1998 Guigal “La Mouline”: A Benchmark Syrah
“One of the world’s most intensely perfumed and compelling wines.”
– Robert Parker
In the world of Syrah, few names carry the weight and prestige of E. Guigal. Founded in 1946 in Ampuis, in the heart of Côte-Rôtie, Guigal quickly rose to international fame, largely due to a trio of single-vineyard wines now known simply as “The La-Las”: La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque. These wines redefined what was possible in the Northern Rhône and helped elevate the entire region's reputation among collectors and critics alike.
Of the three, La Mouline is the most seductive - renowned for its perfume, elegance, and finesse. The vineyard lies in the Côte Blonde, the southern and slightly warmer sector of Côte-Rôtie, with a higher proportion of limestone-rich soils. Guigal’s plot here is a steep, terraced amphitheater planted with 75-year-old vines, mostly Syrah co-planted with a touch of Viognier (~10%), which lends a distinctive floral lift to the wine.
Each bottle of La Mouline is a study in patience and precision. After meticulous harvest and fermentation, the wine is aged for 42 months in 100% new oak barrels—an audacious move that, in Guigal’s hands, achieves harmony rather than dominance. The resulting wine is opulent yet balanced, expressive yet refined.
The 1998 vintage was one of the Rhône Valley’s all-time greats. After devastating spring frosts cut yields dramatically, the region saw an immaculate summer that ripened the remaining fruit to perfection. The best wines from 1998, like this La Mouline, are now in their prime - offering layers of smoked violets, cured meats, black fruit, spice, and a plush texture that lingers for minutes.
We’re offering just six bottles, all sourced from a professionally cellared private collection. Provenance is impeccable: perfect fills, pristine labels, and storage history that matches the quality in the bottle.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the Rhône’s most iconic wines, from one of its most storied vintages, at peak maturity.