This was from a 375ml bottle bought on release. Purple in color, slightly flat, opaque. The nose is dusty with black cherries, black raspberries, and some roasted meat. Full bodied. On the palate, this is past maturity but still with plenty to offer. Nice complexity. Black raspberry fruit with underlying char. Good balance. Nice finish. These should be consumed soon. Better with good. Chili would work well.
This is the basic Cote Rotie from purchased fruit. It is 96% Syrah with 4% Viognier that saw 36 months in barrel, half of that new oak. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is very nice with black raspberries, black pepper, black olives and slight smoke. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, black raspberries with underlying char. Plenty of depth. Long finish. This is delicious on its own and should be very food friendly. It would be perfect with a steak. Drink over the next ten to twelve years.
Having just recently tasted the 2017, it was interesting to try the 2018. For my tastes, this was just a bit better than the 2017, but that is probably because it is more open and accessible. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright. Very nice nose with black raspberries, black pepper, spice, slight fresh cut lumber and slight violets. Medium to full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is drinking well if young. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Depth but tight. Underlying char and spice. A fair amount of oak on the finish. This will get better and holding ano
The trio of Guigal La La Cote Rotie's are legendary as some of the greatest wines in the world. Any time one gets to try a bottle is a rare occasion. Now, 2002 was not a great or even good vintage, but this bottle had been purchased for an affordable price on release and well stored waiting for the right time to open. At age 20, it was drinking quite well if not at the level of some better vintages. This is 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier which was less than usual due to the botrytis that came from the wet conditions. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is pretty with black ra
This is 100% Syrah from older vines in the northern Rhone. Guigal bought the vineyards from Jean-Louis Grippat upon his retirement: The granite based soil held in place by a series of terraces. The wine is fermented in stainless-steel tanks, followed by 30 months in new oak barrels. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, black olives and spice. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this is delicious. Ripe black raspberries, some black cherries with underlying char and spice.
