E. Guigal : Château de Nalys "Saintes Pierres de Nalys" 2021

Tasting Notes and Characteristics of Château de Nalys "Saintes Pierres de Nalys" 2021 by E. Guigal

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a brilliant clarity, perfectly reflecting its youth and purity.

Nose
The bouquet reveals subtle notes of stone fruits, accompanied by delicate floral touches. The whole is underscored by a beautiful mineral salinity and evocative nuances of garrigue.

Palate
The palate offers a silky texture and perfectly balanced freshness. The refreshing acidity supports mineral flavours and light spicy notes, leading to a long and persistent finish.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs harmoniously with dishes that showcase vegetables, such as preparations based on aubergines and olive oil. It also wonderfully complements mushroom risotto or aged cheeses such as Comté or sheep's milk cheese.

Serving and cellaring

Château de Nalys "Saintes Pierres de Nalys" 2021 can be enjoyed now, but will continue to develop in the cellar and may be drunk until around 2029, with a potential extending to 2035 under excellent storage conditions.

The mineral and elegant expression of a white wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

Founded in 1946, the E. Guigal House is a key figure in the Rhône Valley. Now led by Philippe Guigal and his father Marcel, the family upholds a rigorous pursuit of quality. Historically established in the north, the estate extended its expertise to the south with the acquisition of the Nalys domaine in 2017. This historic site, whose origins date back to the late sixteenth century, benefits from the expertise of its current owners, who apply their philosophy of respect for the environment and terroirs.

The vineyard

Located within the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, the vineyard dedicated to this cuvée draws on vines growing across four exceptional terroirs: "Nalys" (30%), "Bois Sénéchal" (50%), "La Crau" (10%) and "Le Piedlong" (10%). These emblematic plots combine red sandstone, sandy soils and the famous rolled pebbles. Committed to a strong environmental approach, the estate is certified High Environmental Value and is pursuing its transition to organic farming.

The vintage

The 2021 year was marked by a hot and dry climate. The vegetative cycle endured significant thermal stress as well as a lack of water during the summer season. Despite these demanding weather conditions, the vines drew on their reserves to deliver berries of excellent quality and remarkable concentration.

Vinification and ageing

The harvest for Château de Nalys "Saintes Pierres de Nalys" 2024 is carried out manually with rigorous sorting. Pressing is gentle, followed by temperature-controlled vinification to preserve the aromatic purity and freshness of the berries. Ageing takes place mainly in stainless steel tanks, with a proportion of 20% in oak barrels and demi-muids to bring complexity without masking the brightness of the fruit.

Grape varieties

Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picardan, Picpoul and Roussanne.