E. Guigal : La Turque 2019

Austere and somewhat somber—no doubt influenced by the high proportion of iron oxide in the soils—the 2019 Côte-Rôtie La Turque is nonetheless elegant and remarkably delicate. It unfurls from the glass with aromas of spices, gentian, dark berries, bell pepper and baked mulberries, mingled with subtle hints of oak. Full-bodied, structured and robust, it delivers a multidimensional core of fruit and firm, finely extracted tannins that channel its controlled power, concluding with an endless, delicately spicy finish.

Powerful and broad, with a velvety robe of charred apple wood and savory spices surrounding a core of winey red currant and cherry preserves, flecked with olive tapenade. Texturally stunning, with polished, softened tannins keeping this poised. Showing impressive freshness and tension, this is a compelling, well-meshed wine that stretches way out. Best from 2025 through 2040. 90 cases imported.

Highly spicy, with attractive star anise and cinnamon notes to the black fruits. Velvety on the palate, but this has serious structure. It feels embryonic for now; the oak tannins, alcohol and acidity lack harmony, yet it finishes long. It will be very good when ready, but certainly shouldn't be opened before 2030. From lieu-dit Côte Brune, fermented in stainless steel, aged in new barriques for 40 months.

From the haunting nose through to the end of the extremely long finish, this wine embodies the rocky personality of Cote-Rotie, along with the special ripeness that the syrah achieves here. As floral as it is stony, as structured as it is concentrated, yet all of this builds an imposing and enchanting whole. A cuvee of 93% syrah and 7% viognier. Matured in 100% new oak for 42 months. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Cask sample, tasted at the domaine. Lots of clove and peppercorn. Incredible energy, drive and vibrancy on the palate – this is all about verve, direction, definition and tantalising freshness. The subtle intricacies of clove and smoke adorn the pure and densely rich palate. (AC)

Dark in color, the wine opens with its spice-edged, red fruits, smoke, herbs, and oceanic influence on the nose. It takes only the initial sip to gain an understanding of this wine's greatness. Full-bodied, powerful, intense, balanced, and lively, on the palate, you feel the weight and sense the energy as its layers of fruit coat your palate and linger. The wine holds your focus for over 60 seconds. This is clearly a wow vintage for Guigal La Turque. The wine blends 7% Viognier along with 93% Syrah. Drink from 2032-2055.

The 2019 Côte Rôtie La Turque reminds me slightly of the 2010, which at a recent tasting I thought was the greatest young wine I had ever tasted. The 2019 reveals a saturated purple hue as well as insane aromatics of bloody blue and red fruits, roasted meats, iron, ground pepper, and graphite, with perfectly integrated background oak. With full-bodied richness as well as a deep, layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, it has building tannins, flawless balance, and a finish that won't quit. This is an absolutely legendary Côte Rôtie in the making. It deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will see its 30th birthday in fine form.

A wine of great finesse on the palate, with fruit leaning more toward blackcurrant than blueberry, always showing that superb lusciousness afforded by a very sunny vintage, with long aging that smooths the tannins—perhaps a touch pronounced in its vanilla nuances, but that was still the era of Seguin-Moreau barrels.

The sanguine, energetic character is present in this cuvée, traditionally aged for 42 months in new oak barrels. It will need a good decade to integrate its oak, but everything is in place here for a great bottle, with depth and energy.