Vivian Liang | March 24, 2020
'La Las' - Château d’Ampuis - Ex Voto
Syrah, to me, is one of the greatest and most intoxicating red grapes of the world with its historical home on fabled slopes of the northern Rhône. Of course, one of the first things that springs to mind when I think of Syrah is Côte-Rôtie, followed by the name that is intrinsically linked to the region: Maison Etienne Guigal.
From a small estate founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the village of Ampuis, the maison is now a Rhône powerhouse making some of the world’s most sought after wines. In particular are those from the famed ‘La La’ single vineyards - La Mouline, La Turque, La Landonne. These are some of the most flamboyant, complex and profound wines coming from Côte-Rôtie, each with varying degrees of viognier and unique identities coming from the distinct terroirs. La Landonne is the biggest and deepest wine of the trio, a wine that deserves patience to reveal its true characters – intense, perfumed and voluptuous. La Turque is less powerful than La Landonne, but just as aromatic and compelling. Lastly, La Mouline has a larger proportion of Viognier that makes this wine particularly scented and is the most open in its youth among the three.
Produced from seven outstanding plots in Côte-Rôtie, Château d’Ampuis is a classic wine that expresses the essence of the area. It shows off notes of aromatic black fruit and spice and is full-bodied with silky tannins and elegance. This wine offers amazing value.
In addition to these icons, Guigal also makes the deep and powerful ‘Ex Voto’, which has quickly become a benchmark for the Hermitage appellation. Made only in exceptional vintages, Guigal Ex Voto rouge is a stunning wine with polished tannins, layers of ripe black fruit, spice and minerality. Rich and deep, this wine is made from 100% Syrah with ample ageing potential.
We are pleased to showcase the diversity and greatness of the Guigal wines here. Should you need more information or advice about the wines, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
