2010 - Saint-Joseph Vignes de l'Hospice, E. Guigal

Giving up more graphite and spice, with serious minerality in its cassis, licorice, toast and smoked meat-like aromatics, the 2010 Saint Joseph Vignes des Hospice is a serious, age-worthy effort that needs another handful of years to truly shine. Full-bodied, concentrated and structured, with sweet tannin, it’s rock-star stuff that will have two decades of longevity. One of the reference point estates for top quality wines in the world today, the family run Guigal operation was created in 1946 by Etienne Guigal. Today, Etienne’s son, Marcel, and his son Philippe, are firmly in control here, and are without a doubt producing some of the most singular, sought after wines in the world. Due to the size of this tasting, I’ll keep my comments short, but the incredible quality coming from this operation is astounding, and a tasting here is always one of the highlights of any trip through the region. Furthermore, while a lot is said about the extended oak aging regime here, I don’t know anyone who tastes mature examples of these wines on a regular basis that still has any doubts about the genius going on here. In short, these single vineyard (and their blends as well) Cote Roties are some of the greatest wines money can buy. For this tasting (which, with the Guigals, is always a large one!), we focused on their Saint Joseph Vignes des Hospice release, and then three of their Cote Roties, starting with the classic Brune et Blonde, then the Chateau d’Ampuis, and finishing with their single vineyard La Mouline. Looking first at their Saint Joseph Vignes des Hospices release, it comes all from the incredibly steep (and picturesque) vineyard perched just above the town of Tournon. The exposure here (which is critical for Saint Joseph as the more southern facing the plot, the warmer the site is) is mostly east facing and the soils are pure granite (identical to the decomposed granite found in the Les Bessards lieu-dit on Hermitage Hills). Compared to the Saint Joseph lieu-dit

Opaque ruby. Powerful blackberry and cherry liqueur aromas pick up suave floral and spicecake nuances with air, along with a touch of smokiness. Rich, chewy and broad, with concentrated blackberry and cassis flavors energized by juicy acidity. Finishes smooth and sweet, with velvety tannins and a strong kick of peppery spices and minerals.