E.Guigal Cote Rotie La Reynarde

Planted on the steepest slopes of the Fongeant hillside, La Reynarde stands out for its complex geology, composed of mica-schist and gneiss with the presence of migmatites. This plot is an ode to Syrah, which is planted exclusively here. Vinification is carried out using whole bunches and adheres to the family’s exacting standards: to reveal the identity of the terroir with precision and consistency, without artifice. Like the other LALA’S®, La Reynarde benefits from prolonged ageing in new oak barrels crafted at the artisanal cooperage of Château d’Ampuis. This particularity of Domaine Guigal enhances its overall mastery of the production of its exceptional wines. 2022 Wine Advocate 95-97: The debutant 2022 Cote Rotie La Reynarde is a standout in Guigal’s collection and notably less oaky than its counterparts. It's crafted entirely from massal selection Syrah grown on a 1.6-hectare plateau in the Fongeant sector, where the soil is a mix of granite, schist and iron-rich clay. Offering up a complex and engaging bouquet of dark wild berries, iris, lilac, spices and a hint of cinnamon, it’s full-bodied and well-structured, boasting a dense tannic chassis, vibrant animating acids and a long, ethereal finish characterized by unusual chalky grip. With a unique identity within the range, this cuvée will benefit significantly from 4-5 years of cellaring after release and has the potential to reach its 30th anniversary in fine form. A remarkable first release, indeed! Vinous 95-97: The inaugural 2022 Côte-Rôtie La Reynarde unfurls with intense espresso, blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, crushed violets, graphite and cedar. Medium-bodied and concentrated, it strikes a perfect balance between elevated flavor concentration and matching freshness. Structured and round, the La Reynarde is a terrific addition to what is now called the "La-La-La-La: family. Speaking of family, this new wine is a tribute to Philippe Guigal's two sons-Etienne and Charles were both born in 2010, the same year when the clearance for planting and construction in the new vineyard began. Decanter 95: A very floral expression, rose and potpourri. Soft and juicy, easy to enjoy, quite searching tannins, but not overly powerful or robust. A little more fluid than Guigal's other Côte-Rôties, it's not as concentrated as La Turque but more so than La Mouline. A fresh and quite natural expression, which is low in acidity but still very good. Has taken the élevage well to date, which will be 40 months in new oak barriques like the other La Las. The 1.5ha site in lieu-dit Fongeant was planted over the course of four years, the first plantation in 2019. All whole bunch like La Landonne, but sees a more classic extraction using hand pigeage. A promising first vintage.