Guigal - Hermitage Rouge 2020

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Looking like another solid vintage for this wine, Guigal's 2020 Hermitage boasts meaty, herb-laced aromas, plus plenty of berry fruit. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, it's concentrated and long on the finish.

It was the start of the last full day of my 2021 Rhône trip when I pulled into the parking lot at Guigal around 9:30 a.m. Reminder: Always dress warmly when tasting at Guigal, because the cellars are a few degrees cooler than average! The cool temperatures help inhibit the growth of any spoilage organisms during the extended élevage these wines receive.

While the stars of the cellars are the single-vineyard wines from Côte-Rôtie, the Guigal family takes pride in all of the wines they produce, and one reliable indicator of the quality of a Southern Rhône vintage is the quality and volume produced of the négoce Côtes du Rhône, which is typically around 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. The 2018 is charming and fruit-forward, while the 2019 looks to be slightly more concentrated. The family's relationships in Gigondas go back before the elevation of that appellation to cru status in 1971, so that is another reliable southern offering from the négociant side of the business.

In the Northern Rhône, the large-scale bottlings from Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie are consistent performers and widely distributed. As they will be many consumers' introduction to these appellations, it's important they remain of high quality, vintage after vintage. The so-called La Las really require no introduction, except to mention that a new La La is being contemplated—a steep, two-hectare parcel within the Fongeant lieu-dit was vinified separately in 2019 and 2020. I was able to taste some impressive barrel samples, but as those wines will not be bottled separately, I've not scored them or added them to the database. Philippe Guigal was hopeful that the new wine—tentatively named La Renarde—would be ready to make a formal debut beginning with the 2022 vintage.

Value-oriented consumers who still want a taste of Northern Rhône Syrah will want to focus on the family's négoce bottlings from Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph. While the Crozes is normally a fruit-forward, easy-drinking wine, the 2019 version boasts a bit more concentration than usual, while the 2018 and 2019 St-Joes both deliver ripe fruit and hints of granitic austerity. The Lieu-Dit Saint-Joseph and Vignes de l'Hospice bottlings ratchet up the intensity of both oak and terroir, but prices for those are rising rapidly, as consumers have caught on to the value they represent.

As a side note, my tastings at Guigal's cellars in Ampuis included wines from the family's estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château de Nalys, but I've chosen to include those reviews in my Southern Rhône coverage, slated to appear in the next few weeks.

Jeb Dunnuck

Now from bottle, the 2020 Crozes-Hermitage showed nicely, with the juicy, forward, elegant style of the vintage. Ripe blackberries, game, violets, and hints of pepper all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, has a pretty, silky, elegant mouthfeel, soft tannins, and a great finish. It's a classic, balanced, incredibly satisfying Crozes Hermitage to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years.

James Suckling

Complex nose of pomegranates, summer flowers and sweet black berries. A very rich wine with a roasted character and fruit that's almost overripe. However, the generous and healthy tannins keep this on track right through the long finish. Matured in 50% new oak and 50% used small barrels for two years. Drink or hold.

Wine Spectator

Vinum Wine Magazine