Côte-Rôtie La Landonne Guigal 1988

Lot presentation

Côte-Rôtie La Landonne Guigal 1988

The wine

Its full title is "La Landonne – Lieu dit Cadastré", and this famous Côte Brune parcel is home to one of the most highly sought-after cuvées of the Rhône Valley: Guigal's La Landonne. And indeed, connoisseurs are attracted to this wine for its prestigious origins, just like the domain's other two legendary flagships – La Mouline and La Turque. However, unlike the two other monopoles, the La Landonne parcel is not the exclusive property of the Guigal family. Elevage for this wine lasts at least 40 months, in new pièce barrels. With its remarkable aromatic complexity – black berries, leather, licorice, roasted coffee, oriental spices, etc. – La Landonne has extraordinary structure, yet retains its supple tannins. Its richness and concentration are matched only by its potential for keeping, which is exceptional for a Rhône wine: up to 35 years in the best years.

Located in Ampuis, the heart of the Côte-Rôtie, Domaine Guigal was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal who arrived in the region in 1923 at the age of 14. Guigal has contributed enormously to putting this appellation on the map. In 1961, the young Marcel Guigal left school and took over the reins when his father was struck by sudden loss of vision. Driven by a desire to produce high quality wines, the young vigneron undeniably changed the perception of Côte-Rôtie wines. Nowadays, the brilliant oenologist Philippe Guigal – Marcel's son – is the third generation to run the estate, alongside his wife Eve.
The vineyard now also runs over to the Rhone valley's prestigious appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Gigondas, Crozes-Hermitage. They are all vinified and matured in the cellars of Ampuis. Philippe and Eve continue to devote considerable care to all of the winemaking process: sustainable pest management (HVE-certified), entirely manual labour due to the steep slopes of the vineyards, vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, and ageing in new oak barrels for up to 42 months. The house produces three cuvées “prestige” - La Landonne, La Mouline et La Turque – a sublime trilogy which wine connoisseurs go mad for.
The headquarters of the estate is the Château d'Ampuis, a jewel of the Renaissance which is listed as a Historic Monument. The Guigal signature is one of the most emblematic of the Rhone Valley, it shines for its infallible constancy and rigorous grape production.