2015 Guigal St Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice

Syrah - 750ML
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REVIEWS

WA 96 WS 96 JS 95 JL 95 JD 94 VN 94
WA 96

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, November 2018

The most impressive vintage of this wine I can recall tasting, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice is an awesome Saint-Joseph. Visitors to the region can easily spot the steep vineyard just above the town of Tournon...
WS 96

Wine Spectator, November 2018

This ripples with stunning raspberry and boysenberry coulis flavors, inlaid liberally with anise and apple wood notes and carrying through the well-defined finish. Lush in feel overall, with a mocha note draped over...
JS 95

jamessuckling.com, August 2018

Seductive complexity with plenty of spicy oak played into fragrant, peppery and spicy blackberries. Plenty of smoked meat and graphite, lots of cloves and very powerful, dark plums, blackberries and mocha on the palate...
JL 95

TheWineCellarInsider.com, September 2018

Almost opaque in color, this is all about its layers of ripe, black fruits, smoke, licorice, herbs and pepper, that fills your palate with flavor. The tannins are present, ripe and firm, giving structure to all the...
JD 94

jebdunnuck.com, December 2018

94+ I was able to taste three vintages of the Vignes de Hospice. This cuvée comes from a cooler, east-facing, incredibly gorgeous vineyard located just above the town of Tournon. The soils here are pure broken granite...
VN 94

Vinous, April 2018

Lurid violet. Expansive aromas of blue fruit preserves, black pepper, violet and star anise, backed by hints of olive and incense. Fleshy, broad and sweet, offering deeply concentrated black and blue fruit, spicecake and...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Syrah
Country France
Region Rhone
Sub-region Northern Rhone
Appellation St Joseph
Vintage 2015
Size 750ML

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.

The 2015 Guigal St Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice is a Syrah of unparalleled caliber from the renowned Rhone region of France. This exquisite wine, a product of the prestigious Guigal estates, showcases the rich heritage and unparalleled expertise of its maker. Hailing from the stunning, steep vineyards that overlook the town of Tournon in the Northern Rhone, this wine carries the unique essence of this historic terroir.

The 2015 vintage has been hailed as one of the most impressive of this wine, showcasing the exceptional quality that the St Joseph appellation can produce in exceptional years. The wine is deep red in color, a testament to its robust nature. On the nose, it offers an intoxicating mix of cedar and vanilla, thanks to its aging in 100% new oak. Yet it also maintains an exquisite balance, with notes of crushed stone and black cherries adding a tantalizing complexity.

This full-bodied Syrah is a masterclass in restraint and balance. While its powerful body gives it a significant presence, it is kept in check by an undercurrent of granite-like austerity. This lends the palate a unique shape and length, resulting in a wine that is bold yet sophisticated. The firm tannins glide away in a silky wash on the finish, making this wine almost approachable now, though it is expected to evolve and improve through at least 2035.

With a score of 96 from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and a 94+ from jebdunnuck.com, the 2015 Guigal St Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice is undoubtedly a wine of extraordinary quality. It is an expression of pure granite goodness, a wine that needs 3-4 years or bottle age to fully reveal its depth and complexity.