Guigal SA
E. Guigal, Château d'Ampuis, Côte-Rôtie AOC
2020
About this winery
See the Guigal SA detail page for more information on this brand
Product notes
Château d’Ampuis, crafted by E. Guigal, is a true treasure of the northern Rhône Valley. Located in the Côte-Rôtie appellation, on the right bank of the Rhône River, it embodies the excellence of a great terroir-driven wine. The vines are rooted in schist soils rich in minerals, offering excellent drainage and enjoying predominantly south and southeast exposure. This steep landscape, shaped into dramatic terraces, benefits from a unique microclimate, ideal for Syrah, the region’s flagship grape, complemented by a touch of Viognier, in the traditional Côte-Rôtie style. This exceptional wine is the result of blending seven historic terroirs of Côte-Rôtie: Le Clos, La Garde, La Grande Plantée, La Pommière, Le Pavillon Rouge, Le Moulin, and La Viria. These lieux-dits, spread across both the Brune and Blonde slopes, each contribute their own identity, finesse, and power, culminating in a wine of remarkable complexity, worthy of the greatest vinous treasures of the Rhône.
Production notes
Harvesting is done manually, with careful parcel-by-parcel selection to retain only perfectly ripe grapes. Each terroir is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, preserving the unique identity of each site. The alcoholic fermentation is accompanied by regular pump-overs and punch-downs, ensuring a controlled extraction of color, tannins, and aromas. Maceration is long, lasting up to four weeks, to bring depth and structure to the wine. Ageing is one of the estate’s hallmarks: the wine is matured for approximately 38 months in new oak barrels, crafted in Guigal’s own cooperage. No fining or filtration is performed prior to bottling, in order to preserve the wine’s full authenticity and richness.
Tasting notes
The Château d’Ampuis by E. Guigal reveals a deep red robe with violet reflections, indicating its excellent concentration. The nose is expressive and complex, offering aromas of ripe black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, enriched with spicy notes, violet, graphite, and noble wood. On the palate, the wine is ample, structured, and silky, with fine and elegant tannins and a long finish marked by zesty tones and beautiful freshness. This great wine pairs ideally with red meats, game, and aged cheeses. For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve between 16°C and 18°C