E. Guigal

Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 2015

Côte-Rôtie

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La Mouline is historically the oldest vineyard site in Cote-Rotie, with walls dating back 2,400 years. Today its vines are also the oldest in the region, averaging 90 years of age, with the oldest dating back to plantings in the 1890s, from the first plantings after phylloxera. Acquired in 1963 from the Dervieux family, La Mouline was Guigal’s first single-vineyard Côte- Rôtie, and the inaugural vintage was 1966.  This 1-HA vineyard is located on the lighter soils of the Cote Blonde,and is planted to about 11% Viognier, aspects that give La Mouline its telltale aromatic complexity and additional softness and roundness; it is often called the most feminine of Guigal’s Côte-Rôties.

VINEYARD

The steeply terraced amphitheater of La Mouline is not only visually impressive, but lends a variety of expositions and, importantly, both shelters the 2.5 acre site from the wind and acts as a heat trap. The gneiss bedrock has soils of lightly colored silicone containing limestone loess.

The site is planted mostly with Syrah in addition to some Viognier, with the two varieties picked together and co-fermented. The 2014 vintage is 89% Syrah and 11% Viognier.

WINEMAKING

Fermentation for this wine takes place in stainless steel vats. The wine sees traditional pump overs, with fermentation and maceration that lasts about 4 weeks.

It is then aged for 40 months in new oak barrels made at the Chateau d’Ampuis cooperage.

VINTAGE

When Marcel Guigal called 2015 “the vintage of a lifetime” and on par with 1929, 1949, 1955 and 1961, the anticipation while Guigal carried out their customary extended aging was almost too much to bear. The vintage was nearly perfect, from vine dormancy right through harvest, and the resulting wines are spellbinding, with an utterly perfect balance of charm, complexity, and power. Replenishing rain in the winter restored the water tables to supply the plants with nutrients, and then abundant sunshine and warmth helped the vines mature the berries to perfection as the generous diurnal shift maintained the acidity and freshness of the fruit.

TASTING NOTE

Rich, ruby red in color with intoxicating and powerful aromas of red berries, violet and blackberries. Seductive with hints of espresso and even grilled meat on the palate. The 2015 La Mouline a wine of voluptuous texture and explosive richness due to the concentration of the fruit.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Syrah, Viognier

Appellation

Côte-Rôtie

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.

Alcohol

13.0%

Suggested Retail Price

$525

Reviews

"Pure class and a great vintage for sure"

James Suckling (99) - October 30, 2019 "“A very complex and complete nose with everything so integrated and beautifully judged. There are ripe blackberries, blood plums, fragrant spices, dark stones and roasted coffee, to name just some of what is already on offer here. The palate has such richness and such build and layering with ripe dark plums and blackberries, clothed in robes of spice-laden, velvety tannins in a majestic mode. Pure class and a great vintage for sure. One of the best ever."

"Close to perfect"

Wine Advocate (97-99) - October 2, 2019 "“Full-bodied and powerful yet elegant, the 2015 Cote Rotie La Mouline is potentially close to perfect. Espresso, grilled meat, caramelized plum and cassis pick up hints of vanilla and herbal-floral notes on the nearly limitless finish.”

"Packed with currant, raspberry, and plum"

Wine Spectator - September 12, 2019 "This is packed with red and black currant preserves, raspberry pâte de fruit and plum reduction at the core. A long way from opening, as the fruit is encased in layers of singed alder, warm earth and smoldering tobacco. A singed iron spine girds the finish."

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Trade Materials

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