2019 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis Guigal

The 2019 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis is more structured and has a regal, noble feel in its tannins and overall balance. Some cassis, black raspberry, violets, and smoked game notes open up nicely with time in the glass, and this medium to full-bodied, seamless effort reminds me of the 2010. It’s going to need 4-6 years of bottle age.

The 2019 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is 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.

This combines the elegance and finesse for which the appellation is famous 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. A cuvee of 93% syrah and 7% viognier. Matured in 100% new oak barrels for 38 months.

Fresh and stewed plum flavors have a caressing feel, with bitter chocolate and singed lard chiming in. Orange peel acidity nicely props up the round, weighty palate, while bitter cherry, roasted apple wood and mesquite smoke stretch out on the firm, iron-edged finish. This should have a long life ahead in the cellar.