Guigal (Winemaking, Prices, Best Wines 2024)
Curious to know all about Guigal before buying a bottle for your wine collection?
Home to some of Rhone’s finest wines, the E. Guigal (Établissements Guigal) wine estate is run by a family of passionate winemakers and oenologists. Its fascinating history, traditional winemaking techniques, and age-worthiness make Guigal wines highly sought-after in the wine world.
So, let’s take a tour of the E. Guigal Estate and discover its fascinating history, unique winemaking, taste, and The Best E. Guigal Wines To Invest In 2024.
Also, find The Easiest Way To Invest In These Fine Wines!
Further reading
- Explore The World Of Fine Wine Investment with this comprehensive guide!
- Feeling like a luscious red wine from Spain? Try these Enchanting Tempranillo Wines.
A Quick Introduction To The Guigal Wine Estate
E. Guigal is one of Rhone’s most prestigious wine estates founded by Etienne Guigal in 1946, Ampuis (France.) Etienne’s son, Marcel Guigal, currently manages it.
Marcel’s son, Philippe Guigal, has been an active winemaker and holds the position of Director and Oenologist.
Interestingly, Guigal only owns 150 acres of vineyards in Cote Rotie, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Condrieu, and Chateauneuf du Pape. They also produce some wines from Gigondas, Tavel, and Côte du Rhône appellations.
In addition to being a brilliant wine producer, Guigal is also a successful negociant company.
They have access to the top Rhone Valley vineyards. They buy the best grapes from across the region and vinify 33% Cote Rotie and 45% Condrieu wines.
What’s astonishing is that they achieved all this in less than 60 years as compared to other famous European winemakers who’ve been around since the 1800s or earlier!
Even today, Marcel and Philippe Guigal constantly taste wines (200 a day on average!) They then select the top 1% of these Rhone wines.
Also read: Looking for cocktail recipes? Try this Flavorful Sangria or a Delicious Mimosa.
The Origins Of Guigal: A Story Of Passion And Dedication
Etienne Guigal came to Ampuis to pick apricots as his family could no longer take care of him.
In the 1930s, when he was only 14, his brother Philippe Guigal helped him score a job at the Vidal Fleury establishment, the largest winery in Rhone.
Within 15 years, Etienne went from pruning the vineyards to becoming the cellar master at Vidal Fleury. In 1946, he started his own firm, E. Guigal.
Unfortunately, in 1961, Etienne was struck with blindness, and Marcel Guigal (still a student) had to step in to take his father’s place.
Today, Marcel and his brother, together with their wives, work relentlessly to improve the Guigal estate.
Let’s take a look at their significant achievements.
- In 1995 they acquired, a historically rich renaissance chateau.
- In 2001, they bought Jean-Louis Grippat and de Vallouit Domaines.
- Soon after, in 2003, Guigal dived into the art of barrel-making.
- Guigal purchased the Domaine de Bonserine in 2003 - although the domaine still retains its independence while enjoying Guigal’s support.
- In 2017, they purchased Château de Nalys in Châteauneuf du Pape, marking their presence in the southern Rhone.
From a few square meters to 3 hectares of cellars, the Guigal family has been growing and improving with the same unwavering determination with which they started.
Let’s take a closer look at E. Guigal vineyards that span across Rhone Valley.
Guigal Vineyards And Wines
The rich soils and optimal climate is what makes E. Guigal vineyards the best in the appellation.
Here’s everything you need to know about them.
1. Cote Rotie
The three top Guigal red wines, La Landonne, La Mouline, and La Turque (collectively known as the La Las), are produced in this northern Rhone appellation. This La La trio or Guigal’s “Trilogie” are made from Guigal’s top three Cote Rotie vineyards.
The vineyards span across the Reynard river in Cote Brune (upstream) and Cote Blonde (downstream.)
The schist and iron soils of Cote Brune vineyards produce intense Syrah grapes that are full of character. On the other hand, the limestone-rich sandy soils of Cote Blonde are perfect for Syrah, as well as Viognier grapes.
The top Cote Rotie wines include:
- Château d’Ampuis: This red wine is typically a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier grapes.
- La Landonne: This Syrah wine is made from the fruit produce of the La Landonne vineyard.
- La Mouline: A single-vineyard wine, La Mouline is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Viognier.
- La Turque: The last part of ‘The Trilogie,’ La Turque is vineyard-designated wine with a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier.
- Brune et Blonde de Guigal: This wine is typically a blend of 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier grapes.
2. Condrieu
The vineyards of this northern Rhone appellation are dedicated to Viognier grapes. That’s because the steep vineyard plots have well-drained soils - perfect for this grape variety.
Condrieu produces two major wines:
- La Doriane: An aromatic white wine made from 5 top terroirs of Condrieu
- Luminescence: Guigal has produced only three vintages of this rare sweet dessert wine.
Also read: Looking for a Delicious Bottle Of Champagne for your next event? Also, we can help you find The Right Glass to serve it!
3. Saint-Joseph
The Saint Joseph vineyards enjoy steep south-facing slopes and granite soils - perfect for Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne grape varieties.
The three notable Saint-Joseph wines are:
- Lieu Dit - Red: This red wine is known for its spicy notes.
- Lieu Dit - White: It’s a fleshy white wine loved for its aromatic nose.
- Vignes de l’hospice: It is a Syrah varietal wine admired for its bold and intense body.
4. Hermitage
Guigal’s Hermitage vineyards are located on rocky granite-rich soils. The red wines of the appellation are produced from Syrah grapes, while the whites are made from Marsanne and Roussanne.
Here are the two major Hermitage wines.
- Ex-Voto Red: This red wine is made from the old vines of Bessards, Greffieux, Murands, and Hermite vineyards.
- Ex-Voto White: It is an aromatic white wine produced only in exceptional vintages.
Also read: Want the best white wine? Explore the flavors of Rich Sauvignon Blanc and Aromatic Riesling Wine.
5. Crozes-Hermitage
Guigal’s Crozes-Hermitage vineyards enjoy well-drained warm pebbly soils. They are dedicated to Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne grapes.
The two Crozes-Hermitage wines are:
- Crozes-Hermitage Red: It is a fruity red wine with spice notes.
- Crozes-Hermitage White: This white wine is admired for its fresh and fruity flavor.
6. Châteauneuf du Pape
The Chateauneuf du Pape vineyards consist of 13 grape varieties, with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault being the major ones.
The grapes benefit from the calcareous soils and the warm Mistral winds of the region.
The Châteauneuf du Pape wines:
- Saintes Pierres de Nalys: It is an aromatic white wine that showcases the rich flavors of South Rhone.
- Chateau Nalys - Grand Vin: This wine is loved for its peachy flavors.
Also read: Explore Everything About Chateauneuf du Pape with this detailed guide.
Guigal: Viticulture and Winemaking
Guigal’s exceptional winemaking process starts at the vineyards, ensuring that every vine gets the best Rhone soils. They believe (and rightfully so) that the soils are the secret behind a concentrated and balanced fruit.
From budding to harvest, the vineyards are constantly monitored and pruned. The focus is to produce low-yields to attain naturally concentrated grapes.
Guigal follows traditional Rhone winemaking techniques. Let’s take a closer look at them.
- All the Guigal wines are made from yeast fermentation and with minimal intervention of the estate’s winemaker. They do not carry out any fining or filtration.
- Every wine spends some time in the cellar to integrate the tannins and develop flavors.
In fact, the top Guigal wines like La Mouline are left to develop anywhere between three to four years.
- Lastly, their best wines are aged in new oak barrels (produced in-house) that enhance the fruit’s flavor by imparting oak notes to the wine.
Every year Guigal produces about 800 oak barrels to fulfill their annual wine demand.
Also read: Take a trip to The Beautiful Chianti Wine Region with this comprehensive article.
Ready to look at some of the delicious wines produced at Guigal?
The Best Guigal Wines in 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)
Here are some of the best E. Guigal Wines to invest in 2024.
1. 2000 E. Guigal Côte Rôtie La Landonne - La Turque - La Mouline Assortment, Rhône
With three of Guigal’s best wines - La Landonne, La Turque, and La Mouline - this assortment of three 2000 vintages is the best way to cherish Guigal’s exceptional winemaking.
Made from the fruit of the top vineyard plots, the wines showcase the bold Syrah grape at its best. Besides, the aging in oak barrels lends the wines spicy and savory notes.
Price of 2000 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Landonne - La Turque - La Mouline Assortment, Rhone: $2,547
2. 1978 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Mouline
One of Guigal’s high end wines, the 1978 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Mouline reflects terroir with its brooding dark fruit notes.
The nose opens to truffle and spice notes. The wine is thick on the palate with a lasting red fruit finish.
Price of 1978 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Mouline: $4,329
Also read: Dive into the world of Exotic Zinfandel Wine!
3. 2005 E. Guigal Cote Rotie Hommage a Etienne Guigal
An epitome of power and elegance, the 2005 E. Guigal Cote Rotie Hommage is a must-try drink for wine lovers.
The nose gives off black pepper, spice, and red fruit aromas. The palate has a complex depth that gives the wine a long finish.
Price of 2005 E. Guigal Cote Rotie Hommage a Etienne Guigal: $605
4. 1988 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Landonne
The 1988 La Landonne by E. Guigal has a subtle nose with peppery, smoky aromas. The palate has a deep complexity of red and black fruit flavors.
Price of 1988 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Landonne: $1,009
(Another tip: If you’re a fan of fruity wines, then try the E. Guigal Cote du Rhone reds, especially Cotes du Rhone Rouge.)
5. 1985 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Turque
The first La Turque vintage, this 1985 bottle by E. Guigal, is a perfect balance of rich aromas and complex flavors.
The nose has beautiful and rich smoky aromas with subtle hints of damp earth. The palate has a noticeable acidity with black fruit, cassis, and olive notes.
Price of 1985 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Turque: $1,693
Also read: Explore Delicious Rose Wines from across the globe!
6. 2003 E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto
Aged in new French oak for four years, this Syrah is a perfect example of a rich and intense wine. The complex nose has layered notes of creme de cassis, smoked meats, licorice, spice, and spring flowers. The wine has a heavy body, but the tannins are smooth and velvety.
Price of 2003 E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto: $547
7. 2010 E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto Blanc
A complex white by E. Guigal, the 2010 Ex-Voto Blanc gives off a range of aromas.
The nose offers graphite, flint, white currants, white peach, and quince scents. The palate has a subtle bitter citric flavor with bright acidity.
Price of 2010 E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto Blanc: $350
8. 2015 E. Guigal Condrieu Luminescence
A sweet white wine by E. Guigal, the Luminescence is an extremely expressive wine.
The nose has an elegant bouquet of honey, caramel, mulled pear, and apricots. The palate is weighty with a subtle minerality.
It is a great wine to pair with cured meats.
Price of 2015 E. Guigal Condrieu Luminescence: $185
9. 2008 E. Guigal Chateau d'Ampuis Cote Rotie
This 2008 vintage from the famous Chateau d’Ampuis displays an opaque ruby color. On the nose, you will notice seductive dark berry and cedar aromas while its silky tannin highlights the palate.
This wine (or Barbera d’Asti) makes a perfect gift for a red wine lover!
Price of 2008 E. Guigal Chateau d’Ampuis Cote Rotie: $169
10. 2002 E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane
Counted among Guigal’s great wines, the 2002 La Doriane showcases Viognier’s best expression.
Violets, white peach, and honey scents dominate the nose. The palate is lush and full-bodied, and the fine tannins and a slight minerality.
Price of 2002 E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane: $199
Should You Invest In E. Guigal Wines?
The E. Guigal winery produces its Syrah-dominated red wines with the utmost care and precision.
La Las can age for more than 20 years. In fact, La Landonne can age up to 35 years.
In addition to this, Guigal also produces a limited number of bottles. The La La wines are one of the hottest releases every year because they only produce about 400 cases annually!
Limited production and praise-worthy rating from wine critics, including Robert Parker and Jeb Dunnuck, make Guigal wines one of the most sought-after wines among wine collectors.
The once highly anticipated vintages of 2015, 2016, and 2017 did not disappoint wine critics when they were eventually released. Robert Parker was all praises of the 2015 La Turque and gave it a 98-100 wine score.
The 2008 La Landonne showed a price appreciation of 38.8% during 2019 - the highest by any Rhone wine!
But how do you buy the best E. Guigal or Cotes du Rhone wines without worrying about a counterfeit bottle or going through the hassle of shipping and storage?
Your best option would be to buy your wine through a trusted wine investment company like Vinovest that helps you buy and store authenticated collectible wines.
Invest in Authentic Guigal and Other Fine Wines through Vinovest
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Add a Rhone Valley Master Piece to Your Wine Collection
The Guigal family ensures that every vintage gets its best expression - from carefully harvesting the grapes to aging their wines in handcrafted barrels.
Their rich and intense reds and aromatic whites are not only perfect for lively celebrations, but they also add great value to your wine collection.
An easy way to explore the world of investing in Guigal and other fine collectible wines is through Vinovest.
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