2023 E Guigal Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge, Northern Rhone

Based on 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2023 Côtes du Rhône reveals beautiful blackberries, red berries, peppery herbs, and violets. Medium-bodied and supple on the palate, it has a round, charming texture and beautiful balance. Brought up partially in foudres, this pleasure-bent effort will shine over the coming 5-7 years.

91 points Jeb Dunnuck

Guigal’s Côtes du Rhône Rouge has long been one of the great value introductions to the family behind some of the Rhône’s most celebrated wines. Étienne Guigal founded the domaine in Ampuis in 1946, and today Philippe Guigal represents the third generation. Despite the fame of their Côte Rôtie, Hermitage and Condrieu bottlings, this humble Côtes du Rhône receives serious attention and has become something of a house signature.

Unlike many southern Rhône blends dominated by Grenache, Guigal traditionally gives Syrah a particularly important role here, lending darker fruit, pepper and savoury structure. The remainder is principally Grenache and Mourvèdre, bringing warmth, spice and flesh. The 2023 has plenty of ripe fruit but remains fresh enough to keep everything moving, delivering a lot of Rhône character without demanding either a special occasion or a decade in the cellar.

Deep ruby crimson, opening with blackberry, black cherry and ripe raspberry before violet and cracked black pepper emerge. Liquorice, black olive, thyme and a touch of smoked meat add savoury complexity. The palate is medium bodied and generous, with juicy dark fruit framed by supple tannins. Pepper and olive gather through the middle, while raspberry and dried herbs provide lift before a warm, savoury finish.

Lamb kofta with sumac yoghurt would be excellent, alongside charred chicken with harissa, pork and fennel sausages, smoky eggplant with chickpeas or beef skewers with cumin and sesame. Our pick is the chicken, with plenty of char around the edges and enough harissa to wake everything up.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2032.