2020 Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde Guigal

Leading off the Côte Rôties, the 2020 Côte Rôtie Brune Et Blonde is the larger production cuvée, and it’s always a solid effort. The 2020 looks brilliant and has plenty of both red and black fruits as well as flowers and spice in a medium-bodied, seamless package. The tannins are spot on and it has a great finish, all pointing to an outstanding Côte Rôtie that will evolve for 15 years or so.

In spite of the dark forest berry fruit this has so much floral and mineral freshness, it is uplifting! Concentrated and very focused, the interplay of oak, fine fruit tannin and fruit aromas on the palate are spot on. Just bottled, so it really benefits from some air in the glass or decanting. A cuvee of 96% syrah and 4% viognier. Matured in 50% new oak and 50% used barrels for three years. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.

A polished, modern style, with a rush of black fruit, bitter cherry and incense layered with smoldering tobacco and cigar box. Succulent acidity races through, bringing balance to the svelte, smoky finish. Syrah and Viognier.