E. Guigal
Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Rouge 2015
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.
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
When Marcel Guigal called 2015 “the vintage of a lifetime” and on par with 1929, 1947 and 1961, the anticipation while Guigal carried out their customary extended aging was almost too much to bear. From a vintage nearly as perfect as you could get, from vine dormancy right through harvest, the 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. To buy, drink, age and, above all, enjoy as often as possible!
TASTING NOTE
The 2015 is a wonderful expression of Saint Joseph; it has kept its freshness and power and should refine with time. A deep, sultry red in color, this wine is dominated by delicate aromas of wood and black fruit up front. Truly opulent, it continues to open up with notes of spice, herbs and cassis fruit. There is a supple roundness and ripe tannins, thanks to the undergrowth from the vineyard.
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
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Saint Joseph Vignes de l’Hospice
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Côte-Rôtie
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Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge
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Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc
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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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