LIFE FROM STONE
The Guigal name is synonymous with the Northern Rhône, and with Côte-Rôtie in particular. But father and son Marcel and Philippe Guigal have always had an eye on the Southern Rhône, and after a 20-year search, the Guigals purchased Domaine de Nalys in 2017. The renamed 131-acre estate, whose history dates to the 17th century, features three large blocks of vines neighboring Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Château Rayas, Château de Vaudieu and Domaine de la Charbonnière. The 2018 vintage is the first under the control of the Guigal family, and Philippe has made some changes. Among them is harvesting by vine age rather than strictly by parcel, using smaller vats to accommodate smaller vinification lots, and extending the élevage to upwards of 20 months. The 2018 is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Muscardin.
2018 Château de Nalys – Grand Vin – Châteauneuf-du-Pape. $124.95 per bottle – six packs.
95 Points Wine Spectator – Ranked #10, Top 100 Wines of 2021
“A bright savory note leads off this red, followed quickly by sanguine and bay leaf accents, all melding nicely with the core of steeped blackberry, raspberry and plum fruit flavors as they move through the rich, licorice root–tinged finish. Best from 2022 through 2035.”
“Red and blue fruit, garrigue, pungent floral and exotic spice aromas show fine definition and mineral lift. Juicy black raspberry, boysenberry and candied lavender flavors deepen through the back half, with no loss of energy. Closes with emphatic, spicy thrust on the penetrating finish, which features even tannins and resonating floral and blue fruit notes.” 94 Points Vinous.
