E. Guigal Saint Joseph Lieu-Dit 2021
(Northern Rhone, France) - [WA 92] [JD 91] [WS 91]

The Property:
The E. Guigal Estate was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal, in Ampuis. His son, Marcel, took over in 1961. Today, the 3rd generation, Marcel’s son Philippe, continues the legacy and values of this iconic family house in the Rhône Valley.

With vineyards in Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Saint-Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage, the E. Guigal estate oversees a mosaic of vineyards located in numerous appellations that form a range of wines of impeccable quality.

Over the vintages, the E. Guigal house has experienced strong development, notably becoming the owner in 1995 of the famous Château d’Ampuis, as well as several wine estates (Jean-Louis Grippat, Domaine de Vallouit, Domaine de Bonserine and Château de Nalys, in Châteauneuf-du-Pape).

The Vineyard:
Guigal owns the majority of this eponymous parcel in Saint-Joseph with 14 acres in total (60% red grapes and 40% white). The vines range from 20 to 75 years old and are planted in steep slopes of gneiss with streaks of granite. The Syrah vines are incredibly low-yielding, harvesting only 1.8 tons per acre.

Tasting Note:
Pure and intense aromas of black fruit with delicate notes of oak lead into a fresh, powerful attack. This wine becomes more refined with age.

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"More somber than the Saint-Joseph bottling, the 2021 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph evokes aromas of spices, dark berries, gentian, pencil lead and bay leaf. Medium- to full-bodied and structured, it offers a deep core of succulent fruit, elegant tannins and a long, saline finish."

91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Bottled a week before my tastings, the 2021 Saint Joseph Lieu-Dit Saint Joseph is outstanding and is a clear success in the vintage. Ripe red and black fruits, spice, leather, and a touch of meatiness all emerge from the glass, and it's medium-bodied, upfront, has soft tannins, and outstanding length. It will drink nicely for 7-8 years, if not over a decade given its balance."

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Dark and chewy, with a core of black fruit encased in salt and mesquite smoke, plus a tug of tar. Savory elements and sweet oak polish lead through the brooding, muscular finish."