Cellar It$90-110

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde 2020

The next step up the Guigal ladder — and the bridge to understanding why Northern Rhône Syrah is different from everything else.

Producer

E. Guigal

Region

Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhône, France

Varietal

Syrah (96%), Viognier (4%)

Vintage

2020

Beckett Stone

2026-04-11

The Short Take

E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde is the estate's entry into one of France's greatest appellations, named for the two hillsides of Côte-Rôtie. Smoky bacon, ripe cherry, blueberry, pencil shavings, cured meat, and licorice. Aged 36 months in oak. The stepping stone toward Guigal's mythical La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque. Will age 15-20 years.

If the Guigal Côtes du Rhône is the gateway, this is what waits on the other side. Brune et Blonde is named for the two hillsides of Côte-Rôtie — Brune for the darker clay soils, Blonde for the lighter granite. The wine blends fruit from both, and the result is Northern Rhône Syrah in its purest expression. Smoky grilled bacon, ripe cherries, blueberries. Pencil shavings, cured meat, licorice. Medium to full body with an elegant wash of silky tannins. 36 months in oak — 50% new — gives it structure that will carry it for 15-20 years. This is the bridge between the everyday Guigal and the mythical single-vineyard wines — La Mouline, La Landonne, La Turque. If you love the Côtes du Rhône, this is where you go next. If you are building a cellar with Northern Rhône in it, this is where you start.

Pairs With

Grilled lamb with rosemary, duck cassoulet, venison loin, aged hard cheeses.