E. Guigal - Ex-Voto - White 2013 | Monsieur Touton Selection

Wine

Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal's to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the Vallouit and J.L. Grippat domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal's already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings. When it is not, the appellation bottlings become the secret steals of the Northern Rhone, as they contain up to 1/3 of Ex-Voto fruit.

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 unparallel 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.

Vineryard

The White comes from two parcels, les Murets (90%), a parcel with alluvial and rocky topoils, and L'Hermitage (10%), with a loess and sandy limestone topsoil. Moreover there is one group of vines that average 50 years of age, and one that average 90 years of age. These two parcels are in combination planted with 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne.

Vinification

The wine is vinified in and spends 30 months in new oak casks produced by the Guigals at Chateau d'Ampuis. It goes fully through both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel, and is bottled without fining or filtration.

France Rhone Valley Hermitage