Cote Rotie La Turque

Wine information: The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the village of Ampuis. His son, Marcel, took over from his father in 1961. The Guigal family owns vineyards in Condrieu and in the Côte-Rôtie with illustrious plots in many famous appellations. The wines are made and aged at 12th century Chateau d’Ampuis located in the northern Rhone. In the summer of 2003, in an effort to improve quality and control over all aspects of wine making, Guigal opened an onsite cooperage. The cooperage at the Château d’Ampuis works in partnership with the cooperage at Chagny managed by Seguin Moreau. "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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