E. Guigal : Caisse Côte-Rôtie Lala's 2022

The masterful expression of Côte-Rôtie terroirs through an exceptional case by E. Guigal

The estate

Founded in 1946 by Étienne Guigal, the E. Guigal House is a true institution of the Rhône Valley. Currently led by Marcel and Philippe Guigal, the estate stands out for its absolute commitment to excellence, illustrated by its own artisanal cooperage and its high-level environmental certification. Renowned worldwide, this family perpetuates a unique savoir-faire, elevating its wines to the pinnacle of viticulture.

The vineyard

The grapes used to craft the wines in this Lala's 2022 case come from the exceptional terroirs of the Côte-Rôtie appellation, divided between the Côte Brune and the Côte Blonde. The vines grow on vertiginous slopes, sometimes reaching seventy degrees of inclination, which requires entirely manual work and harvesting. The soils, remarkably diverse, are composed of ferruginous mica schists, sands, granites and limestones, giving each parcel a unique identity.

The vintage

The year began with a dry and particularly mild winter, leading to an early budburst of the vines. The dry spring resulted in a light flowering, reducing yields. Summer was marked by intense heatwaves and severe drought, before providential rains in mid-August revived the ripening process. Harvesting thus began exceptionally early, from the end of August.

The case

The Côte-Rôtie Lala's 2022 Case by E. Guigal brings together 4 singular expressions of this emblematic Rhône terroir:

La Landonne 2022
Planted in 1975, the year Philippe Guigal was born, the Côte-Rôtie "La Landonne" is an icon of the Guigal House, produced from 50-year-old vines grown on schist-clay soil rich in iron and manganese. This 100% syrah, vinified with whole clusters, displays a deep red robe with dark reflections, a concentrated nose of black fruits, licorice and roasted notes, leading to a powerful palate with massive tannins of rare intensity. Aged for 40 months in new oak barrels, it reveals all the complexity and strength of an exceptional terroir. A cellaring wine par excellence, it can age for nearly 50 years and will pair wonderfully with large game, red meats or aged cheeses.

La Turque 2022
A true jewel of Domaine Guigal, the Côte-Rôtie "La Turque" is born on a silica-limestone terroir with mica schists, which gives this blend of syrah and viognier a rare elegance combining the power of the Côte Brune with the subtlety of the Côte Blonde. Its ruby red robe with dark reflections introduces an intense nose of small red fruits and spices, leading to a harmonious, silky and concentrated palate, a faithful expression of an exceptional terroir. Carefully vinified through long macerations of 4 weeks and aged for 40 months in new oak barrels, it develops remarkable depth and complexity. Ideal with large game, red meats or aged cheeses, it will keep for up to 25 years for ever-renewed enjoyment.

La Mouline 2022
A true legend of Domaine Guigal, the Côte-Rôtie "La Mouline" is one of the most emblematic and confidential crus of the House, made from centenarian vines of about 100 years, nestled at the heart of the Côte Blonde on a terroir of siliceous gneiss mixed with limestone loess. This blend of syrah and viognier immediately seduces with its ruby red robe with vermilion reflections, an intense and delicate nose of small red fruits and violet, leading to a voluptuous, silky palate of explosive aromatic richness. Vinified through long macerations of 5 weeks and aged for 40 months in new oak barrels, it achieves a rare balance between finesse and concentration. To be enjoyed with small feathered game, red meats or aged cheeses, it will ideally keep for up to 20 years.

La Reynarde 2022
The latest addition to the LaLa's, the Côte-Rôtie "La Reynarde" takes its name from the Reynard stream that separates the Côte Blonde from the Côte Brune, and perfectly embodies the flawless balance between elegance and power. Produced from 10-year-old vines on a soil of clayey mica schists rich in iron oxides, this 100% syrah, vinified with whole clusters, displays a ruby red robe with very dark reflections, an intense nose of licorice and ripe fruits, leading to a powerful and structured palate with tight tannins. Vinified through long macerations of 4 weeks and aged for 40 months in new oak barrels, it expresses all the richness and concentration conferred by its exceptional sun exposure. A great cellaring wine, to be kept for up to 30 years, which will pair perfectly with game, red meats or aged cheeses.

Bottles (75cl)

1 x E. Guigal: La Landonne 2022
1 x E. Guigal: La Turque 2022
1 x E. Guigal: La Reynarde 2022
1 x E. Guigal: La Mouline 2022