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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.
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2015 CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROUGE
Beginning with the Ancient Greeks, who populated the Rhône river valley many centuries before the time of Christ, vineyards planted along the slopes of Rhône River valley have been nurtured into the vibrant, spicy wines we know and love today. The southern Rhône Valley is the heartland of the Syrah and Grenache grapes; one of the warmest wine regions in France, producing vinous treasures delivering structure, spiciness, and abundant lush red fruit. The E. Guigal Estate was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in Côte Rôtie, and has evolved over the past half century to become of the great wine estates of France and an iconic brand recognized throughout the world. The 2015 edition of this Côtes du Rhône Red features 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10%–just a kiss–of Mourvèdre.
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WITH FOOD
Côtes du Rhône is one of the great food wines of the world – offering complexity, balance and versatility making it a stellar go-to pick all summer long. You can pair this wine with your favourite grilled red meats like beef or lamb, or serve it with lighter fare like tomato dressed pasta dishes or with pizzas featuring big bold flavours like blue cheese, grilled peppers and cured meats.
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RECIPE IDEAS
Martha Stewart’s Classic Steak Frites
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EXPERT OPINION
“A fine intro to the wines of France’s revered Rhône region. A classic blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes, with flavours of plum, black raspberry and woodsmoke. A robust red to serve with beef stew, gourmet burgers or grilled tamari steaks.” –LCBO Vintages Tasting Panel
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ACCOLADES & PRESS
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90 / 100 Points: “Ripe but restrained, fruity yet elegant, this richly concentrated red offers luscious black cherry and berry flavors nuanced by hints of earth, smoke and spice. The palate is rich and fleshy but anchored by taut acidity and a finely edged backbone of tannins.” –Anna L. C. Iijima, WineEnthusiast.com, January 2018
16.5 / 20 Points: “It’s the Holy Trinity of wine: crowd-pleasing, widely available and superb value.” –Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, January 2018
89-91 / 100 Points: “The 2015 Cotes du Rhone marks a terrific return to form for this cuvée. It’s intense and peppery, with concentrated black cherry fruit, a medium to full-bodied palate and a long finish.” –J. Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, #234, December 2017
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Producer: E. Guigal
Wine: Côtes du Rhône Rouge
Origin: Southern Rhône, France
Vintage: 2015
LCBO #: 259721
Price: $20.95
