Cote-Rotie La Turque

Notes - The Guigal Domaine was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the ancient village of Ampuis, home of the wines of the Côte-Rôtie. These vineyards are over 2,400 years old and you can still see the small terraced walls characteristic of the Roman period. Etienne Guigal arrived in this region in 1923 at the age of 14, he made over 67 vintages. His son Marcel took over in 1961. Today, Philippe Guigal (Marcel's son), oenologist, is the third generation to continue the family endeavour to be at the service of the greatest wines of the Rhône Valley. United as a family, Bernadette, Marcel and Philippe work together to develop this family owned and run enterprise. In 2006, Marcel Guigal was awarded Decanter Man of the Year for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Rhône area. 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier. "Lastly, the 2003 La La's are all prodigious efforts that may eclipse any other vintage Guigal has ever produced! They possess similarities to the 1999s, but they are even higher in alcohol, more unctuously textured, thicker, and longer. Encapsulate the character of each one of these single vineyards in a top year, add more depth, intensity, alcohol, and power, and this describes the freakishly rich 2003s. They will be released after spending 42 months in 100% new oak casks. These 2003s are literally off the charts, as are many of the northern Rhones in this vintage. As usual, there is about 11% Viognier in La Mouline, 7% in La Turque, and none in La Landonne. Interestingly, the La Landonne includes 100% stems, and the other two cuvees were completely destemmed. La Mouline is a thirty year wine, La Turque 30-35 years, and La Landonne should last 45-50 years. They are all the stuff of modem day legends. As for what they actually taste like, just take my notes for any of the great vintages and add more power, glycerin, alcohol, tannin, and concentration ... that about defines these 2003s!" - (99-100) - The Wine Advocate by Robert M. Parker Jr - 12/04
 
     

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