E. Guigal - Condrieu 2023

Marcel and Philippe Guigal jointly run the successful family business, which since 2017 has expanded significantly in the south to Châteauneuf-du-Pape (77 hectares of owned vineyards), supplemented in the spring of 2022 by the 100 hectares of Château d’Aquéria. And they still maintain their extensive portfolio of vineyards in Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, and Hermitage. Wine enthusiasts can savor some of the valley’s greatest vintages, not to mention the brilliant Côtes-du-Rhône—in all three colors—and Tavel, Philippe’s favorite wine.

Quite subtle in terms of fruitiness and definitely full-bodied, without being heavy, with a pleasantly dry finish. This is a very classic wine, with fairly low acidity and well-integrated oak that doesn’t overpower. Best enjoyed young. Aged for 10 months, 70% in stainless steel tanks and 30% in new oak barrels.

In addition to its “treasures” in Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Condrieu, the Guigal estate owns two beautiful plots in Saint-Joseph: the “Saint-Joseph” vineyard, which gave its name to the appellation, and the Vignes de l’Hospice, planted on a very steep granite hillside—a site first identified by the monks of the Hospice de Tournon and featuring a geological formation similar to that of the famous Bessards hill in Hermitage.

An iconic figure of the northern Rhône, Marcel Guigal is both a major wine merchant and a prominent winegrower. In the latter capacity, he cultivates famous vineyards in Côte Rôtie, such as La Mouline, La Turque, and La Landonne, not to mention La Doriane in Condrieu. A tireless worker with an insatiable intellectual curiosity, he succeeded his father, Etienne. Philippe Guigal, an oenologist representing the third generation, continues the family legacy alongside his father, maintaining this dual focus on estate winemaking and wine trading. Winemaking for the northern appellations takes place entirely in Ampuis.

Aged in 20% to 25% new oak barrels, the 2023 Condrieu is elegant and lively, offering aromas of honeysuckle, white fruits, and apricot, with a barely perceptible hint of oak. Medium- to full-bodied, round, and lively, it is enveloping, with a harmonious fruity core and a long, delicate finish. It is a perfect expression of this grape variety’s characteristic profile.

 

The most iconic winery in the northern Rhône Valley needs no introduction. Under this umbrella, we bring together the wines from our own vineyards, which we thus distinguish from our wine merchant operations. This includes the famous Côte-Rôtie trio: La Mouline, La Turque, and La Landonne; the first two are brand names, while the last is a registered terroir. Added to these are the Château d’Ampuis cuvée and the Condrieu La Doriane. In addition to these star wines, there is the Vignes de l’Hospice cuvée—a Saint-Joseph situated on a magnificent terroir—as well as several exceptional plots in Hermitage from which the Ex-Voto cuvée is produced. Marcel Guigal is strongly supported by his son Philippe, who seems to be gently shifting the style of the wines, with aging that strikes us as slightly less dominant. Needless to say, all these wines are built for long-term aging.

A sumptuous, richly crafted Condrieu with undeniable charm. Expressive notes of fresh flowers and juicy peach are enveloped in aromas of toasted acacia and salted butter cream. Smooth, rich, and creamy, it reveals a herbaceous and green vitality. A hint of lemon verbena adds a pleasant touch of bitterness to the finish, which lingers for a long time, revealing a smoky nuance.

The aromatic nose of this golden wine reveals notes of summer peach, as well as floral and herbaceous notes. The palate, equally lively and with an alluring texture, features notes of stone fruit and mineral notes, followed by a long finish marked by citrus notes.

A juicy, sweet, and delicious Condrieu with aromas of peach, sweet lemon, white flowers, and a hint of almond milk. Medium-bodied, it offers a charming, velvety, and round character on the palate, along with a fresh finish.

A true gem of a Viognier, the 2023 Condrieu reveals rich notes of honeyed peach, mandarin, spices, and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, crisp, and pure, with well-integrated oak notes, it spent 19 months in oak barrels, one-third of which were new. Best enjoyed over the next 5 to 7 years.