La Turque Côte-Rôtie Syrah

How did this sneak in here? Considering our penchant for the Rhône, it’s almost inevitable that something like this was getting opened. Popped and poured, the 1997 “La Turque” pours a deep ruby/purple color with a slightly hazy, near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe slightly wizened black and ted fruits: black brambles, black cherry, strawberry, smoked and spiced meat, olives, purple flowers, black pepper, dried herbs, rocky earth, fine wood and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. While this may not be my favorite expression of Côte Rôtie, it is undeniably delicious after nearly 30 years. It still has a long life ahead. Drink now through 2042.

Fragrant and red-fruit-driven nose shouting clarity of purpose led a crisp, somewhat linear palate of nicely delineated red and black fruit, black tea, asian spice. After a while in the glass secondary notes emerged of strawberry and even lilac. Great now but miles from peak with delightful acidity still driving the palate. Outstanding.

Great vintage for the La La’s. But it’s not ready. The nose is stunning, captivatingly aromatic after a few hours in the decanter, layered with Northern Rhône classicism of blackberry, camphor and bacon fat. The palate is massively concentrated but oaky and stiff. Needs more time to integrate but all the pieces are there!

Still a baby. Revisit in 15.

Spectacular. Ethereal nose of strawberry and faint notes of cured meats. 1,000 layers after it came to temp, needed a short decant. This has turned towards Burg with a lightness and power. Silky smooth. Thanks, Aaron. 🙏🏼

Opened as part of a 2-day tasting with Alex Macdonald while he was in town. Day two was a small group of us with killer wines (2010 Chave Hermitage, mag of ‘02 Krug, Selosse Substance, 1996 Latour, 2003 Mouton, 1992 Dominus).

Quick one hour double decant to prep this beauty. While La Mouline is my favorite, La Turque still incorporates the co-ferment with Viognier. 93 Syrah/7 Viognier.

Beautiful translucent ruby in the glass. As I get with certain Cote Rotie wines (especially Guigal), barbecue and bacon fat can be overwhelming when young, but this has channeled a really balanced profile. Aromatic notes of smoked meat, cherry liqueur, and espresso. Beautifully rich yet elegant on the palate. Great nerve of acidity with a finish sporting plenty of tannin to carry this a while. Black peppered raspberries, black fruit on the palate with a little bacon and a hint of sweet/tangy barbecue sauce note (delicious). Enjoy now with a short decant or hold another 5yrs.

Very powerful nose and very long finish with peppery aftertaste. This will evolve beautifully but drinks great now. Very balanced despite maximum extraction.

While no doubt a young La La, 2007 La Turque is fabulous tonight, wafting layers of violets, campfire smoke, black olive, smoked meats and deep dark fruit. It’s multidimensional palate is seriously concentrated, yet simultaneously shows elegance and lift, all leading to its long, silky finish. In a great spot but also with many years ahead.

Wow. Dark plummy nose with rich violet, dried herbs, hints of mocha. Really intense fruit with a hint of vanilla oak. White pepper, sour cherry, garrigue. Pure, powerful and long. Young

Night 1 of WineBoyz Wineapalooza. Tasted blind. Dark red, almost opaque. High-pitched nose with notes of red maraschino cherries, dark fruit, some earth, some mahogany. Big core of fruit, seems to be from a warm vintage and has some age. Lots of debate about this wine. One person thinks it's Italian, another thinks it might be Syrah. I'm in Burgundy and guess 90 Ponsot CdlR. Interesting when the reveal happens. Bottle is a leaker, looked a bit beat up. I had a bottle of this two weeks ago which was more inspiring and in much better condition. Still, very nice…