Guigal Gigondas 2001

A medium to full-bodied red wine, the 2001 Guigal Gigondas exhibits as much charm as vigor. Built along the lines of one of Marcel Guigal’s now legendary Châteauneuf-du-Papes, this Gigondas possesses a rich ruby/purple robe and deep down scents of kirsch and crème de cassis, which follow through to the palate. In the mouth, a core of tightly wound black fruits lies wrapped within silky tannins and a restrained sophisticated cachet of cedar and spice. More elegant than most Gigondas, the 2001 Guigal offering is happily devoid of overt rusticity, which can dominate some of the more traditional wines of Gigondas. But make no mistake about it, the seamless 2001 Guigal Gigondas is no lightweight; it will continue to unfold with additional time in bottle or with extensive aeration. As with all quality Rhône offerings, we suggest serving this wine cool, somewhere between cellar and room temperature, but certainly no more than 68° F.

One of the delights of high quality Rhône wine is its versatility with food, and the 2001 Guigal is no exception. Whether it is served with red meat or white, a flavorful stew or a rich lentil or bean dish, you can count on the Guigal Gigondas to add to the occasion, providing the spice and accompanying sauce are not overwhelming. Some of our favorite pairings with this wine include a roast chicken basted with cream, herb and giblet stuffing or a thick savory beef stew. Cassoulet, sausage and beans, steak au poivre, and a carefully prepared leg of lamb provide other memorable moments with Guigal’s latest hit. We also think classic Italian favorites shine equally well with Gigondas and that includes everything from painstaking Piedmontese risottos to the tomato laden classics of southern Italy, so enjoy this Guigal Gigondas as you like it!

Marcel Guigal has rightly been called everything from “the man with the Midas touch” to “the planet’s greatest living winemaker.” And indeed his wines deserve the accolades and adulation heaped upon them. Unquestionably, Guigal has earned the reputation for fashioning some of the Rhône’s most compelling wines, as the favorable reviews and critical acclaims for his most recent success, the 2001 Gigondas, attest. However, even more impressive is perhaps Guigal’s knack for consistency. Without fail, Guigal’s wines, whether they are red, white or rose, are at the top of the charts in both good years and bad. Moreover, each of Guigal’s many fine Rhône offerings has become the yardstick by which all others are judged in their respective appellations. From the antique village of Ampuis, the birthplace of the great Côte-Rôtie appellation, the burgeoning wine empire of Marcel Guigal has spread to every significant appellation in the Rhône Valley. Led by Marcel and his adept son and protégé, Philippe, the Guigals have sown success and quality far and wide, forcing less quality minded producers to improve their wines or perish. Among this property’s top offerings are several outstanding Côte-Rôtie, benchmark Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas, and the most consistently fine Côtes du Rhône and Viogniers produced. Moreover, all of Guigal’s own grapes are organically grown and minimal interventional methods are used in the making of the domain’s wines.