Côte-Rôtie La Mouline Guigal 1996 (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.

A parcel of just one hectare, La Mouline is located in the Côte Blonde, and is undoubtedly its most iconic wine. This vineyard, which has been a Guigal monopole since 1966, is remarkably old – 75 years – and has a southerly exposure conducive to full maturity in the grapes. The vines are spread across terraces which form the shape of a Roman amphitheatre.The wine of La Mouline enjoys a unique 40-month élevage in new pièce barrels. With its exceptional refinement and mineral character, it reveals sublime blackcurrant, blackberry and violet aromas. The small proportion of Viognier lends it a velvety, silky body that ensures it is accessible from its earliest years, yet still retains an impressive keeping potential.

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