|
International Spotlight: Rhône Valley
Discover the Insider Côte-Rôtie from Guigal That “Flirts with Perfection” and “Readers Can Find for a Fraction of the Cost of the Top LA-LAs.” 2018 Is “About as Classic Côte-Rôtie as They Come…”
"…A classic 2016 that does everything right, it cedes very little, if anything, to the more expensive single vineyard releases. Readers that love classic Côte Rôtie should buy this by the case."
“… the 2018 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis is going to flirt with perfection and is about as classic Côte Rôtie as they come. Another stunning vintage for this wine that readers can find for a fraction of the cost of the top La Las. It’s worth the money.” - Jeb Dunnuck
In case you missed it last week, here is a final offering on the prized wines of Guigal. While historically, Hermitage has been the undisputed King of the Rhône, there is something about Côte-Rôtie with its rich history dating back 2,000 years, the passion and dedication of the winemakers, and the touch of finesse, combined with power, that has won us over – and every Sommelier it seems. These are wines that can appeal to those that appreciate Barolo and Burgundy with their savory flavors and breathtaking layers of complexity that come with age. And like these prized regions, there are varying styles and producers to be discovered – from the richer and more structured wines of Guigal to the more traditionally-spirited wines of Rostaing.
Guigal is best known for the beloved LA-LA’s - the iconic trio of single vineyard Côte-Rôtie bottlings that consistently rank among the top wines of the vintage: La Landonne, La Mouline, La Turque. And while we offered out the prized candidates just last week, our insider tip is the Côte-Rôtie Château d’Ampuis, and today we are bringing it to you at some of the BEST PRICING in the country. While it has not yet gained the reputation of the LA-LAs, it is available at one third the price and is as Robert Parker has stated, “one of the finest five or six Côte-Rôties of the appellation.”
Despite its impressive growth over the years, Guigal has managed to remain a true family-owned estate and the father/son team continually produce some of the most sought-after wines in the Northern Rhône. The Château d’Ampuis bottling is a blend of Syrah (and some Viognier) with fruit coming from Guigal’s finest vineyards. We like to think of it as the “Côte-Rôtie Super Cuvée,” as it is produced from seven exceptional vineyards from both sides of Côte-Rôtie, the Côte Blonde and the Côte Brune, and vines averaging 50 years of age. These are exceptional vineyards, and in fact, adjoin one of the three Guigal’s famed single vineyard crus, La Mouline, La Landonne and La Turque. The vineyards are in the Côte Blonde as follows: Le Clos, La Garde, and La Grande Plantée; and in the Côte Brune: La Pommière, Le Pavillon Rouge, Le Moulin and La Viria.
And while the single vineyard bottlings can command $400-$600+, the Château d’Ampuis represents an incredible value at 1/4th the price. As Jeb Dunnuck has added, the wine is “certainly a match for the three single-vineyard releases.”
Featured Wines: The Finest Release Since 1995 - d'Ampuis Challenges The LA-LAs (Click to Order)
*Note: indicates pre-arrival
Without a doubt, one of the MUST BUYS for the collector are the 2018 (and 2016) releases from the Northern Rhône and that begins with the more value-minded Château d’Ampuis. Unfortunately, demand is high and a mere 175 cases make it to the US and we are now offering our tiny allocation on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to confirmation. You will have a hard time finding Côte-Rôtie of this quality from this "perfect" vintage of riches for Guigal, as well as the more finessed 2016 in the Northern Rhône at these prices. It is as the Wine Advocate has stated, “Even folks who buy and cellar the La Las will want to have some of this in their cellars for early drinking.” Mr. Dunnuck echoes this, stating “A classic 2016 that does everything right, it cedes very little, if anything, to the more expensive single vineyard La-La releases. Readers that love classic Côte-Rôtie should buy this by the case."
ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS:
“{Marcel Guigal} he has largely defined the appellation with his three spectacular single-vineyard offerings, La Landonne, La Mouline, La Turque. These immortal wines sell for a king’s ransom, but they are as good as anything produced anywhere in the world, and they age magnificently. The Château d’Ampuis was first introduced in 1995…it is one of the finest five or six Cote Roties of the appellation.” - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
2016 Guigal Côte-Rôtie Chateau d’Ampuis
Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “This is a mediation wine with savory flavors and breathtaking layers of complexity that can easily win over the Burghead and fans of Barolo. In contract to the much talked about 2015, the 2016 is more finessed, high-toned, with awesome acidity, firm tannins, and precision that shoots to the back of palate. A creaminess in the fruit builds with aeration and you can expect red and blue fruit highlighted by plums, wild berries, and cherries, with notes of olives, game, incense, licorice, fresh cut flowers, violets, and salinity all joining in. On day two, the tannins soften, integrate and this wine simply becomes intoxicating, and keeps you coming back for more as the flavor spectrum opens with each sip. The minerality alone is awesome. In a word - Stunning.”
Jeb Dunnuck: “Moving to the top Côte Rôties, the 2016 Côte Rôtie Chateau D'Ampuis comes from a blend of top sites (7 different lieux-dits) and sees the same care and élevage as the La Las. Revealing a ruby/purple hue as well as a stunning nose of black raspberry and cassis interwoven with notes of bacon fat, spring flowers, violets, and smoked game, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and gorgeous overall balance. The tannins are polished, and it has wonderful sweetness of fruit as well as considerable elegance. A classic 2016 that does everything right, it cedes very little, if anything, to the more expensive single vineyard releases. Readers that love classic Côte Rôtie should buy this by the case.”
2018 Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d’Ampuis
Jeb Dunnuck: “Lastly, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis is going to flirt with perfection and is about as classic Côte Rôtie as they come. Lots of cassis, graphite, spring flowers, vanilla, and game notes all give way to a full-bodied Côte Rôtie that’s flawlessly balanced, has silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This will be another stunning vintage for this wine that readers can find for a fraction of the cost of the top La Las. It’s worth the money.”
This is an email ONLY offer! If you would like to take advantage of this offer that is only available until 11:59pm Wednesday, February 9th, 2022, we are asking that you email orders back to me at chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com, connect with your portfolio manager, or mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors.
All the best,
Chris
|
