E. Guigal - St. Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice - Red 2014

Wine

Grown on the vineyard directly across from Hermitage and planted on the same rock formation, dramatically perched above the town of Tournon, the Vignes de l’Hospice makes perhaps the most persuasive argument as to why Saint-Joseph at one time was considered superior even to Hermitage. It shares with the best Hermitage a powerful intensity, yet the elegance of Saint-Joseph is beautifully apparent in how the wine draws out and finishes.

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.

Vineyard

This steeply terraced vineyard was in the recent past divided into three, which Guigal now owns through the purchase of the De Vallouit and Grippat domaines, and the sale by the local hospice of their vineyard to Guigal. It was Guigal’s work in preserving the walls of the vineyard, a never-ending and costly labor of love, that in fact led the hospice to ask Guigal to take over their vineyard and carry on the history and tradition.

Vinification

Guigal vinifies this 100% Syrah wine in the same fashion as their Côte Rôties crus and Ermitage Ex-Voto. After fermentation, it is aged for 30 months in 100% new barrels, clarified by racking only, and bottled unfiltered. Guigal is often asked when they will produce a fourth “LaLa”, and their response is that their fourth single vineyard phenomenon of the Northern Rhone is already being produced: the Vignes de l'Hospice.

France Rhone Valley Saint-Joseph