2019 E. Guigal Gigondas Rhone

The impact and influence of the Guigal family across the Rhône Valley, France, and all the world of fine wine is so immense, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that it’s all happened so quickly. In a country with such a rich and deep wine history, the Guigal family’s story is only in its third generation. The more you learn about the family, the more astounding becomes their story. Their wines are the benchmarks for every Rhone appellation, and over the last thirty years they have become arguably the most lauded producer in the world. Year after year the Guigal family produces wines of exceptional quality that in all classes offer exceptional value.

The last decade has brought vastly increased interest to Gigondas, as the quality potential has been increasingly recognized. The Guigals have been deeply involved in Gigondas for well over 50 years, and it brings them great pleasure to see the increasing interest and appreciation of the appellation. We consider Guigal’s Gigondas the “quiet storm” among their village wines. While they have been widely known for their Châteauneuf-du Pape also produced in the Southern Rhône, and they are increasingly important in Crozes-Hermitage in the North, the Gigondas is the wine that when poured jumps up and down and demands attention. It’s a wine of sheer pleasure, full of ripe fruit, and with a depth and even slightly brooding sense that comes from the important Mourvèdre component. Yet is has refinement, complexity, length, and has a terrific ability to age.

Guigal’s Gigondas is an incredible introduction to serious Southern Rhône reds, and a show-stopper at the price. In the hands of Guigal, the rich ripe fruit and savory character of the wine bursts with sheer pleasure, yet the wine displays terrific refinement, complexity, length, and ability to age.

Gigondas is often thought of like the younger brother to Chateauneuf du Pape. Sitting just outside of Chateauneuf du Pape with a slightly more focused approach on blending just Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre instead of the 13 varieties allowed in CDP.

2019 is another excellent vintage for the Rhône Valley, with exceptional potential quality in both the North and South. A dry spring was followed by a moderate summer featuring three distinct heat spikes; harvest occurred normally in mid-September. The grapes were ripe and concentrated with excellent natural acidity, and the wines are rich but balanced and expressive. Another superb vintage for the region.

Aging: 2 years in oak foudres of which 50% is new oak.

70% Grenache, 20 % Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. Pretty purple, with an intense nose dominated by stone fruits, licorice, and savory garrigue notes. On the palate the wine is generous and elegant, offering cranberry and cherry notes that are accented by hints of clove and allspice. Overall a direct expression, lovely structure, and good tannins, present but supple. This is a wine we keep coming back to again and again!

Looking at the wines from the Southern Rhône, the 2019 Gigondas is medium to full-bodied and nicely textured, with lots of ripe red and black fruits as well as notes of sandalwood and Provençal herbs. ~91-93 Jeb Dunnuck

Marked by scents of Provence herbs, cherries, and blueberries, the 2019 Gigondas is another successful example of this Southern Rhône appellation. Full-bodied and concentrated, it's rich and velvety in feel, with a long finish. ~91-93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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