E.Guigal Cotes du Rhone

Etienne Guigal (aka E.Guigal) was the man who started what has now become one of the world’s most lover Rhone Valley producers.

Arriving into the region as a spotty faced 14 year old kid, Etienne working for the Vidal Fleury winery for 15 years before setting up his own gig. Etienne went on to do 67 harvests in the region and in later years his son, Marcel, actually bought his old man’s former employer (Vidal Fleury) in 1984.

It was in the 80s that E.Guigal started to make a name for itself when the world’s most influential wine scribbler Robert Parker raved about Guigal wines. “In the past 26 years I have spent visiting wineries and vignerons, I have never seen a producer so fanatical about quality as Marcel Guigal.”

This 2022 release is a blend of Syrah (50%), Grenache (40%) and Mourvèdre (10%) and aged 18 months in oak before release. A medium to full bodied red that’s spicy and peppery and simply bursting with dark, red and black fruit flavours.

It’s had a swag of thumbs-up reviews from critics here and overseas…

5 Stars, 93/100 (Sam Kim)
“It’s wonderfully styled and inviting on the nose with dark plum, sweet cherry, cured meat, thyme, and hazelnut aromas. The palate delivers excellent weight, a plump mouthfeel, and velvety texture, wonderfully framed by layers of fine tannins, making it sturdy yet silky and smooth with a lengthy, flavoursome finish. At its best: now to 2030.”

92/100 (Jeb Dunnuck)
“The Cotes Du Rhone is smoking good, offering up blackberries, pepper, and garrigue in a round, supple, medium to full-bodied style. Based on 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, partially aged in oak foudres, this impressive effort shows remarkable quality for the appellation.”

90/100 (RobertParker.com)
“Notes of lilac, dark cherries and flowers preface Guigal’s 2022 Côtes du Rhône, a juicy, round and elegant wine that is also remarkably dense for the vintage and represents excellent value.”

90/100 (James Suckling)
“An impressive Cotes-du-Rhone with stacks of blackberry and black raspberry fruit wrapped around a core of moderately dry tannins on the bold palate. Long self-confidently dry finish.”

90/100 (Decanter)
“Modern, lifted and a bit heady, but attractive and evocative. Black cherry inkiness segues into a dense palate where all the fruit is crammed into a structured body with drying tannins. Herbs and stones hemmed in by a firm grip. A good all rounder.”

This is an absolute signature style Cotes du Rhone red from a world famous producer – a must try if you’re new to the Rhone Valley scene. Under cork closure it’s got solid cellaring potential of 7-8 years and makes a great partner to a wide range of meats and cheeses.