original home of the Viognier vine and is the source of one of the world's most exotic white wines. In the mid 20th century this appellation had fallen to no more than 20 acres of Viognier remaining - at the time, the only 20 acres of Viognier in the world. Guigal was instrumental in bringing this appellation back from near extinction, and today supplements the production of their Condrieu vineyards with grapes purchased from numerous small growers, and ends up vinifying around a third of the entire appellation. The delicately elusive perfume suggests pears, spice, and honeysuckle, while on the palate the wine is surprisingly rich and full-bodied, full of fruit but intensely mineral, with a sappy, bone-dry finish. Truly a wine of texture, with a strong umami impression, and a wine for both the intellect and the senses.

France Rhone Valley Condrieu