Guigal Côte Rôtie AC Brune et Blonde de

This rich, balanced, sustainable, and fruity wine shines ruby red with a hint of violet reflections in the glass. The nose is enchanted by a subtle bouquet of cherry and plum, along with juicy berries, complemented by light roasted aromas of coffee and chocolate. Velvety tannins and a harmonious, full-bodied, and quite soft palate structure integrate the precise fruit aromas, while a touch of pepper and vanilla melds with slight animalistic aspects. It is a perfect companion for all kinds of meat dishes, whether with cream or gravy sauces, and also pairs well with Asian dishes, vegetables, mushrooms, risotto, and pasta. It doesn't get much more unusual than this - nor more brilliant. Philippe Guigal, a highly talented oenologist, runs the winery founded by his grandfather Etienne in 1946 in the Côtes du Rhône. Everything here is extraordinary: the location on the steep slopes with their carved terraces and the barren soils, from which the vines draw water from as deep as 15 meters. The Guigals always extract the maximum from the grape material and terroir, which is reflected in the quality of their small quantities. The aging takes place in barrels from their own cooperage. For these wines, they achieve top prices: vineyard wines like La Mouline and La Turque are sold for up to 700 francs. Guigal is the winery with the most wines awarded 100 points by Robert Parker. The Rhône is very significant for viticulture; it connects four very different wine-growing regions in terms of climate, topography, and grape varieties: the southern and northern Rhône, the area in the middle around the tributary Drôme, and the area east of the southern Rhône. In the north, there is a continental climate with harsh winters and hot summers. Here, almost only Syrah, the only approved red grape variety, and the white Viognier are cultivated. In the south, there is a Mediterranean climate, and most wines are blends of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre.