Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce an extra special 7-course Guigal wine tasting menu featuring a whopping nine wines from this iconic Rhone producer. Guigal is one of the most notable wine producers in the Rhone 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 taken the helm as the third-generation winemaker/manager. Wine Advocate’s Robert Parker comments that "In the past almost three decades I have spent visiting wineries and vignerons, I have never seen a producer so fanatical about quality as Marcel Guigal.”

This will be a unique tasting menu unlike anything we’ve ever offered before. For starters, the entire menu will have an Asian theme as ironically, even though we’re serving French wines, wines from the Rhone Valley pair phenomenally well with Asian cuisine. Next, every other course will be paired with two wines served side-by-side. Although the wines will be similar varietal-wise, they will be from different parts of the Rhone so you can taste the difference terroir makes. So, in addition to being an epic gastronomical experience, under Patrick’s fascinating narrative, it will also be a fun way to enhance your wine knowledge. Finally, even though we’re serving a whopping seven courses, each course will be “pintxo-sized” so that by the end of the meal you’ll be pleasantly full but not overly stuffed. We want this to be a leisurely, unrushed experience so please plan on about three hours for this dinner. 

And thanks to our long-standing relationship with Patrick, he’s made some wines available just for this dinner that are normally not in distribution. So in addition to the core line-up, this will also be a great opportunity to try wines like both of the scarce Saint-Joseph “Lieu-Dits” and a rare 99-point Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc to name a few. If you love Rhone wines you’ll not want to miss this event!

Speaking of Patrick, Rhone specialist Patrick Will, who has worked with Phillipe and Marcel for over a quarter of a century now, 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 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

SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS

Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate extensive menu aberration or vegetarian requests. If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know when you RSVP, not when you arrive. We will do our best to accommodate special dietary needs if we can and if given advance notice. Please be aware that last-minute menu aberration requests will be impossible for us to accommodate.

MENU

Braised Pork Belly “Nigiri” | Roasted Scallion Wrap | Toasted Sesame Seeds | Wasabi

2023 Guigal “Tavel” Rose (4 oz. pour)

Tom Kha Soup: Lemongrass Chicken | Beech Mushrooms | Bok Choy | Kaffir Lime

2023 Guigal “Côtes du Rhône” Blanc (2 oz. pour)

~ and ~

2021 Guigal “Lieu-Dit” Saint-Joseph Blanc (2 oz. pour)

Seared Sea Scallop | Garlic + Melted Leek Glass Noodles | XO Sauce

2022 Château de Nalys “Grand Vin” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc (2 oz. pour)

Cantonese-Style Duck | Glazed Cabbage | Szechuan Peppercorn + Hibiscus Sauce

2023 Guigal “Côtes du Rhône” Rouge (2 oz. pour)

~ and ~

2021 Guigal Gigondas (2 oz. pour)

Pan-Fried Wild Mushroom Gyoza | Miso Beef Broth

2020 Château de Nalys “Grand Vin” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge (2 oz. pour)

Seared Japanese A5 Wagyu Teppanyaki-Style | Garlic Chips | Black Lava Sea Salt

2021 Guigal Crozes-Hermitage (2 oz. pour)

 ~ and ~

2020 Guigal “Lieu-Dit” Saint-Joseph Rouge (2 oz. pour)

Pineapple + Coconut Gelato

Scorpion Cocktail (3 oz. pour)

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

RSVP (IF ON A DESKTOP COMPUTER)

Click the “Contact the Host” button in the “Tell a Friend” box on to the right and respond with the info below.

RSVP (IF ON A MOBILE DEVICE)

Scroll to the very bottom of this posting. Click the “Contact the Host” button in the “Tell a Friend” box at the bottom and respond with the info below.

RESPOND WITH THIS INFO

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

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 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 the two firepit tables on the patio for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available if you don’t mind sitting at a lower, coffee table height table. Also, please consider inviting another couple or two to join you as if you’re a party of four or six 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

Metered and non-metered on-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius. Try to find non-metered parking as the new meters are now enforced seven days a day until 8:00PM yet still only allow a maximum of two hours. You can also park in the free 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 usually parking on the side streets behind the restaurant, on San Diego Avenue one block in front of the restaurant and on the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street. If you plan to drive here make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to find a parking space but ideally use a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft so you don’t have to deal with it.

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

2023 Guigal “Tavel” Rose ~ $18

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah + 5% others. Pure, deep salmon pink. Elegant floral and fruit notes. Fruity and well-structured with aromatic finesse on the palate. Pleasant acidity is balanced by fleshy fruitiness and body. ~~~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 92 points: Ripe red cherries, spice and hints of garrigue define the bouquet. Medium-bodied and balanced with integrated acidity. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 91 points: Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of dried cherry and candied orange aromas. Very nice balance of creaminess and a zesty blood-orange character with restrained freshness at the ample finish.

2023 Guigal “Côtes du Rhône” Blanc ~ $17

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette + Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc for the rest. Freshness on the nose with the distinctive aromas of Viognier like white flowers, apricot, acacia and white peach. Fruity palate with plenty of richness and body. Well-rounded with elegance, strength and balance. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 90 points: An aromatic white with lots of floral aromas including pink roses. Ripe and medium- to full-bodied. Long, creamy finish with a touch of fine tannins balancing the wine nicely. ~~~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 90 points: Orange blossom, spice and honeyed stone fruits all emerge from this white. It offers medium-bodied richness, beautiful purity and an elegant, balanced style.

2021 Guigal “Lieu-Dit” Saint-Joseph Blanc ~ $64

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 95% Marsanne + 5% Roussanne. Straw yellow with golden tints. Very complex nose with hazelnuts, yellow fruit and oak accents. Full-bodied attack with fleshy fruit and a round palate. Balanced with complex aromas and the roundness characteristic of the best sites of the appellation. ~~~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 94 points: This wine is on another level. It's a concentrated Saint Joseph that has the vintage's fresher, focused style yet brings good depth, richness and length. Crushed citrus, honeysuckle and a beautiful sense of minerality define the aromatics. Medium-bodied and balanced, it should have a solid decade of longevity.

2022 Château de Nalys “Grand Vin” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc ~ $72

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 40% Grenache Blanc, 40% Roussanne + 20% Clairette and tiny amounts of Picardin and Picpoul Blanc. Pale youthful gold, clear and brilliant color. Intense nose of white flowers and citrus with a lovely vanilla note. Breadth, elegance and length. A noble, elegant and very expressive wine. ~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 99 points: One of if not the white of the vintage. White peach, citrus oil, green almonds, brioche and toasty notes define the aromatics. Full-bodied with a layered, concentrated yet focused mouthfeel, good acidity, and a great finish. It's a stunning white from the south that I wish every reader could taste. It will evolve for 15 years or more. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 96 points: Scents of ripe pears, pineapples and tangerines are accented by hints of pencil shavings on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is honeyed, silky and harmonious, concentrated, elegant and long.

2022 Guigal “Côtes du Rhône” Rouge ~ $17

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 50% Syrah, 45% Grenache + 5% Mourvèdre. Intensely aromatic nose of black fruits and spices. Smooth, round tannins are present throughout the full bodied, ample wine. Overall, a complete wine with a long finish, and with elegance and finesse accompanying the abundance of fruit and well-balanced tannins.

2021 Guigal Gigondas ~ $32

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah + 10% Mourvèdre. An incredible introduction to serious Southern Rhône reds at a show-stopper of a price. Rich ripe fruit and a savory character burst from the glass yet the wine displays terrific refinement, complexity, length and ability to age. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 92 points: Aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries and roasted meat. This driven, succulent and vivid Gigondas is medium-bodied with creamy tannins. Velvety texture with comforting fruit and a focused, flavorful and persistent finish.

2020 Château de Nalys “Grand Vin” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge ~ $72

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah + 10% Mourvèdre, Deep, dark and dense red with an intense nose of red and black berries and spice. The palate is a beautiful composition of silky tannins, power and elegance. Overall, the wine is expressive, noble and complete. ~~~ Review by Wine Spectator ~ 95 points: A polished, stylish wine with oak spice and toasty cedar encasing fruitcake, warm fig and red currant. Incredibly concentrated, it glides through with suave tannins and a silky feel on the long finish that's dusted with mocha. Very well-made and built for a long life in the cellar. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 94 points: Beautifully balanced with an impressive freshness for this ripe vintage. Floral aromas accentuate the impression of lightness and the silky mouthfeel created by the super-fine tannins. Very long finish. Review by Wine Advocate: 94 points: Nose of ripe cherry and raspberry. Harmonious, full-bodied and silky, with fine-grained tannins that make the wine come across as deceptively easy to drink young while still suggesting at least a decade of cellaring potential.

2021 Guigal Crozes-Hermitage ~ $29

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 100% Syrah. Nose of blackcurrant buds, vanilla, cherry and strawberry with delicate oak background aromas. A structured, tannic wine. Remarkable freshness with notable and refined tannins due to long oak ageing. ~~~ Review by Wine Enthusiast ~ 92 points: A classic and rustic expression, this wine showcases rich red cherries and currants with subtle notes of cedar, fine herbs and violet aromas. Fruit-forward yet alluringly savory, it offers youthful tannins that coat the mouth, supporting a midpalate of lush black plum, charcuterie and light black tea. The finish is defined by a fine granitic edge. Enjoy now with a proper decant, or cellar through 2035+.

2020 Guigal “Lieu-Dit” Saint-Joseph Rouge ~ $64

(France) Winemaker’s Notes: 100% Syrah. ~~~ Review by Jeb Dunnuck ~ 96 points: Gorgeous notes of cassis, graphite, crushed violets, smoke and some background meaty, gamey nuances. I t's a powerful yet elegant wine that has ample ripe fruit, terrific balance and the capacity to drink well for 15 years. ~~~ Review by Wine Advocate ~ 94 points: Hints of pencil shavings and crushed stone accent blackberries and blueberries on the nose. Looking even better now than it did prior to bottling, it's a knockout example of this fabled site. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and intense, with fine-grained, silky tannins allied to terrific freshness and length. Although it may go through open and closed phases along the way, it should drink well for two decades.

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