E. Guigal

Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Rouge 2016

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 outstanding 2015 vintage, 2016 did not disappoint in the Northern Rhône. It is a brilliant expression of the terroir, and wonderfully elegant even in their youth with great intensity and ripe fruit flavors. A late spring was followed by hot weather from July through September, which promoted ripening. An Indian Summer through October ensured full maturation of fruit.

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.

Suggested Retail Price

$75

Reviews

"Polished and focused, will have fans for sure"

Wine Spectator - January 16, 2020 "Warm in feel, with a velvety display of enticing plum sauce and cherry preserve notes that meld with ganache, melted licorice and mesquite flavors through the slightly exotic finish. Stays polished and focused. Will have fans for sure."

"Smooth and supple fruit"

James Suckling - October 30, 2019 "A bold, brassy nose with so much licorice, graphite and cedary oak, linked by red plums and blueberries. The palate has a band of ripe, smooth and supple fruit with such silky tannins, building long and even. Really holds in a long, elegant way."

"Sweet, seamless and expansive"

Vinous - September 30, 2019 “Bright purple. Powerful black/blue fruit, incense, exotic spice, olive and peony scents show excellent clarity and pick up a smoky mineral note as the wine stretches out. Sweet, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blueberry, cherry liqueur, olive, smoky bacon and spicecake flavors that are supported by a spine of juicy acidity.”

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Trade Materials

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