E. Guigal
Tavel 2021
Tavel
The Guigal family has been working for decades in Tavel, and today specifically works with 6 growers to produce the traditional style of rosé the region is known for – deep fruit, full of spice you find in the reds of the area, structured, and substantial enough to age. Thank goodness this appellation across the river from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 100% dedicated to rosé, still produces wines of this full-bodied style!
Vineyard
Tavel has several major soil types. The Guigal family works with growers who have vineyards on clay and pebbly soils similar to those of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The grape varieties are a mix of the Southern Rhône red grapes, with 60% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 10% Clairette, 10% Syrah, and 5% others.
Winemaking
Guigal works with 6 estates in Tavel and produce the wine in Ampuis. The juice is drawn off the skins after an 8-12 hour maceration and the wine undergoes a temperature-controlled fermentation. Following fermentation the wine ages in stainless steel tanks for 6 months, and then the Guigals prefer to age it in bottle a further 6-12 months.
Vintage
The 2021 vintage in the Rhône Valley is probably best known for the devastating April frosts that made the worldwide news. Unsettled Spring weather was followed by a cooler than usual Summer, dry but without the intense heat that marked the previous three vintages, and September brought some welcome rain. Ripening occurred late, and unevenly, but the extended growing season was something of a return to a ‘normal’ harvest schedule. The grapes had good concentration, healthy natural acidity and normal sugar levels. The resulting rosé and white wines show excellent freshness and depth, while the reds will be full, rich, and lively – clearly benefitting from the extended maturation that the later harvest provided.
Tasting Note
Pure and deep salmon pink. The nose opens with elegant floral and fruit notes. The palate is fruit and well structured, with constant aromatic finesse. Overall, the wine is a pleasant balance between fleshy fruitiness, pleasant acidity, and body.
Color
Rose
Grape Varieties
Cinsault, Clairette, Grenache, Syrah
Appellation
Tavel
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$25.00
Reviews
"Wild strawberries"
Jeb Dunnuck - December 21, 2022 "The 2021 Tavel is richer than the Côtes Du Rhône (as expected) and has a more ruby/salmon hue as well as textbook Tavel notes of wild strawberries, framboise, spice, and even a hint of garrigue. It's medium-bodied and textured, with a clean, dry finish." J.D 12/22
Reviews
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Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
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Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge
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Hermitage Blanc
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Hermitage
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Hermitage is one of France’s most spectacular and famous appellations, producing small quantities of extraordinarily intense and ageworthy red wine and tiny amounts of dry white. The entire vineyard consists of 309 acres planted on a single granite hillside on the banks of the Rhône. The Hermitage Rouge is the example of a racy wine, that manages to remain seductive.
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