E. Guigal : Château d'Ampuis 2020

Thick, chewy and large-boned, this oozes chocolate and cherry liqueur notes encased in a robe of charred cedar. An intriguing earthiness (wet leaves, tobacco) plays off the spice cake accent and tug of bitterness on a creamy, rich palate, all wrapped up in smoke, camphor and mesquite elements. Impressively balanced, with an endless finish, this contemplative wine is also a hedonistic pleasure. Syrah and Viognier. Drink now through 2040. 200 cases imported.

A beautifully crafted Côte-Rôtie for this ripe vintage that is already a delight to drink. Excellent balance of smokiness, meaty character and fine tannins, the generous oak already very well integrated. Very long finish with plenty of drive and smoky character. Drink or hold.

The 2020 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis wafts from the glass with loads of graphite, violet, cured meat, wood smoke, menthol, and predominantly black fruits. The massive tannic structure indicates that the 2020 will be a long-distance runner and shouldn’t be touched until 2030. It closes with excellent grip on the complex finish. Still, I have a slight preference for the bolder 2019 rendition.

Bottled just a week prior to my tasting, the 2020 Côte Rôtie Chateau D'Ampuis is a beautifully elegant, supple, utterly classic Côte Rôtie that shows the charm and sexy style of this magical appellation. Ripe, darker berry fruits, roasted herbs, iron, and some meaty, smoky nuances all soar from the glass, and this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and fine-grained, polished tannins. It's already impossible to resist yet is going to shine for at least two decades.

The wine is tight, very dense, with notes of dark fruit, a juicy side, but also wood that, at this stage, is still present. The balance is there.

Espresso, cocoa, licorice, and dark, smoky fruits create the perfume. The palate is even better with its display sweet, fresh, vibrant red berries, herbs and spices. The wine is sweet fresh, vibrant, creamy and rich. While you can enjoy this now, there is a lot of room for improvement, so you can feel comfortable aging it as well. Drink from 2028-2040.