Guigal La Turque 2016 (750ML)

98 WA / 98 DE / 97 VM / 96-99 JD / 18+ JR

Loaded with exotic perfumes of spring flowers and ripe berries, the 2016 Cote Rotie La Turque looks more like the wine I first tasted back in 2017. Medium to full-bodied, it's exquisitely silky and elegant from start to incredibly long finish; while there is ample concentration and a fine, lacy framework of tannins to support the fruit, the tannins virtually melt away into the background, leaving behind lingering notes of salted licorice and mocha. Approachable now, it should drink well for at least two decades.—Joe Czerwinrski, The Wine Advocate

Lighter and more perfumed than the 2017 La Turque, more aerial in aroma, violets. I love the smoothness of the tannins, the silkiness on the palate. Again, the balance feels very natural and easy as it does with the other 2016 La-Las, with a harmonious, shapely, tapered finish. Extremely elegant expression of Côte-Rôtie, with perfect balance of tannin, acidity and alcohol.—Matt Walls, Decanter

Inky magenta. Candied cherry, blackcurrant, exotic spices, violet oil and a hint of olive on the powerfully scented nose. Velvety, seamless and alluringly sweet, offering palate-staining, mineral-laced black/blue fruit preserve, floral pastille, smoky bacon and spicecake flavors that open up steadily on the back half. Displays sharp delineation and a resonating floral note on a strikingly long finish that's framed by plush, rounded tannins.—Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

As is common in the vintage, the 2016 Côte Rôtie La Turque is just a textbook example of the cuvée, and this vintage shows the individual terroirs beautifully throughout the Northern Rhône. The 2016 has a terrific perfume of cassis, violets, and crushed rocks, and it hits the palate with awesome depth of fruit, full body, building tannins, and a great, great finish. I wrote “classic” about four times in my notes on this wine. The 2015 has a touch more oomph, but this is as classy and pure as it gets.—Jeb Dunnuck

Pepper, leather and aniseed – fragrance that stands up to the new oak really well. Firmer tannin than the Mouline. Not a huge vintage – there is lightness here – but everything is in balance. Gorgeous.—Richard Hemming MW, Jancis Robinson