# Saint-Joseph "Vignes de l'Hospice" (2020)

- **Producer:** E. Guigal
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €85
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, black pepper, violet, vanilla, cedar, smoke, toast, cloves, leather, tobacco, game

## About this wine

The 'Vignes de l'Hospice' is a flagship cuvée from the historic Northern Rhône producer E. Guigal. Sourced from an exceptional, steeply terraced vineyard overlooking the town of Tournon-sur-Rhône, this site was historically owned by the local hospice before being acquired and meticulously restored by the Guigal family. The vineyard sits directly across the river from the legendary Hermitage hill, sharing a similar geological pedigree. This wine represents the pinnacle of the Saint-Joseph appellation, showcasing the power, elegance, and longevity that the region's granite soils can impart to the Syrah grape.

## Interesting facts

- The vineyard features slopes of up to 45 degrees, making any mechanical work completely impossible.
- Geologically, the decomposed granite soil of this vineyard is identical to the famous 'Les Bessards' climat in Hermitage.
- The vineyard was historically owned by the hospital of Tournon before being acquired by Guigal in 2001.

## Food pairing

The high tannin structure, full body, and pronounced intensity of this Northern Rhône Syrah require rich, protein-heavy dishes to soften the tannins on the palate. The wine's natural acidity and black pepper notes beautifully complement roasted herbs, earthy mushrooms, and rich, savory reductions.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for this cuvée is highly traditional yet precise. Due to the extreme steepness of the terraced slopes, all harvesting is performed entirely by hand. The grapes undergo temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats, followed by a long maceration period to extract deep color and structured tannins. The wine is then aged for 30 months in 100% new French oak barrels in the cellars of Château d'Ampuis, a signature maturation technique of the Guigal estate that integrates the oak seamlessly over time.