Guigal Hermitage 2017

Guigal Hermitage 2017 is a 100% Syrah from Northern Rhône's iconic Hermitage hill, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Aged 30–36 months in barrels coopered exclusively by the Guigal family — with 50% new oak — and bottled without fining or filtration, this is a structured, cellar-worthy red that has drawn praise from critics including Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Advocate for its depth of fruit and savory complexity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Hermitage, Northern Rhône Valley, France  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Producer: E. Guigal, Ampuis

Production & Heritage

E. Guigal was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the village of Ampuis, at the heart of the Northern Rhône. Now one of the most recognized names in French winemaking, the house remains family-owned and is currently led by Philippe Guigal, the third generation. For the Hermitage rouge, hand-picked Syrah grapes undergo approximately three weeks of fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats before being transferred to oak barrels — 50% new — that are made in Guigal's own cooperage, a rarity among Rhône producers. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the full expression of the vintage and terroir.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with red berries, delicate oak, and warm spice before revealing deeper layers of blackcurrant buds, smoked meat, and vanilla. There is a brooding intensity that unfolds gradually in the glass.

Taste: On the palate, the wine enters with concentrated red and dark fruit — blackcurrant and black raspberry dominate — before a mid-palate surge of licorice, earthy minerality, and exotic spice. The tannic structure is powerful and firmly knit, underscoring the wine's serious aging potential.

Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering spicy licorice, singed leather, and a subtle meatiness that recalls Northern Rhône Syrah at its most complete. The oak integrates tightly, leaving a clean, structured impression well after the final sip.

How to Drink Guigal Hermitage

This wine is best served slightly below room temperature, around 16–18°C (61–64°F), and benefits significantly from decanting for at least an hour before drinking. Given its tannic backbone and concentration, neat in a large-bowled Burgundy glass is the ideal serve. While primarily a wine for the table rather than the cocktail bar, it pairs exceptionally well with food: grilled lamb shoulder, where the wine's smokiness complements charred meat; slow-braised beef cheeks, which mirror its earthy depth; and aged hard cheeses such as Comté, whose nutty richness balances the wine's tannins.

Best For

• Cellaring for long-term aging — drinking window extends 10–15 years from vintage
• Gifting a serious Rhône wine collector or Francophile
• Anchoring a multi-course dinner centered on red meat or game
• Adding a benchmark Northern Rhône Syrah to a developing wine collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Guigal Hermitage taste like? Guigal Hermitage 2017 delivers concentrated blackcurrant, smoked meat, licorice, and warm spice, supported by powerful tannins and an earthy mineral backbone. It is a full-bodied, deeply structured Syrah built for aging.

How does Guigal Hermitage compare to Chapoutier Hermitage? Both are benchmark Hermitage producers, but Guigal's house style leans into extended oak aging using proprietary cooperage with 50% new barrels, yielding a more sumptuous, oak-inflected profile. Chapoutier, a biodynamic estate, generally emphasizes a more mineral-driven, terroir-forward expression of the hill.

Is Guigal Hermitage good for drinking now? The 2017 can be enjoyed now with extended decanting, but its dense tannic structure and concentration suggest it will reward patience — Wine Advocate recommends a drinking window of 10–15 years from the vintage.

Where is Guigal Hermitage made? Guigal Hermitage is produced by E. Guigal, based in Ampuis in France's Northern Rhône Valley, from Syrah grown on the Hermitage hill in the commune of Tain-l'Hermitage. The appellation sits along the left bank of the Rhône River and is one of France's most celebrated sites for Syrah.

What foods pair well with Guigal Hermitage? Grilled or braised lamb works beautifully with the wine's smoky, spiced character. Slow-cooked venison stew complements its earthy depth. Aged Comté or Gruyère echo the wine's savory complexity. Duck confit mirrors its richness, and black olive tapenade alongside roasted vegetables highlights its herbal, peppery undertones.

What sizes does Guigal Hermitage come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed format for this wine.

Is Guigal Hermitage worth the price? Guigal Hermitage positions as a premium Northern Rhône Syrah from one of the appellation's most storied producers. Considering its 30–36 months of barrel aging in proprietary cooperage, unfiltered bottling, and demonstrated aging potential, it represents serious value within the upper tier of Hermitage wines.

Why Guigal Hermitage?

What separates this wine from most Hermitage bottlings is Guigal's insistence on coopering their own barrels — a practice virtually unique in the Rhône Valley — ensuring complete control over the oak influence in every vintage. The 2017 was bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the raw character of a warm but balanced Northern Rhône vintage. Critics have consistently noted its combination of power and aromatic complexity, with Jeb Dunnuck highlighting a "killer nose of blackcurrants, black raspberries, smoked meats" and Wine Advocate pointing to its substantial aging potential. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking benchmark Hermitage Syrah from a family estate with nearly eight decades of history, this bottling delivers on provenance, craft, and cellar-worthiness.