Guigal Saint-Joseph Vignes de l’Hospice 2020

Guigal’s Vignes de l’Hospice is one of the finest sites in the Northern Rhone Valley. This steeply terraced vineyard used to be divided into three, but Guigal now owns majority of this parcel in order to restore perception of Saint-Joseph as an appellation of utmost quality. In fact, Guigal is often asked when they will produce a fourth “LaLa,” and their response is that their fourth single vineyard phenomenon of the Northern Rhone is already being produced: the Vignes de l’Hospice.

This 100% Syrah wine is sourced from an extremely steep vineyard, planted on slopes of granite with vines averaging 20-80 years old. The site was previously separated and owned by Domaines Jean-Louis Grippat and Vallouit. Since acquiring the land, the Guigals have worked tirelessly to preserve the walls of the vineyard and to carry on the history and tradition of this land as a beacon of quality. Through this commitment to quality, this vineyard is the most impressive and exclusive hillside of the appellation.

Guigal vinifies this 100% Syrah wine in the same fashion as their Côte Rôtie crus and Ermitage Ex Voto, in stainless steel temperature controlled vats with traditional pumpovers. The wine is then aged for 30 months in 100% new oak barrels, clarified by racking only, and bottled unfiltered.

2020 was another drought year in the Northern Rhône, with a warmer than average winter and early budbreak, and despite some rain during this time, the rainfall total for the North was the lowest in 30 or more years. The heat continued through the summer, but without the spikes seen in 2019, and the maturation and development of the crop was even, if rather early.

A deep red in color, the nose is presented with complex aromas that are dominated by black fruit and delicate oak sensations. Overall, the nose is pure and intense. The palate transitions with a powerful attack of round and elegant tannins. 

Originating from a geological formation similar to the famous Bessards slopes in Hermitage, this Saint-Joseph has all the finess of the appellation and the strength of its neighbour accross the river.