Guigal Gigondas Rouge 2011
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine & Spirits
This feels regal and old-fashioned in the best way, a gruff, gravelly Gigondas made charming by its subdued fruit and sweet earthiness. Two years in oak foudres - half of them new - has added a brown-sugar richness to the fruit; any charry notes have been incorporated fully, turning the flavors toward roast meat. Firm and savory, this is a pleasure to drink now, and it's sure to age well over the next decade.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Scheduled to be bottled early in 2014, the 2011 Gigondas is another excellent wine from the Guigals. The same blend and elevage as the 2010, it shows more red fruits and spice, with loads of kirsch, dried flowers, and garrigue, medium-bodied richness and a delicious, already approachable profile.
Range: 88-91
Other Vintages
2019-
Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine &
Spirits -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker -
Jeb
Dunnuck
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling
-
Wine &
Spirits -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker - Decanter
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Enthusiast
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the ancient village of Ampuis, home of the wines of the Côte-Rôtie. In these vineyards that are over 2400 years old, you can still see the small terraced walls characteristic of the Roman period. Etienne Guigal arrived in this region in 1923 at the age of 14. He made wine for over 67 vintages and, at the beginning of his career, participated in the development of the Vidal-Fleury establishment.
Despite his young age, Marcel Guigal took over from his father in 1961 when the latter was victim to a brutal illness rendering him blind. Marcel's hard work and perseverance enabled the Guigals to buy out Vidal-Fleury in 1984, although the establishment retains its own identity and commercial autonomy. In 2000, the Guigals purchased the Jean-Louis Grippat estate in Saint-Joseph and Hermitage, as well as the Domaine de Vallouit in Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage.
In the cellars of the Guigal estate in Ampuis, the northern appellations of the Rhône Valley are produced and aged. These are the appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage. The great appellations of the Southern Rhône, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and Côtes-du-Rhône, are also aged in the Ampuis cellars.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
The Southern Rhône region of Gigondas extends northwest from the notably jagged wall of mountains called the Dentelles di Montmirail, whose highest point climbs to about 2,600 feet. The region and its wines have much in common with the neighboring Chateauneuf-du-Pape except that the vineyards of Gigondas exist at higher elevation and its soils, comprised mainly of crumbled limestone from the Dentelles, often produce a more dense and robust Grenache-based red wine.
The region has a history of fine winemaking, extending back to Roman times. But by the 20th century, Gigondas was merely lumped into the less distinct zone of Côtes du Rhône Villages. However, it was first among these satellite villages to earn its own appellation, which occurred in 1971.
Gigondas reds must be between 50 to 100% Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre comprising the bulk of the remainder of the blend. They tend express rustic flavors and aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry, fig, plum, as well as juniper, dried herbs, anise, smoke and river rock. The best are bold but balanced, and finish with impressively sexy and velvety tannins.
The Gigondas appellation also produces rosé but no white wines.