Côte Rôtie La Mouline 2014 - original wood case set of 6

Description

Located in Ampuis, the cradle of Côte-Rôtie wines, the Guigal estate was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal, who arrived in the region in 1923 at the age of 14. It is no stranger to the rise of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, which nevertheless failed to be wiped out on several occasions, during the phylloxera invasion at the end of the 19th century, and the economic crisis of 1929, then the two World Wars. In 1961, the young Marcel Guigal took over the reins of the house from his father, suddenly struck with total blindness. Driven by a constant concern for quality, the masterful work carried out by the Guigal family has undeniably contributed to raising the reputation of Côte-Rôtie wines to the rank of the greatest Bordeaux or Burgundy wines. Today, the succession is ensured by Philippe Guigal, the son of Marcel, brilliant oenologist, and proud representative of the third generation. The house produces three “prestige” cuvées - La Landonne, La Mouline and La Turque - a sublime triptych that enthusiasts are snapping up. But today, the vineyard also covers all the prestigious appellations of the Rhône valley: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Gigondas, Crozes-Hermitage. They are all vinified and aged in the cellars of Ampuis. Marcel Guigal and his son Philippe continue to pay considerable attention to all vitivinicultural tasks: sustainable control, entirely manual work due to the inclination of the plot at nearly 45 °, vinification in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, aging in new oak barrels for 42 months to allow the wine to fully assert its aromas, etc. In terms of heritage too, the illustrious estate stands out: the head office is located at the Château d'Ampuis, a Renaissance gem protected as a Historic Monument. The Guigal house is one of the most emblematic of the Rhône valley, it shines for its flawless regularity and its rigor of grape supply. A plot of barely one hectare, La Mouline is planted on the Côte Blonde, of which it is undeniably the emblematic cru. This vineyard, which has been a monopoly of Maison Guigal since 1966, is remarkably old - 75 years - and enjoys a southern exposure favorable to the full maturity of the grapes. The vines are spread over terraces in the shape of a Roman amphitheater. The Mouline wine benefits from a unique 40-month aging in new pieces and, above all, is the only one of the LA-LA-LA trio to contain such an importance of Viognier (11%) which gives it a resolutely "Burgundian" profile. "according to the words of Eve Guigal. With exceptional finesse and minerality, it reveals sublime aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and violet. If its velvety and silky feel give it the impression of being accessible from its early years, its aging potential is nonetheless impressive.