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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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2016 CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC
A well-balanced wine that shows both elegance and strength, the 2016 edition of this Côtes du Rhône White features 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, and just a whisper (2%) of Grenache Blanc. Aged in stainless steel. Drink now or within three years of vintage.
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WITH FOOD
Côtes du Rhône Blanc, much like its Rouge cousin, is one of the great food wines of the world, making it a stellar go-to pick all summer long. You can pair this wine with your favourite starters, most fish and lighter chicken dishes, and it’s a perfect match with Asian cuisine. Ideally poured at 10°C.
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RECIPE IDEAS
Sautéed Chicken with Celery-Root Puree and Chestnuts
One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Asian-Style Halibut in Parchment
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EXPERT OPINION
“The normal blend of Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone Blanc tastes like a mini-Condrieu with its white peach, apricot, spice and citrus aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied, elegant, yet textured beauty over-delivers and will keep for 2-3 years.” –Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
90 / 100 Points
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ACCOLADES & PRESS
89 / 100 Points: “The 2016 Cotes du Rhone Blanc is, as usual, dominated by Viognier, which accounts for almost two-thirds of the blend. There’s 15% Roussanne, and the rest is smaller proportions of Marsanne, Clairette and Bourboulenc. Grenache Blanc accounts for only 2% to 3% of the blend. The wine is medium-bodied and plump, with floral, apricot aromas and decent roundness in the mouth, balanced by just enough citrus zest to provide a bit of an edge. Drink it in its youth.”
–J. Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, #234, December 2017
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Producer: E. Guigal
Wine: Côtes du Rhône Blanc
Origin: Rhône Valley, France
Vintage: 2016
LCBO #: 290296
Price: $19.95
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