E. Guigal

Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2013

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

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Guigal produces an intensely concentrated, inviting and complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape that is almost unique to the region today. Their passion for Châteauneuf, the leading appellation of the Southern Rhône, runs as deeply as that for their home sites in the Northern Rhône. The combination of working with top fruit that has perfect ripeness, along with their extraordinary patience in the cellar, results in rich and full, yet savory, spicy, seamless and balanced wines. Wines to enjoy immediately but capable of aging, and, above all, wines that leave you wanting more.

Vineyard

Composed of old-vine Grenache (70%), Mourvèdre (15%), Syrah (10%), and the balance of traditional grapes of the appellation. The vines average 50 years of age and are planted on the unique rocky alluvial (the famous “galets”) and red clay soils of the area. Yields are low at around 1.8 tons per acre.

While the Guigals grow and purchase fruit in the Northern Rhône, because they cannot be on site in the Southern Rhône they purchase wines as soon as possible after harvest, often before malolactic conversion is finished. They look for wines of depth, balance and, above all, the ability to age and become great wines. This Châteauneuf represents work with 45 producers.

Winemaking

The Guigals more specifically age their wine far longer than almost anyone in the appellation, allowing it to develop complexity of flavor and texture, and making for an outstanding drinking experience on release. The blended wines spend 2-3 years in large oak foudres followed by extended bottle aging.

Vintage

In summary: a cool start followed by a late harvest vintage. The cold, wet spring in 2013 was followed by a generally normal summer and fine fall. Ultimately the spring conditions led to low yields, in particular for Grenache. There is an appealing freshness to the wines, and the Guigal’s long aging was especially beneficial to rounding out the body and refinement.

Tasting Note

A deep, dark and dense red color. The nose has notes of spice, red berries, and preserved fruits. On the palate, the wine is complex and powerful, with round tannins and notes of ripe plum and cherry stone. Overall, an ample, rich and harmonious wine with beautiful balance.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Syrah

Appellation

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Suggested Retail Price

$52.00

Reviews

"cherry and plum fruit flavors"

Wine Spectator - October 16, 2018 "This is an old-school version, with bay leaf, cedar and leather notes running in lockstep with dried red currant, cherry and plum fruit flavors. Accents of brick dust, sage and cedar score the finish, yet this is never drying or overly rustic in feel, ending with a mineral edge that lends freshness."

"Peppery herbs, lots of garrigue, saddle leather, and darker fruits"

Jeb Dunnuck - August 8, 2018 “Shows the fresh, classic, focused style of the vintage. Peppery herbs, lots of garrigue, saddle leather, and darker fruits emerge from this complex, medium-bodied effort that can be enjoyed anytime over the coming 10-15 years.”

"notes of cherries, leather and licorice on the supple finish"

Wine Advocate - August 8, 2018 "The 2013 Chateauneuf du Pape is the current release, having spent three years in foudres prior to bottling. It’s ready to drink, yet it still has some tannin to offer and marries that structure to notes of cherries, leather and licorice on the supple finish.”

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Côtes du Rhône Rouge

Given that this particular wine can be the introduction to the entire Rhône Valley for a drinker, as well as the position they occupy in the Rhône, it is not enough for the Guigals to make a good Côtes du Rhône. They are relentlessly driven to produce a distinctive and outstanding wine that drives interest in exploring the entirety of the Rhône.

Côtes du Rhône Blanc

Guigal’s Côtes du Rhône Blanc both sets and steps outside the standard for the appellation and showcases one of the great secrets of the Guigal family: their specialization in the great white Rhône varieties. While only 8% of the Rhône's production is white, a full 25% of Guigal’s production is white and they are today the single largest producer of whites in the Rhône Valley.

Côtes du Rhône Rosé

The Guigal family has made serious dry rosé wines since the 1940s, and their Côtes du Rhône Rosé, like all their Côtes du Rhône wines, is humble in name only. The wine bursts with irresistible fresh red fruits and yet is also serious and satisfying. While this Rosé is always a lovely aperitif, its intensity and richness make it perfect for the table, and it pairs well with all manner of cuisines. And starting with the 2020 vintage, the wine has a stunning new proprietary bottle: a subtle enhancement for an already elegant wine!

Saint Joseph Vignes de l’Hospice

Saint-Joseph

Guigal’s Vignes de l’Hospice is one of the finest sites in the Northern Rhone Valley. This steeply terraced vineyard used to be divided into three, but Guigal now owns majority of this parcel in order to restore perception of Saint-Joseph as an appellation of utmost quality. In fact, Guigal is often asked when they will produce a fourth “LaLa,” and their response is that their fourth single vineyard phenomenon of the Northern Rhone is already being produced: the Vignes de l’Hospice.

Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Rouge

Saint-Joseph

A result of its quality, Guigal’s Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Rouge comes from the “Saint-Joseph” vineyard that gives the appellation its name. This site convinced the Guigals to work in Saint-Joseph and help to restore the historic perception of Saint-Joseph as an appellation of utmost quality. The 100% Syrah wine has complex and deep black fruit, floral, spice and mineral characteristics. Despite its concentration and powerful attack, the wine retains the trademark elegance that Saint-Joseph offers.

Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Blanc

Saint-Joseph

A result of its quality, Guigal’s Saint-Joseph Blanc Lieu Dit comes from the “Saint-Joseph” vineyard that gives the appellation its name. This site convinced the Guigals to work in Saint-Joseph and help to restore the historic perception of Saint-Joseph as an appellation of utmost quality. Saint-Joseph Blanc is a serious wine, with weight and complexity, and is deeply reflective of its vineyard sites. A seamless balance of freshness and fruitiness, pleasure and interest, and flavors and structure. Guigal’s specialty in whites is especially evident in this wine, as it is almost a deceptively serious wine.

Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc

Hermitage

Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal’s to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the de Vallouit and J. L. Grippat domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal’s already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings.

Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge

Hermitage

Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal’s to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the de Vallouit and J. L. Grippat domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal’s already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Guigal produces an intensely concentrated, inviting and complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape that is almost unique to the region today. Their passion for Châteauneuf, the leading appellation of the Southern Rhône, runs as deeply as that for their home sites in the Northern Rhône. The combination of working with top fruit that has perfect ripeness, along with their extraordinary patience in the cellar, results in rich and full, yet savory, spicy, seamless and balanced wines. Wines to enjoy immediately but capable of aging, and, above all, wines that leave you wanting more.

Condrieu La Doriane

Condrieu

La Doriane is a luxury cuvée of Condrieu that the Guigals have produced since the 1994 vintage. A great success since the first vintage, the wine always seems richly oaked and very fruity when young, transforming in 3-4 years into a seamlessly complex, aromatic and vibrant wine. La Doriane contradicts the accepted wisdom that Condrieu does not age well.