Château d'Ampuis Côte-Rôtie Syrah

Holy balls! I need more nostrils to smell this. Brooding with game, bramble, and coffee grounds. Palate is slick but well concentrated with weight and tannin that linger spectacularly. Not cheap.

This is quite mute and contained. Clearly good fruit but quite compact. Dark plummy violet fruit. Savory and coiled. Needs time

A touch of butterscotch on the nose then a deep blue gnarly fruit with a bit of tang and black pepper. Savory and delicious on the palate z quite cool blooded which is ironic given the vintage. Sour cherry notes on the end.

A exploration of nine 1999 Cote Rotie - Syrahs and Shiraz on their 25th anniversary. The Guigal was ranked #2 by the group, and was my #3. great wine.

Classic…pepper, meat, smoke, tart black/blue fruit with long finish

Oddly muted and not very outgoing. A little rubbery. I didn’t dislike it but didn’t love it either. After checking in on day two it was much more giving with dark fruits, coffee and leather. Still young

2001 vintage. Some oxidation on the nose, more evolved than expected. Better in the mouth, drinking quite well on the first day, dead the next day, so drink quickly.

Vinfanticide, surely, but what a promising beauty. Red ink, brambly nose, viscous and powerful. Sock this away for 5+ years, potential 95++

Oak starting to integrate. Olives and blueberry jam.

Blend of mostly Syrah & splash of Viognier, Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits and complex spices. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and currants with cacao, herbs and black pepper. Fine savory tannins, long smooth finish ending with sweet spice notes. Nice! Wait on this one until at least 2023. Tasting Sample!