2004 Hermitage

The big news at Guigal this year was the recent acquisition of a half hectare of vines in Condrieu's prized Chery vineyard. In the 2008 vintage this fruit will go into Guigal's La Doriane bottling, and Philippe Guigal believes it will add an extra dimension of finesse to the wine. On the subject of reds, Guigal describes 2007 as "a rich, generous vintage that will be approachable young but has the depth and balance to age. " He added that the 2005s will need at least as much time as the 1978s. "I can't imagine them giving much pleasure before they are at least a decade old. " The 2006s, he reiterated, "will be long-lived, which might surprise people who are seduced by all their fruit right now. " The grapes for this estate's red wines have only been completely destemmed once, in 2002, which no doubt contributes to their complex, intensely spicy bouquets. Incidentally, 2004 was the first vintage in which the Guigals used only their own house-made barriques. (Ex-Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA) Also recommended: 2007 Cotes du Rhone Blanc (87), 2007 Cotes du Rhone Rose (86), 2007 Tavel Rose (87).