Côte-Rôtie La Landonne Guigal 1981 (Red)

Located in Ampuis, the cradle of the Côte-Rôtie, Domaine Guigal was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal. Guigal has contributed enormously to putting this appellation on the map, an appellation that was nearly lost to the phylloxera crisis at the close of the 19th century, the economic crisis of 1929 and the the two World Wars. In 1961, the young Marcel Guigal took over the reins. Driven by a desire to produce high quality wines, this young vigneron undeniably changed the perception of Côte-Rôtie wines. Nowadays, the brilliant enologist Philippe Guigal – son of Marcel – runs the domain. The house produces three cuvées “prestige” - La Landonne, La Mouline et La Turque – a sublime trilogy which wine connoisseurs go mad for. 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. Marel Guigal and his son Philippe continue to devote considerable care to all of the winemaking process: low-intervention viticulture, work done entirely by hand, given the parcel's situation on a 45 degree slope, vinification in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats, élevage in new oak barrels for 42 months, to allow the wine to fully develop its aromas etc. The headquarters of the domain 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.

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.

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