E. Guigal

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2019

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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Guigal produces an intensely concentrated, inviting and complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape that is almost unique to the region today. Their passion for Châteauneuf, the leading appellation of the Southern Rhône, runs as deeply as that for their home sites in the Northern Rhône. The combination of working with top fruit that has perfect ripeness, along with their extraordinary patience in the cellar, results in rich and full, yet savory, spicy, seamless and balanced wines. Wines to enjoy immediately but capable of aging, and, above all, wines that leave you wanting more.

VINEYARD

The Guigal’s Châteauneuf represents work with more than 40 different growers, on the unique rocky alluvial vineyards (the famous “galets”) and red clay soils of the area. The wine is made of 45% White Grenache, 25% Roussanne, 15% Clairette, 10% Bourboulenc, 3% Piquepoul and 2% Picardan 2%.

WINEMAKING

This wine is made using a traditional, temperature-controlled fermentation. The wine is aged for 8 months, 1 quarter aged in wood (barrels and half-muids), of which 50% are new.

VINTAGE

2019 is another excellent vintage for the Rhône Valley, with exceptional potential quality in both the North and South. A dry spring was followed by a moderate summer featuring three distinct heat spikes; harvest occurred normally in mid-September. The grapes were ripe and concentrated with excellent natural acidity, and the wines are rich but balanced and expressive. Another superb vintage for the region.

TASTING NOTE

Pale youthful gold and brilliant in color. The wine offers a vibrantly expressive nose of white flowers and peach. The palate is unctuous, balanced and enhanced by a beautiful freshness. A round, elegant wine that we love serving at the beginning of a meal with crudo, grilled fish and with goat cheese.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Picardan, Piquepoul, Roussanne

Appellation

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Farming

For nearly 4 decades Guigal has used 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%

Suggested Retail Price

$57

Reviews

"Pear and Yellow Grapefruit"

James Suckling - September 2, 2022

"Aromas of hot stone, lemon peel, pear and yellow grapefruit. Medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity and lively ground spice. I like the energy and drive here. Tight finish." -J.S 8/22

"Nutty warmth and spicy detail"

Wine & Spirits - September 26, 2022

"In the opulent, well-upholstered style of white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this feels broad and rich, with a satin texture and luxurious amounts of peach and apricot fruit. The flavors last, their nutty warmth and spicy detail pointing to the wine’s time in oak, the length pointing to the mineral structure that will keep this vibrant for years in the cellar." - 2/22

"Lime curd and meringue"

Wine Spectator - February 4, 2022 "Bright and floral, with a breezy set of verbena, honeysuckle and white peach flavors gliding through, finishing with lime curd and meringue notes on the flattering finish. Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul and Picardan." - J.M 2/22

"Seamless texture"

Jeb Dunnuck - September 26, 2022 "The 2019 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc offers another level of richness as well as elegance. Beautiful notes of white peach, white currants, toasted spice, and brioche all emerge from the glass. Medium-bodied, it has a beautifully layered, seamless texture and a great finish. You can safely drink bottles any time over the coming 4-5 years, and I certainly would not bet against it evolving longer." - J.D 2/22

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Côtes du Rhône Rouge

Given that this particular wine can be the introduction to the entire Rhône Valley for a drinker, as well as the position they occupy in the Rhône, it is not enough for the Guigals to make a good Côtes du Rhône. They are relentlessly driven to produce a distinctive and outstanding wine that drives interest in exploring the entirety of the Rhône.

Côtes du Rhône Blanc

Guigal’s Côtes du Rhône Blanc both sets and steps outside the standard for the appellation and showcases one of the great secrets of the Guigal family: their specialization in the great white Rhône varieties. While only 8% of the Rhône's production is white, a full 25% of Guigal’s production is white and they are today the single largest producer of whites in the Rhône Valley.

Côtes du Rhône Rosé

The Guigal family has made serious dry rosé wines since the 1940s, and their Côtes du Rhône Rosé, like all their Côtes du Rhône wines, is humble in name only. The wine bursts with irresistible fresh red fruits and yet is also serious and satisfying. While this Rosé is always a lovely aperitif, its intensity and richness make it perfect for the table, and it pairs well with all manner of cuisines. And starting with the 2020 vintage, the wine has a stunning new proprietary bottle: a subtle enhancement for an already elegant wine!

Saint Joseph Vignes de l’Hospice

Saint-Joseph

Guigal’s Vignes de l’Hospice is one of the finest sites in the Northern Rhone Valley. This steeply terraced vineyard used to be divided into three, but Guigal now owns majority of this parcel in order to restore perception of Saint-Joseph as an appellation of utmost quality. In fact, 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.

Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Rouge

Saint-Joseph

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.

Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Blanc

Saint-Joseph

A result of its quality, Guigal’s Saint-Joseph Blanc Lieu Dit 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. Saint-Joseph Blanc is a serious wine, with weight and complexity, and is deeply reflective of its vineyard sites. A seamless balance of freshness and fruitiness, pleasure and interest, and flavors and structure. Guigal’s specialty in whites is especially evident in this wine, as it is almost a deceptively serious wine.

Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc

Hermitage

Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal’s to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the de Vallouit and J. L. Grippat domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal’s already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings.

Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge

Hermitage

Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal’s to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the de Vallouit and J. L. Grippat domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal’s already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings.

Condrieu La Doriane

Condrieu

La Doriane is a luxury cuvée of Condrieu that the Guigals have produced since the 1994 vintage. A great success since the first vintage, the wine always seems richly oaked and very fruity when young, transforming in 3-4 years into a seamlessly complex, aromatic and vibrant wine. La Doriane contradicts the accepted wisdom that Condrieu does not age well.