The Guigal Estate was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in Ampuis, a small ancient village and cradle of the Cote-Rotie appellation. It shelters a unique vineyard where the vines and the wines have been famous for 2,400 years. Arriving in the region in 1924 at the age of 14, Etienne began his career at Vidal-Fleury, participating in its development and working his way up to the position of cellar-master before leaving to establish his own company. He has vinified 67 harvests in Cote-Rotie.

In 1961, although still very young, Marcel Guigal took over management of the establishment from his father who was stricken suddenly with total blindness. In 1973, his wife Bernadette joined him and they worked together to develop the family business. In 1975, their son Philippe was born and is today the estate’s winemaker. With his wife Eve, he represents the third generation to continue the family business, in the service of the great wines of the Rhone Valley.

Their hard work and perseverance enabled them to purchase the Vidal-Fleury Establishment in the mid ‘80s and in 1995, they acquired the famous Chateau d’Ampuis, an ancient fort built in the 12th century, later repurposed into a Renaissance chateau during the 16th century. In a state of neglect and terrible disrepair, Guigal has taken on a colossal renovation, spanning nearly 11 years with over 100 people working on the project.

The Chateau d’Ampuis has become the headquarters of the Guigal Estate while the offices and the cellars remain in the ancient small village of Ampuis. While their vineyards span the length and breadth of what the Rhone Valley offers, the heart of the winery’s production is still Cote-Rotie, whose ultimate expression can be found in Guigal’s most famous releases: La Landonne, La Turque, and La Mouline.

Introducing the 2015 Guigal Hermitage, a remarkable Syrah from the renowned Rhone region in France. This wine showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of the esteemed Guigal winery, known for their dedication to producing wines of exceptional quality.

With its deep, intense red color, this wine immediately captivates the eye. The bouquet is an enchanting symphony of aromas, with cedary notes dominating the forefront. As the wine opens up, concentrated cherries emerge, creating a rich and textured olfactory experience.

On the palate, the 2015 Guigal Hermitage truly comes alive. The chewy texture perfectly complements the concentrated cherries, creating a harmonious and powerful flavor profile. The wine exudes strength, with firm tannins that demand patience and further aging. It is recommended to cellar this wine for at least another 5 years to allow it to fully develop and emerge from its current closed-down state. However, those who have the patience will be rewarded with a wine that is sure to be in fine shape.

Renowned wine critics have also praised the 2015 Guigal Hermitage. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine with an impressive score of 92, noting its cedary aromas and concentrated cherry flavors. Wine Spectator awarded it an outstanding score of 95, highlighting its vibrant raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry flavors, supported by a graphite spine. James Suckling also bestowed a score of 93 upon this wine, praising its seamless integration of oak and its savory, pastry-like edge.

Jeb Dunnuck awarded the 2015 Guigal Hermitage with a score of 94, commending its saturated purple color, great nose of blackberries, and layered, powerful style. Wine Enthusiast bestowed an exceptional score of 96, describing this wine as majestic with a pulsating core of black plum and berry flavors. Vinous awarded it a score of 94, noting its pungent aromas of ripe black and blue fruits and its densely packed and focused palate.

Built for the long haul, this wine spent an impressive 36 months in oak barrels, half of them new. The oak aging contributes plenty of spice, sweetness, and polish, while allowing the wine to develop complexity. As the wood notes fade, the wine reveals warm, ripe mouthfuls of plummy flavor, along with notes of roses, lilies, caramel, and sun-warmed stones. This wine is robust and well-formed, and it is recommended to hide it away for at least eight years before opening.

In conclusion, the 2015 Guigal Hermitage is a wine of exceptional quality and character. With its powerful yet elegant flavors, this wine is sure to impress even the most discerning wine connoisseurs. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for further aging, the 2015 Guigal Hermitage is a true gem from the Rhone region.