E. Guigal : Château de Nalys 2019

Characteristics and tasting notes of Château de Nalys 2019

Tasting notes

Appearance

The wine reveals a deep garnet hue, dark and dense, enhanced by luminous ruby highlights.

Nose

Intense and complex, the nose opens with generous aromas of black and red fruits, reminiscent of cherry compote and blackcurrant, mingled with notes of dried fig. It then evolves towards mineral nuances, peppery garrigue, incense, lavender and sweet spices.

Palate

Ample and dense, the palate offers a silky texture supported by fine, perfectly integrated tannins. It reveals savoury notes of ripe plum, black cherry, roasted herbs and liquorice, enhanced by subtle hints of cocoa and smoked meat. The finish is remarkably long, lingering and delicately spiced.

Food and wine pairing

This great red wine will pair wonderfully with characterful meats, such as game in sauce, a grilled cut of beef or slow-cooked dishes with Provençal herbs.

Serving and ageing

Endowed with exceptional ageing potential, this Château de Nalys 2019 can be enjoyed now after prior aeration, and will continue to evolve favourably to be savoured until around 2040.

The refinement and richness of a great red wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

Founded in 1946 by Étienne Guigal in Ampuis, the E. Guigal House is a true institution of the Rhône Valley. Now led by Philippe Guigal, representing the third generation, the estate perpetuates an unwavering quest for 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 southwards, combining its technical know-how with exceptional terroirs to produce wines that blend power and refinement.

The vineyard

Château de Nalys, located within the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, extends over 75 hectares of vines at around 130 metres in altitude, between Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail, an advantage for limiting alcohol levels in the face of global warming. Its vineyard is divided into several plots with varied soils: sand and sandstone (Nalys), pebbles and clay (Bois Sénéchal), the emblematic rolled stones (La Crau), a 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 parcels.
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.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage began with a dry spring, followed by a moderate summer punctuated by three heat peaks. These weather conditions allowed optimal phenolic ripeness of the berries to be achieved while preserving a fine natural acidity. The harvest took place in mid-September, yielding grapes of exceptional quality, perfectly balanced between richness and freshness.

Vinification and ageing

After rigorous manual sorting, the vinification of Château de Nalys 2019 takes place in traditional truncated wooden vats. Fermentation extends over four to five weeks under controlled temperatures in order to gently extract the aromas and colour. Ageing then lasts twenty-four months, with 70% in concrete vats to preserve the purity of the fruit, and 30% in wood, including foudres and barrels, with a small proportion of new oak, thus bringing complexity without masking the identity of the wine.

Grape varieties

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre.