E. Guigal

Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Rouge 2017

Saint-Joseph

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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.

VINEYARD

Guigal’s Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit comes from the vineyard that gives the appellation its name, and is one of the finest sites in the Northern Rhone Valley. Guigal owns the majority of this parcel, with 14 acres in total, 60% of which is planted to red grapes and 40% to white grapes. The vines are from 20 to 75 years of age, planted on steep slopes of gneiss with streaks of granite.

Yields are incredibly low for this 100% Syrah wine, harvesting 1.8 tons per acre on average.

WINEMAKING

Fermentation is carried out at high, controlled temperatures and aged in 50% new oak and 50% first year barrels.

VINTAGE

Following the classic 2016 vintage, 2017 in the Northern Rhône was a year of contrasts and challenges. Following a very dry winter, spring was wet with hail and frost in some areas, reducing the crop considerably. Summer was characterized by periods of extreme drought, which continued through the fall, interrupted by some needed rain in early September. The crop in Saint-Joseph was about 15% smaller than usual. However, the fruit was clean and extremely concentrated, with rich but round tannins, producing dense wines of balance and ripeness. Guigal’s 2017 Saint Joseph Lieu Dit Rouge is uncharacteristically rich, with explosive aromas of bacon and smoke and great depth and length – impressive early. A great result!

TASTING NOTE

Deep red in color. Complex with dominant black fruit and delicate oak aromas. A pure and intense nose. A powerful attack on the pallet with round and elegant tannins. Overall, a veritable success. Fresh and powerful. Will become more refined with age.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Syrah

Appellation

Saint-Joseph

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.

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$75

Reviews

"Concentrated yet vibrant"

Vinous - October 12, 2020 “Inky magenta. Heady, mineral- and oak-tinged blue fruit, potpourri, cola and olive aromas are given a spicy edge by a hint of cracked pepper. Impressively concentrated yet vibrant in character, offering sweet, palate-staining boysenberry, floral and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky nuance on the back half. Shows sharp delineation and mineral cut on the impressively long finish, which is framed by supple, harmonious tannins.”

"Extroverted style"

Wine Spectator - October 28, 2020 “An extroverted style, with a rush of boldly ripe plum and blackberry compote flavors that are round and inviting in feel, laced with dark licorice and fruitcake and ending with an inlay of violet on the toasty finish. A buried iron note keeps it all honest.”

"Ripe, polished tannins"

Jeb Dunnuck (95+) - November 20, 2020 "Coming from the namesake vineyard of the appellation just south of Tournon, it reveals a dense purple color as well as a primordial bouquet of smoked black fruits, bacon fat, chocolate, crushed rocks, and graphite. This deep, medium to full-bodied, concentrated effort has ripe, polished tannins, a great mid-palate, and a blockbuster of a finish."

"Full-bodied and velvety"

Wine Advocate - May 14, 2021

"The 2017 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph displays plenty of cedar and vanilla accents on the nose (it's aged in 100% new French oak) [...] Full-bodied and velvety, this is a rich, ripe Syrah that's presently hiding much of its granite terroir behind pillows of fruit and oak—but that sense of structure and proportion does shine through on the long, elegant finish. There's enough concentration and tannin to think at least a decade of aging potential is realistic." - J.C. 

"Appealing from the very first whiff"

Wine & Spirits Magazine - August 19, 2021

"This comes from the vineyard that gave St-Joseph its name, a south-facing parcel of granite in Tournon that grew a garnet-hued beauty in 2017. It’s appealing from the very first whiff, a mix of oak smoke and spicy black plum. While the oak notes from two years in barrels are prominent, the wine feels balanced, the meaty fruit absorbing their impact without losing any of its freshness. You could drink this now for the sexy opulence of its bacon-smoked flavors, but it’s structured to age for a decade or more." 

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Côtes du Rhône Rouge

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Côtes du Rhône Blanc

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Côtes du Rhône Rosé

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Saint-Joseph

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Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Blanc

Saint-Joseph

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Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc

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Hermitage

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Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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