2018 Chateau de Nalys Saintes Pierres de Nalys Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Valley 750 ml

Nothing says world-class wine or sends collectors into a frenzy like the name Guigal. Their Northern Rhône bottlings are the stuff of legend, and Wine Advocate calls them “the modern world’s greatest testament to a family-run winery.” 

Although they are best known worldwide for their Northern Rhône wines—they have minted over TWENTY 100-point wines from their stronghold in Côte-Rotie—the Guigals have crafted excellent Châteauneuf since 1946, while using fruit sourced from local growers. But for seven decades, their own estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape eluded them. That was until an intensive 20-year search by second- and third-generation vintners Marcel and Philippe Guigal led the family to stake their Southern Rhône fortunes on Château de Nalys. 

The limitless potential of the terroir makes this property special, and it fits right into the Guigal tradition of stratospheric quality. Located in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, Nalys features 120 acres spread over three unique vineyard plots, including one in La Crau, the renowned Châteauneuf terroir closely associated with Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Because of the varied terroir of the estate, all 13 grape varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape have thrived at Nalys for four centuries.

Made from equal proportions of grapes from the Château’s three plots, the 2018’s blend is dominated by Grenache and Syrah, along with small amounts of Cinsault, Muscardin, Counoise and Mourvèdre. Aged mostly in stainless-steel tanks, the 2018 Saintes Pierres is pure, unadulterated Châteauneuf pleasure from one of the most respected names in the world of wine.

It’s simply impossible to imagine the Guigal family, now with their own outpost in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, doing anything other than elevating Château de Nalys to the absolute pinnacle of the region.