E. Guigal Saint Joseph Vignes de L'Hospice 2021
(Northern Rhone, France) - [WA 94+] [JD 93+] [JS 93]

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’s Vignes de l’Hospice is one of the finest sites in the Northern Rhone Valley. Guigal now owns the majority of this steeply terraced vineyard. 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.

Vinified in the same fashion as their Côte Rôtie crus and Ermitage Ex Voto, this wine ferments in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with traditional pumpovers. The wine is then aged for 30 months in 100% new oak barrels, clarified by racking only, and bottled unfiltered.

Tasting Note:
This wine’s complex aromas are dominated by black fruit and a delicate oak sensation. The round and elegant tannins of the powerful palate characterize this unique wine, with all the finesse of its appellation and the strength of its neighbor Hermitage.

Ratings & Reviews

94+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"A real success in the context of the vintage, the 2021 Saint-Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice unfurls in the glass with aromas of dark berries, licorice, chocolate, spices and mulberries, mingled with well-integrated hints of oak. Medium- to full-bodied, vibrant and suave, it’s pure, concentrated and penetrating, concluding with a harmonious, mineral finish."

93+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"An incredible achievement in this challenging vintage, the 2021 Saint Joseph Vignes De L'Hospice boasts cassis, crushed stone, bacon fat, and violet aromas and flavors. Serious, long, and elegant, it has ripe tannins and a gorgeously pure, singular personality."

93 Points - James Suckling:
"If you loved the Northern Rhone wines of 20 or 30 years ago, you will love this. Complex dried herb, smoked bacon and savory aromas. Only medium-bodied, but this has a compact core of healthy tannins and bright acidity. Long, firm finish."