($14, Vintus): Guigal, more than anyone, is responsible for catapulting Rhône wines from a cult following in the 1980s to their now extraordinary widespread popularity.  Guigal is, of course, famous for their single vineyard bottlings of Côte Rôtie wines, La Mouline, La Landonne and La Turque, which now are highly allocated and sell for hundreds of dollars a bottle upon release.  (To put the rocket-like rise of popularity of Rhone wines into perspective, La Mouline and La Landonne sold for less than $20 a bottle in the early 1980s.)  For me, what’s most amazing about Guigal is how they consistently produce such a high quality bargain-priced lowly Côtes du Rhône.  There’s nothing complicated about Guigal’s 2011.  This mid-weight wine is just a perfect mix of spicy, meaty and fruity flavors that delivers far more enjoyment than the price suggests.  Buy a case for grilling burgers this summer.  I just did.
90 Michael Apstein May 5, 2015