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E. GUIGAL
Domaine E. Guigal is one of France’s iconic wine producers with one of the world’s most sought after and collectible line-ups of wines. In 1946, the Guigal estate was founded by Etienne Guigal in Ampuis – the heart of the Côte Rôtie – in one of the greatest Syrah terroirs. With a winemaking history dating back more than 2,400 years, these slopes offered equal measures of extreme winemaking and farming challenges, juxtaposed against the gift of deep, dark, complex and age-worthy nectars born from these impossibly steep “roasted slopes”. Through the acquisition of several neighbouring properties, the Guigal range today includes wines grown across the most celebrated villages of both the northern and southern Rhône Valley, including Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Condrieu, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Tavel.
Wines produced under the Guigal label are all vinified at the historic Château d’Ampuis, an ancient “fotress” originally built in the 12th century and later expanded and renovated in the 16th century. Today, the Guigal family takes immense joy in building on the family legacy of sharing the emotions and expressions of the great wines coaxed from these rich, privileged terroirs. From the humble and delicious Côtes du Rhône, through the rare, single-vineyard Côte Rôtie bottlings, the entire range reflects the Guigal family’s tremendous pride in and dedication to showcasing the viticultural potential of this ancient winemaking region.
Jeb Dunnuck of The Wine Advocate on:
2013 CHÂTEAU d’AMPUIS CÔTE-RÔTIE
“As always, my visit with Marcel and Philippe Guigal is one of the highlights of my entire time spent working in the northern Rhône. As I think the list of wines demonstrate, this is a huge lineup, yet the theme across the entire range is incredible quality. Looking at the top Côte Rôties, the current releases in bottle are the 2012s and these are rich, supple, sexy, even flamboyant wines that will be relatively approachable in their youth, yet have broad drink windows. The 2013s are much more backward and restrained, and built for the long haul, but the long élevage favored at this estate is certainly helping to soften the tannin and give the wines a suppler texture. As to the 2014s, I was shocked at the depth and density this team was able to get in these wines, but this is another vintage that will be approachable in its youth. Lastly, and from vintage described by Marcel as the best of his lifetime (how’s that for perspective?), the 2015s are inky and primordial, with mind-boggling depth and density. These will be reviewed two to three more times before release, but start saving today! Lastly, it’s also worth pointing out that the estate has started utilizing a new cork technique that guarantees no TCA. This doesn’t come cheap and is close to two Euros per cork, but it’s just another example of the attention to detail and the level of effort that this estate puts forth to ensure the quality in the bottle. Hats off to them.”
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EXPERT OPINION
“Tasted as a final blend and scheduled to be bottled just after my visit, the 2013 Côte Rôtie Château d’Ampuis is a smokin’ good wine in the vintage. Deep, concentrated and structured, with classic and masculine notes of graphite, smoked black fruits and crushed rocks, this full-bodied beauty has bright acidity, ripe tannin and beautiful length. It needs 7-8 years of cellaring to hit maturity and will have two to three decades of overall longevity.”
–J.D., Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
94+ / 100 Points
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ACCOLADES & PRESS
95 Points, Wine Spectator: “Solidly built, with a compact core of steeped currant and plum fruit flavors liberally laced with singed alder, leather and tar notes. Keeps a taut edge through the finish, as this is youthfully tight, with good, buried guts. Should unwind beautifully in the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035. 160 cases imported.” –J.M. | Sept. 30, 2017
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast: “There’s a flinty crushed-mineral intensity that penetrates through smoke and game in this aromatic, complex wine. The palate is concentrated with flavors of strawberry leather and blueberry but lifted and airy, kissed by violet and lavender florals. Velvety and supple in tannins, it finishes long, with earthen hints of mushroom and leather. It’s a wine that’s approachable already but should improve through 2028 and hold further.” –C.Z. | May 1, 2018
94 Points, James Suckling: “Flinty and smoky elements, with coal smoke, praline and boot polish, as well as red and dark plums. Impressively complex and detailed. The palate has assertive, deeply ripe and fluid tannins that drive long and carry dark plum fruits. Warming mocha to close. Drink now and beyond.” Sept. 7, 2017
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Producer: E. Guigal
Wine: Château d’Ampuis Côte Rôtie
Origin: Northern Rhône, France
Vintage: 2013
LCBO #: 398081
Price: $157.00
