E. Guigal

Gigondas 2016

Gigondas

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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.

Vineyard

The vineyards of Gigondas are planted on hillsides at the foot of Mont Ventoux, directly north-east of the town of Orange in the southern Rhône Valley. The dry, stony slopes produce substantial wines that are deep in color, with flavors of ripe summer fruits and savory herbs.

Winemaking

Guigal selects wines from small domaines to produce a blend which is true to the appellation, yet polished, refined, and capable of aging many years. The wines see a traditional lengthy maceration and two years of aging in oak foudres, of which 50% are new. The blend is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre.

Vintage

The 2016 vintage to the Southern Rhône Valley is akin to the absolutely outstanding 2015 in the North. There was an extended growing season, which provided freshness in the Grenache and the ripeness in the Mourvedre. The Syrah is supple and generous in style.

Cool nights during the Indian summer helped to ensure the success of the Grenache fruit, which can easily become overripe and imbue alcoholic characteristics.

The 2015 was a star, yet we are extremely excited about the 2016. It is more full-bodied, with a layered, bright, racy style.

Tasting Note

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!

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah

Appellation

Gigondas

Farming

For nearly 4 decades Guigal has used 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.

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$35.00

Reviews

Wine Enthusiast - February 4, 2021

Editors' Choice Full Review to be Published in May, 2021

"Hint of spicecake"

Vinous - January 20, 2023

"Deep red. The fragrant, spice-accented nose offers candied red berries, cherry liqueur, musky earth and lavender notes. Subtly sweet raspberry and cherry flavors show fine clarity; a hint of spicecake builds steadily as the wine opens up. The energetic, persistent finish repeats the red fruit and floral notes. Supple tannins lend shape and gentle grip." J.R 1/23

"Full-bodied, creamy and rich"

Wine Advocate (92-94) - December 13, 2019 "The 2016 Gigondas is full-bodied, creamy and rich. It must boast considerable alcohol, as it prompted Philippe Guigal to offer, “When dry extract is high enough, alcohol is not a problem.” Yet I didn’t detect any heat, just wonderfully ripe fruit, supple tannins and a long finish."

"Savory-edged offering"

Wine Spectator - January 14, 2021 "Singed alder and mesquite hints lead off in this savory-edged offering, with lightly dried red currant and plum fruit forming the core. Incense and sanguine accents curl around the finish, with a lingering wood spice accent." 

"Drop-dead gorgeous wine"

Jeb Dunnuck - December 13, 2019 "The finest effort I’ve tasted from this estate’s Gigondas, their 2016 is a drop-dead gorgeous wine that competes with the best in the appellation. Loads of framboise, lavender, garrigue, and hints of game emerge from this sweetly fruited, full-bodied, powerful yet elegant Gigondas. It’s beautiful wine and I continue to believe that 2016 is one of the greatest vintages ever (if not the greatest) for the Southern Rhône. You can drink this beauty any time over the coming 15-20 years."

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.