E. Guigal : Château de Nalys "Saintes Pierres de Nalys" 2017

Characteristics and tasting notes of Château de Nalys "Saintes Pierres de Nalys" red 2017 by E. Guigal

Tasting notes

Appearance
The wine displays a deep and vibrant ruby colour.

Nose
Elegant, the nose exudes aromas of ripe red fruits such as cherry and raspberry, intertwined with notes of garrigue, berries, liquorice and leather, all underlined by subtle herbaceous and peppery touches.

Palate
Ample and endowed with supple tannins, the palate offers a superb balance between richness and freshness. Medium to full-bodied, it stretches into a long, delicately peppery finish.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with grilled red meats, particularly lamb with Provençal herbs, poultry, meat dishes in wine sauce, or a platter of aged cheeses. It also goes very well with spicy world cuisine.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve Château de Nalys "Saintes Pierres de Nalys" 2017 at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Accessible from today, this wine can be cellared to reveal its full potential until around 2035.

Other characteristics

Conceived as the estate's second wine, this cuvée highlights the accessibility and freshness of the fruit. Furthermore, yields this year were particularly low, standing at around 35 hectolitres per hectare.

The elegance and freshness of a red wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

Founded in 1946 by Étienne Guigal, the E. Guigal House is a true institution of the Rhône Valley. Initially recognised for its excellence in the north of the region, the family fulfilled a three-generation dream by acquiring Château de Nalys in July 2017. Now led by Philippe Guigal, representing the third generation, the property extends over a single-block vineyard of 124 acres. Certified High Environmental Value Level III, the estate perpetuates exceptional craftsmanship, notably illustrated by its own artisanal cooperage.

The vineyard

The estate's vineyard spans three emblematic terroirs of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation: La Crau, famous for its rolled pebbles storing heat, Bois Sénéchal with its sandier soils arranged in terraces, and the Nalys sector (Grande Pierre) composed of red sandstone and sandy clay. Cultivated according to the principles of organic farming, the vines, averaging 45 years old, benefit from deep rooting. Remarkably, the property cultivates the thirteen historic grape varieties permitted in the appellation.

The vintage

The year 2017 began with a particularly dry winter, followed by a very wet spring that disrupted flowering, leading to a drastic drop in yields. Fortunately, the summer season proved stable and dry. Ideal autumn conditions then allowed the berries to reach perfect phenolic ripeness before the harvest was carried out under a favourable sky at the end of September.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and in the cellar. In order to preserve the brightness of the fruit and freshness, the vinification and maceration of Château de Nalys "Saintes Pierres de Nalys" 2017 take place entirely in stainless steel tanks and in large wooden foudres. Ageing then extends over a period of 18 months, deliberately limiting the woody imprint.

Grape varieties

69% grenache, 20% syrah, 5% cinsault, 4% muscardin, 1% counoise, 1% mourvèdre.