2013 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis Guigal Magnum

Flinty and smoky elements, with coal smoke, praline and boot polish, as well as red and dark plums. Impressively complex and detailed. The palate has assertive, deeply ripe and fluid tannins that drive long and carry dark plum fruits. Warming mocha to close. Drink now and beyond.

The 2013 Côte Rôtie Chateau D'Ampuis showed consistent with last year, offering classic, masculine notes of smoked black fruits, crushed flowers, and lots of minerality. It's not a blockbuster but has good concentration, bright acidity, and building tannin, all suggesting 3-4 years of bottle age will be your friend.

Solidly built, with a compact core of steeped currant and plum fruit flavors liberally laced with singed alder, leather and tar notes. Keeps a taut edge through the finish, as this is youthfully tight, with good, buried guts. Should unwind beautifully in the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035. From France.- J.M.