Côte-Rôtie’s finest

Côte-Rôtie’s finest

Côte-Rôtie is the physical and spiritual home of the Guigal family; a now-storied appellation at the northernmost point of the Northern Rhône whose name literally translates as ‘roasted slope’ for the dizzyingly steep, natural amphitheatre suntrap formed by the high banks cut into the valley.

Since the Domaine’s foundation, the Guigals have planted or purchased indisputably the finest vineyards in the appellation, making wines that have lifted Côte-Rôtie from a point where it was little-known and little-discussed to being one of the most sought-after names in fine wine. And without question, the flagship Guigal vineyards in Côte-Rôtie are the so-called ‘La Las’: La Mouline, La Landonne, La Turque and – released for the first time this year – La Reynarde.

Each vineyard has its own distinctive character – the near-Burgundian elegance of La Mouline, power of La Landonne (the only single variety Syrah of the quartet) or the more velvety richness of La Turque. Guigal only adds one to the lineup when a vineyard has developed to demonstrate outstanding quality – something borne out by the repeated 100-point scores that each of the first three La Las has earned from the world’s most respected critics. La Landonne was originally planted by Marcel to celebrate Philippe’s birth – a tradition Philippe continued when his own sons were born, planting La Reynarde.

Collectively, they form the essence of Côte-Rôtie, and are some of the most famous, highly-rated and sought-after wines not only in the North Rhône but the whole of France.

For  a deeper dive into all things Guigal, find a superb interview with Philippe produced by Guy Woodward for 67 Pall Mall here.