Guigal Cote Rotie Chateau D'Ampuis 2019 (750ML)

97 JD / 96 JS / 94-96 WA / 95 WS / 95 VM

Leading off the Côte Rôties, the 2019 Côte Rôtie Chateau D'Ampuis is always a brilliant wine, and in recent years, it's come close to rivaling the single vineyard releases. Don't believe me? Put it in a blind lineup and let me know the results. The 2019 is absolutely brilliant, and I'd put this up with the finest vintages of this cuvée to date, including the 2009, 2010, 2017, and 2018. Awesome aromatics of ripe red and black fruits, tapenade, iron, and gamey, meaty, floral notes all emerge on the nose, and this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, beautiful yet substantial tannins, and a great finish. Hide bottles for 4-6 years if you can and enjoy over the following 15-20 years. As always, the Chateau D'Ampuis comes from a mix of seven lieux-dits spread across the appellation and sees the same four years in new barrels as the single vineyards.—Jeb Dunnuck

26 Apr, 2023 – 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. Drink or hold.—James Suckling

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.—Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate

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. Drink now through 2032. —Kristen Bieler, Wine Spectator

The alluring 2019 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis fires on all cylinders. Bold and fleshy, it exhales prominent black cherry compote, crushed violets, pencil shaving, cedar and licorice. Earthy and meaty undertones add more aromatic layers. The full-bodied 2019 hits all the right spots, flawlessly combining elevated ripeness and intensity with balancing freshness. Grippy yet ripe tannins require at least four more years in bottle. After that, the 2019 will delight at least until 2040. -  Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous Media