Community Tasting Note
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COWineLover wrote: 93 points
September 22, 2023 - First bottle of a half-case that was opened to sample before deciding to gift a bottle. I was apprehensive after a recent experience with the 2015 Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde. The apprehension was misplaced as the wines are very different, and this bottle demonstrated Guigal Hermitage is a winning vintage for 2015.
Opaque with no bricking. The wine was aromatically generous upon opening. No decant. Allowed the first glass about 60 minutes of aeration. Lots of smoked meats, garrigue, violet and lilac, iodine, and only a faint whiff of alcohol. On the palate this has a vigorous burst of acidic lift on the attack, followed by the chewy tannins coating the black fruits, grilled meat, iron, pepper, herb de Provence, and iodine. Fine length with a savory chewiness that is persistent though not overbearing. There is a finesse here that glides along effortlessly from attack to finish with great weight and balance. An excellent combination of smoked meats, black fruits, herbs and minerality.
Enjoyable now, yet this has plenty of vigor and complexity for a lengthy drinking window. Drink now through 2035.
Day 2 - Half the bottle was stored overnight in the refrigerator. Aromatically retains the lavender and garrigue aromas from day one with some incense peeking through. On the palate this is showing more tannic density, but the savory herb qualities and the black fruits make it a pleasant palate experience. The mineral qualities from day one persist on the finish with a chewy tannic length that really hangs on. This did not lose any vigor or appeal from day one and the overnight evolution demonstrates this wine has good length in the cellar. If you have a small collection, I would strongly recommend you open a bottle of this and enjoy it.3 people found this helpful 1,119 views