2002 E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc

Community Tasting Notes (8) Avg Score: 87.2 points

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  5/13/2012 - Spats wrote:

  Found it too late. Still had some palatable feel but nothing enjoyable left.

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  5/22/2006 - rael007 wrote: 87 Points

  This was a delightful surprise. I expected Guigal to have constructed a solid wine, but this was far more assertive, complex, and balanced than I had anticipated. Pale gold, with hints of green. I served this quite cold, near 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as Domaine Guigal recommends. Initially, it gave off sweet, fruity aromas, but was a bit flat. I returned to sample the aroma of the wine several times before drinking (getting dinner on the table for the kids, running to get drinks, napkins --- quotidian but very beneficial functions both for the children and for the wine, it turns out). As I returned, it gave off a little more each time --- soap, earth ... I was perplexed, nothing solid seemed to rise from the mist. On my fourth visit to the wine, still without tasting, I suddenly distinctly discerned the smell of mushroom, more precisely a combination of cream of mushroom soup and gently cooked Chanterelle mushrooms. This impression was present for certain periods throughout the consumption of the wine --- from time to time it would disappear, and I would swirl vigorously to conjure it back to me, succeeding most of the time, but failing in my efforts others. I don't have much of an awareness of my palate yet --- it's still hard for me to pick out among the crowd the discernible, recognizable faces of scents and tastes that come so immediately and easily to more experienced tasters, but as this is advertised as having 50% Viognier, 20% Roussane, 12% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 8% Bourboulenc, and 2% Grenache blanc, I retroactively claim that I swear I could smell and taste the Viognier's oily, piny presence. As it receded from my palate, it seemed to drive off a cliff, cutting short the finish rather abruptly. I don't know if this wine is a bit past it's prime, or if this rather rude de-robing is a proper expression of its character, but I felt this was one of the few faults I could find with the wine. It is listed as 13% alcohol, which perhaps contributed to the precipitous finish.
  
  Regardless, I very much enjoyed this wine, a fine effort from the Guigal family.

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  5/22/2006 - Mike Bates wrote: 87 Points

  Nice light golden color. Apricot, Peach, and Grapefruit on the nose. Smooth finish with good acidity that breaks through for a nice balance. Very nice summer wine!

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  5/8/2006 - AllRed wrote: 88 Points

  Rich tropical fruit notes follow right on through the finish. Very "clean" and certainly refreshing. Vacuvinned and will add on day 2 notes. Held up well, with the tropical fruit flavors still there, though seemingly a bit flabby.

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  2/5/2006 - EricB wrote: 90 Points

  Excellent for the price. Nice and smooth wine, fat but not thick. Good floral tastes with a bit of almond in the middle. Very nice.

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