Guigal is the most famous produer in Côte Rôtie and one of the finest in the Rhône Valley. It was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal, following his departure from Vidal-Fleury, where he had worked for just under twenty years. His son, Marcel, joined the company in 1961 and is now the head of the company.
Guigal pioneered the notion of single vineyard Côte Rôties and his 3 most famous wines, La Landonne, La Mouline and La Turque are amongst the most sought after wines in the world today.
Marcel Guigal’s attitude to winemaking is typical of the simple genius that one seems to stumble upon when looking at any of the world’s greatest winemakers – low yields, organic viticulture and little or no intervention in the cellars – in short, a respect for nature and a passion for the wine itself.
94 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
One of the most elegant and ready-to-drink la Landonnes in the past 10-12 years is the 2004 Cote Rotie la Landonne. Already perfumed and complex, with beautiful smoked beef, rose petals, forest floor and sweet dark fruits, it almost has a Pinot Noir-like elegance and seamlessness. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and with nicely integrated acidity, drink it anytime over the coming decade.
95 Points Stephen Tanzer
nky purple. Intensely perfumed, sexy aromas of Asian spices, cherry-cola, violet, yellow rose and black tea. Fresh cherry and dark berry flavors envelop the palate, with zesty minerality providing added lift. Gains sweetness with air, picking up bitter chocolate and candied floral character. Finishes broad, sweet and seemingly endless, with the cola and spice notes repeating.