E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Red 2011

Harvest at Guigal Vineyards

E. GUIGAL The Guigal Estate was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in Ampuis, a small ancient village and cradle of the Côte-Rôtie appellation. It shelters a unique vineyard where the vines and the wines have been famous for 2,400 years. Arriving in 1924 at 14 years old, the founder vinified 67 harvests in Côte-Rôtie and, at the beginning of his career, took part in the development of Vidal-Fleury establishment. Since 1946, hard work and perseverence have born fruit and certain events attest to this. In 1995 the estate acquired the famous Château d'Ampuis, an important historic and oenological monument whose long history is directly linked to the Côte-Rôtie appellation. An ancient fort built in the 12th century, it was transformed into a Renaissance château in the 16th century. The château is situated amongst the vines and bordered by the king of rivers: the Rhône. The GUIGAL Estate vinifies and ages the wines of the Southern Rhône appellations in its cellars in Ampuis, not very far from the first few square meters of the small cellar where Etienne Guigal first labored.  The history and the soul of the Guigal family are clearly present in these cellars which discretely house the most exceptional wines.

GUIGAL COTES DU RHONE RED 2011 The value-priced 2011 Cotes du Rhone (49% Syrah, 46% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre aged 24 months in foudre) over-delivers and exhibits textbook black cherry, smoked earth, olive, underbrush and licorice, as well as a clean, balanced, medium to full-bodied profile on the palate. Rock solid in the vintage and surpassing any number of more expensive releases, it should be consumed over the coming 4-5 years.   eRobertParker.com #210 Rating: 88 The Gotham Wine Team