92pts Jeb Dunnuck

The Cotes Du Rhone is smoking good, offering up blackberries, pepper, and garrigue in a round, supple, medium to full-bodied style. Based on 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, partially aged in oak foudres, this impressive effort shows remarkable quality for the appellation.

90pts Decanter

Modern, lifted and a bit heady, but attractive and evocative. Black cherry inkiness segues into a dense palate where all the fruit is crammed into a structured body with drying tannins. Herbs and stones hemmed in by a firm grip. A good all rounder.

Winemaker's Notes

Deep and dark red. Shiny. Fresh fruits with red berries and spices on the nose. Full, round and racy. Rounded and smooth tannins. A full-bodied, rich and intensely aromatic wine. Full with a long finish and plenty of elegance and finesse due to the well balanced tannins and fruit.

Pair with cold meats, meat, game bird and cheese.

Blend: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre.

Winery Notes

The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the ancient village of Ampuis, home of the wines of the Côte-Rôtie. In these vineyards that are over 2400 years old, you can still see the small terraced walls characteristic of the Roman period. Etienne Guigal arrived in this region in 1923 at the age of 14. He made wine for over 67 vintages and, at the beginning of his career, participated in the development of the Vidal-Fleury establishment.

In the cellars of the Guigal estate in Ampuis, the northern appellations of the Rhône Valley are produced and aged. These are the appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage. The great appellations of the Southern Rhône, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and Côtes-du-Rhône, are also aged in the Ampuis cellars.