E. Guigal
Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 2014
Côte-Rôtie
First planted by the Romans 2,500 years ago, La Mouline is the oldest and most famous vineyard of Cote-Rotie, and Guigal’s single vineyard bottling of La Mouline in the 1960s set off a quality revolution throughout the Rhone Valley. The stunning amphitheater is the most complex plot in Cote-Rotie due to its extremely steep slopes with expositions in every direction. Of the three famous “LaLas” that Guigal produces and are the most collectible wines of the Rhone Valley, La Mouline was the first and is the only one on the Cote Blonde, and its signature is an unbelievable exoticism, an irresistibly and unique lifted floral, black fruit, earthy, spicy perfume, its coiled power always in balance, seemingly endless.
VINEYARD
The steeply terraced amphitheater of La Mouline is not only visually impressive, but lends a variety of expositions and, importantly, both shelters the 2.5 acre site from the wind and acts as a heat trap. The gneiss bedrock has soils of lightly colored silicone containing limestone loess.
The site is planted mostly with Syrah in addition to some Viognier, with the two varieties picked together and co-fermented. The 2014 vintage is 89% Syrah and 11% Viognier.
WINEMAKING
Fermentation for this wine takes place in stainless steel vats. The wine sees traditional pump overs, with fermentation and maceration that lasts about 4 weeks.
It is then aged for 40 months in new oak barrels made at the Chateau d’Ampuis cooperage.
VINTAGE
2014 is a great example of how the steep hillsides of Côte-Rôtie, and within them the favored plots, can withstand weather variations to produce wines with ample fruit. There was trying variation of rain and dry weather, but in the end fruit flies were the major issue in the region, causing very low yields. With a calm end of August through most of September, ripening occurred and the wines have fruit, even a generosity, and an openness. As expected, Still, the quality of La Mouline fruit was excellent.
TASTING NOTE
Rich, ruby red in color with intoxicating and powerful aromas of red berries, violet and blackberries. Seductive with hints of espresso and even grilled meat on the palate. The 2014 La Mouline a wine of voluptuous texture and explosive richness due to the concentration of the fruit.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Syrah, Viognier
Appellation
Côte-Rôtie
Farming
Guigal uses only environmentally sustainable methods of pest, disease and weed control. They work to conserve biological diversity, water resources, soils and ecosystems on their land. Packaging materials are recyclable or biodegradable. Lastly, they are committed to achieving a zero waste target.
Suggested Retail Price
$525
Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck - May 20, 2019 "The 2014 Côte Rôtie La Mouline is up with the top wines in this more challenging vintage and has classy, elegant, and perfumed notes of spring flowers, black raspberries, spice, and hints of bacon fat. It’s an upfront, incredibly charming example of this terroir that’s already drinking nicely yet will keep for 15+ years."
Wine Advocate - December 27, 2018 "Floral aromas accent sturdy notes of grilled meat and almost delicate notes of red berries in the open, approachable 2014 Cote Rotie La Mouline. Medium to full-bodied, it shows great purity and a supple, silky, classic feel. It's built more on elegance and complexity than power, with those floral, herbal notes leaving a long, silky impression on the finish."
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Trade Materials
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