E. Guigal : Château de Nalys 2020

Tasting Notes and Characteristics of Château de Nalys 2020

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a deep ruby red colour with dark highlights, reflecting a beautiful concentration.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of small black fruits such as black cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant. With aeration, it reveals a superb complexity with spicy touches evoking garrigue, blended with subtle balsamic, mineral and herbaceous nuances.

Palate
The attack is ample and concentrated, offering a silky texture and tannins of great elegance. The mid-palate, rich and structured, is perfectly balanced by vibrant, fresh acidity. Flavours of ripe black fruits, leather and minerals unfold through to an exceptionally long and persistent finish, enhanced by delicate spicy notes.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs wonderfully with grilled or sauced red meats, such as a cut of beef or herb-crusted lamb. It will also enhance game dishes as well as aged hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Crafted for long evolution, this 2020 vintage can be kept in the cellar for optimal tasting between approximately 2026 and 2033, with a total ageing potential of up to fifteen to twenty years.

A red wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape combining elegance and complexity

The estate

Founded in 1946 by Étienne Guigal in Ampuis, the E. Guigal House is a true institution of the Rhône Valley. Today led by Philippe Guigal, representing the third generation, the estate continues an unwavering pursuit of excellence. In July 2017, the family acquired Château de Nalys, a historic estate whose origins date back to the sixteenth century. With this vineyard of around 77 hectares, the estate extends its expertise to the south, combining its technical know-how with exceptional terroirs to produce wines that unite power and refinement.

The vineyard

Château de Nalys, located within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, stretches over 75 hectares of vines at around 130 m in altitude, between Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail, an advantage in limiting alcohol levels in the face of climate change. Its vineyard is divided into several plots with varied soils: sands and sandstone (Nalys), pebbles and clays (Bois Sénéchal), the emblematic rolled stones (La Crau), clay plateau (Pied Long), and fine sands (Saintes Vierges). These terroirs produce wines ranging from freshness to more sun-drenched, solid and structured profiles, depending on the parcel.
The estate cultivates the 13 authorised grape varieties (up to 18 colour variants), a precious diversity for adjusting blends and maintaining the balance of the wines in the face of the climate.

Vinification and ageing

The harvest is carried out by hand, followed by meticulous sorting. Fermentation takes place in traditional truncated wooden vats, with a maceration of around five weeks. The wine then benefits from 18 months of ageing, two-thirds in large casks and demi-muids, and one-third in classic barrels. The maturing process concludes with a six-month rest in concrete vats before bottling.

Grape varieties

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre.