E. Guigal - Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde de Guigal 2020

Marcel and Philippe Guigal jointly lead 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, as always, the estate boasts a rich 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.

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 already identified by the monks of the Hospice de Tournon—with 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.

Alluring, smoky notes of grilled bacon, ripe cherries, and blueberries emerge on the nose of the 2020 Côte Rôtie Brune et Blonde. Full-bodied and reasonably concentrated, this wine finishes with an elegant layer of silky tannins. It seems reasonably early and should be drinkable shortly after its release.

 

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 trio from the “ Côte-Rôtie ”: 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 premier 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 practices that strike us as slightly less dominant. Needless to say, all these wines are built for long-term aging.

Tight and firm, with a hint of charcoal. The fruit seems ripe and refined, and there’s a touch of pepper. Slightly dry finish. The oak isn’t very pronounced yet, but the wine shows great promise.

The 2020 Guigal Brune et Blonde " Côte-Rôtie " makes a good first impression. Ripe black fruit bursts from the glass, mingling with notes of pencil shavings, dried meat, and licorice. Moderately full-bodied and concentrated, the 2020 finishes with intensity and a savory aftertaste.

Although characterized by dark forest berries, this wine displays such floral and mineral freshness that it’s a delight! Concentrated and very precise, the interplay between the oak, the fine tannins, and the fruit aromas on the palate is perfect. It has just been bottled and will benefit from being aerated or decanted. This blend consists of 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier. It was aged for three years in a 50-50 mix of new and used barrels. Enjoy it now, but it will be at its best starting in 2024.

The 2020 Côte Rôtie Brune et Blonde, produced in larger quantities, is a winner, and readers could do much worse than having a case of it in their cellar. Ripe black raspberries, spring flowers, smoke, and hints of meat shine through here, and the palate is medium-bodied and rich, with fine tannins and plenty of charm and character. Best enjoyed over the next 10 to 12 years.