Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce an extra, extra, extra special 6-course Guigal wine importer dinner featuring a whopping NINE wines from this iconic Rhone producer. Guigal is one of the most notable wine producers in the Rhône Valley. It was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal and has been managed by his son Marcel since 1961. In recent years, Marcel's son Philippe has become the third-generation winemaker/manager there. Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker comments that "In the past 26 years I have spent visiting wineries and vignerons, I have never seen a producer so fanatical about quality as Marcel Guigal.”

In addition to a couple of their entry level Cotes-du-Rhone offerings to start, we’re also featuring lots of their high-end wines including their Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc (“fireplace white” ... more on that later), a couple of Chateauneuf-du-Pape reds side-by-side as well as their high-scoring Hermitage and Cote-Rotie Syrahs. We’ve designed a very interesting French-inspired menu format (see below) where the majority of the courses will be served with two similar wines side-by-side so you can taste and compare the differences. We want this to be a leisurely, unrushed experience so please plan on at least three hours for this dinner. 

Rhone specialist Patrick Will, who worked with Phillipe and Marcel for 25+ years, will be here in person to host this event. Those of you who enjoyed our Guigal take-out dinners in 2020 and 2021 during covid will recognize him from the educational videos that he shot for us that explained all of the sub-appellations and the different varietals grown in each. Although this video is not applicable to this menu or all of the varietals that we’re serving for this dine-in dinner, if you’re interested just to get an overview of the Rhone, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/shPAmC78Hi0

Anyway, we hope to see you here for this amazing dinner paired with these amazing wines! Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested.

NOTE: Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests or extensive menu aberrations.

MENU

Quiche Lorraine | Gruyère | Onion Confit

2022 Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé (3 oz. pour)

Pan Roasted Sea Scallop | Brown Butter Fondue | Capers | Preserved Lemon | Fines Herbes

2022 Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc (2 oz. pour)

  ~ and ~

2020 Guigal “Ch. Nalys: Saintes Pierres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc (2 oz. pour)

Coq au Vin | Wild Mushrooms | Bacon Lardons | Fall Aromatics

2020 Guigal Gigondas (2 oz. pour)

  ~ and ~

2019 Guigal Saint Joseph (2 oz. pour)

Toulouse Sausage | Smoked Ham Hock Beans | Toasted Herbed Breadcrumbs

2018 Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape (2 oz. pour)

  ~ and ~

2019 Guigal “Ch. de Nalys: Saintes Pierres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape (2 oz. pour)

Petite Steak au Poivre | Beef Tallow Frites

2018 Guigal Hermitage (2 oz. pour)

  ~ and ~

2019 Guigal “Chateau d’ Ampuis” Cote-Rotie (2 oz. pour)

Caramel + Sea Salt Pot de Crème

Cuarenta y Tres “Licor 43” Spanish Vanilla Liqueur (1 oz. pour)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RSVP

Please RSVP by clicking on the “Contact the Host” button in the box on the top right and responding with the following information.

1. your cell number and best time to call so we can call you to update your credit card info if necessary

2. how many people are in your party, and

3. answers to the HEAD’S UP questions in the paragraph below if you’re a party of 1 or 2. 

HEAD’S UP

Seating is EXTREMELY limited. We have a very limited number of tables for couples who want to sit by themselves so please let us know if you’re willing to sit at communal tables as that will GREATLY increase your chances of getting in. We also have two firepit tables for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available so let us know if you’re OK with those tables if you want to sit by yourselves. If you’re a party of three or more there won’t be a problem getting your own table. We are currently limiting party sizes to a maximum of six.

LOCATION & PHONE

Wine Vault & Bistro is located in the heart of San Diego between Little Italy and Old Town at 3731-A India Street on the upstairs terrace. Follow the black handrail up the stairs from the sidewalk to our front door. Our phone number is (619) 295-3939.

PARKING

Meters are free after 6:00 so if you park in a metered space just put in enough money (usually under a buck) to get you to 6:00 and then you’ll be home free. Free non-metered on-street parking is also usually available within a 3-block radius. You can also park in the lot behind Shakespeare Pub two doors down, but do not park in El Indio's lot unless you want your car towed! If you can’t find parking next to the restaurant, there’s always LOTS OF PARKING on San Diego Avenue and the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street. So please don't drive yourself crazy endlessly going around in circles waiting to pounce on that perfect spot when there's TONS OF PARKING less than three blocks away! 

WINE SALES

Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase at the restaurant until sold out. We reserve the right to limit sales of any rare or allocated wines at our discretion.

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2022 Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé ~ $17

(France) Winemaker Notes: Clear, brilliant and fresh appearance. Fresh with an expressive nose of red fruits and citrus. Notes of raspberry and redcurrant. On the palate, fruity, fine and round. A well-balanced and elegant wine.

2022 Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc ~ $17

(France) Winemaker Notes: 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc + 2% Grenache Blanc. Yellow gold, clear and brilliant. Freshness on the nose marked by the distinctive aromas of Viognier; white flowers, apricot, acacia and white peach. On the palate it is fruity with plenty of richness and body. A well-rounded wine with elegance, strength and balance. ~~~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 90 points: 55% Viognier + other permitted white varieties. Has a medium-bodied, vibrant, pure style to go with lovely peach and tangerine-like aromas and flavors. Drink this outstanding, classy white over the coming 2-3 years. I never cease to be amazed at the quality of the Côtes du Rhône white from this team, especially given the quantities produced.

2020 Guigal “Ch. Nalys: Saintes Pierres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc ~ $63

(France) Winemaker's Notes: 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc, 5% Picardan + 5% Picpoul and Roussanne. Pale youthful gold in color with an elegant mineral nose with notes of citrus and peach. Rich, fresh, minerally palate with an elegant and balanced finish.

2020 Guigal Gigondas ~ $40

(France) Winemaker Notes: Grenache, Syrah + Mourvèdre. Pretty purple, with an intense nose dominated by stone fruits, licorice and savory garrigue notes. On the palate the wine is generous and elegant, offering cranberry and cherry notes that are accented by hints of clove and allspice. Overall a direct expression, lovely structure, and good tannins, present but supple.

2019 Guigal Saint Joseph ~ $42

(France) Winemaker Notes: Syrah. Dark red with violet tints. Powerful nose dominated by red berries and delicate oak aromas. Powerful attack. Round and supple tannins. ~~~ Review by Vinous ~ 93 points: Dark, brilliant ruby. Pungent black raspberry and cherry aromas are complemented by floral, olive and baking spice nuances. Smooth and expansive on the palate, offering spice-tinged red and blue fruit preserve, licorice and allspice flavors that show fine delineation and mineral lift. Juicy and subtly chewy in texture, finishing with resonating blue fruit and spice character; tannins slowly emerge. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 92 points: Fresh aromas of concentrated red fruit framed by licorice and blackberries, followed by a brambly layer fill the glass. Brooding dark fruit generously coats the palate, balanced by its refreshing cut of acidity. Approachable now, but best to cellar well through 2028+ before revisiting.

2018 Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape ~ $59

(France) Winemaker Notes: 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah + 5% Others. Deep dark red in color with a nose of spices and mature red fruit. The palate shows round tannins with powerful complexity, notes of mature plums, hazelnuts and red fruit. A very rich wine full of harmony and balance. ~~~ Review by Wine Spectator ~ 92 points: Round and softened by time, this wine's bottle aging has brought out softened tobacco notes that layer over cherry and bitter almond skin. Reveals orange peel acidity and cocoa bean on the palate, with campfire and olive tapenade accents. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 92 points: Excellent harmony of full body, moderately dry tannins and richness. The red fruits are now beautifully developed and there's just a hint of tar. A Grenache-based blend that was matured completely in large oak foudre casks.

2019 Guigal “Ch. de Nalys: Saintes Pierres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape ~ $65

(France) Review by Decanter ~ 93 points: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre, 2% Cinsault, 2% Counoise, 1% Terret Noir, 1% Muscardin. Authentic, unforced and easy-going, this has lots to enjoy. It’s approachable but concentrated, well balanced and structured but fruity. A harmonious, complete and satisfying wine. ~~~ Review by Vinous Media ~ 93 points: Intensely perfumed black raspberry and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of candied flowers and baking spices. Stains the palate with juicy, spice-laced red and blue fruit preserve flavors that are lifted and sharpened by a smoky mineral element. At once lively and concentrated, finishing very long and spicy with supple tannins and lingering floral notes. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 93 points: Fruity and ripe with scents of mint, black cherries and purple raspberries. Full-bodied and velvety textured, it finishes with ample length and a touch of licorice. ~~~ Review by Wine Spectator ~ 93 points: Juicy, fresh and inviting in feel, with kirsch and raspberry coulis dotted with garrigue and red tea details that provide nice energy through the minerally finish. Drink now through 2037.

2018 Guigal Hermitage ~ $76

(France) Review by Wine Spectator ~ 94 points: Syrah. Has a showy side with expressive singed vanilla, alder and mocha notes leading the way, followed by plush plum and blackberry compote flavors. The finish pulls in warm earth and iron hints, adding cut and range. Drink now through 2032. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 94 points. Aromas of sliced plums, red licorice, espresso and rosemary. Medium-to full-bodied with velvety tannins. Succulent and clear with lovely black fruit and earthy spice. Broad shouldered but remains elegant. Lovely. ~~~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 94 points: From a great vintage for the Northern Rhône, it has a medium- to full-bodied, concentrated, yet wonderfully elegant profile as well as complex notes of darker fruits, pepper, cured meats and leather. It gets spicier and more nuanced with time in the glass and already offers pleasure, yet it has the structure and balance to benefit from cellaring 15+ years. ~~~ Review by Vinous ~ 94 points: Opaque violet color. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe cherry, dark berry preserves, candied flowers, olives and smoky minerals. Juicy and broad in the mouth, offering spice-tinged bitter cherry, blackberry, licorice and fruitcake flavors that show fine clarity and turn sweeter as the wine opens up. Finishes on an emphatic floral note, displaying strong tenacity, steadily building tannins and reverberating dark berry and spice notes.

2019 Guigal “Chateau d’ Ampuis” Cote-Rotie ~ $152

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: (France) Winemaker's Notes: 93% Syrah + 7% Viognier. The hallmark of Château d’Ampuis is an unbelievably seductive perfume full of sweet black fruits and spices, and an elegance despite the intense concentration of fruit (prunes, blackberry) and tannin. Château d’Ampuis defines what a great Côte-Rôtie should be with its beautiful balance, muscular complexity and length. A wine from a tannic and muscular vintage due to the hot climate. Solid tannins, yet well rounded by long oak ageing. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 96 points. This combines the elegance and finesse for which the appellation is famous for with tremendous power. In spite of this the tannins are very fine, the generous oak already beautifully woven into the plush tapestry of flavors. Stunning length and complexity at the finish. From seven plots that are neighbours to La Mouline and La Landonne on the Cote-Rotie. Matured in 100% new oak barrels for 38 months. Drink or hold. ~~~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 95-97 points: Another beautiful, layered, incredibly impressive wine. Ripe darker fruits, smoked meats, tapenade and ground pepper all define the bouquet. Full-bodied with a wealth of baby fat, lots of tannins and a great, great finish. It's certainly in line with past vintages and perhaps shows a touch more tannic structure than the 2018. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 94-96 points: A super example of this cuvée which blends fruit from seven different lieux-dits (three on the Cote Blonde and four on the Cote Brune). Smoky, herbal and complex, with a solid foundation of blueberry and raspberry fruit. It's full-bodied and concentrated yet silky, elegant and long on the finish.

Cuarenta y Tres “Licor 43” Spanish Vanilla Liqueur ~ $35 (liter)

(Spain) Warm, complex nose of upfront vanilla followed by tangy sweet fruit, spices and dark rum. The palate is similar to the aroma with complex intermingling flavors of vanilla, spices, orange and cinnamon. Ends with a flavor similar to fine aged rum only sweeter. 62 proof.

THE FINE PRINT

Due to fluctuations of supply, we reserve the right to make substitutions of equal or greater value in case any of the wines or foods become unavailable. Please, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ... even if your babysitter flakes out on you at the last minute!

Hope to see you here. Buon appetito and cheers!

Chris