E. Guigal : Château d'Ampuis 2021

This has the cooler personality of the vintage with a touch of blood-orange character, but also a wide spectrum of red and black berry aromas. Impressive tannin structure that's been expertly crafted. Long finish with excellent integration of spicy oak and stony minerality. From the same seven plots as every year. Matured in 100% new oak. Drink or hold.

After last year’s showing from barrel was inconclusive, the bottled version of the 2021 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis fares much better. Pencil shaving, fresh violet, red plum, cedar and an espresso shot frame its complex aromatic profile. Less bold and concentrated compared to the preceding vintages, the 2021 feels like taking a time capsule back into the 1980s, with its lean, taut stature, firm acidic backbone and just ripe fruit. A long, refined finish wraps it up. This was vinified with roughly 15% whole clusters.

Somber and darker in profile than the Brune et Blonde, the 2021 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis has turned out very well in bottle, revealing aromas of smoke, oak, toast, spices and baked dark berries intertwined with notes of iris. Medium- to full-bodied, structured and concentrated, it offers a firm core of fruit and a solid chassis of tannins, concluding with a long, mineral finish. This is a strong effort.

A dark, thick, blockbuster style, with layers of sweet tapenade, steeped cherry, espresso, lavender paste and chewy earth that unfurl. Rich and smoky, showing decadent lashings of oak toast and charred mesquite. Bay leaf and white pepper add an appealing flash of freshness. Iron-edged tannins are firm yet not chunky, offering a refined feeling on the substantial finish. Syrah and Viognier. Best from 2026 through 2042. 2,500 cases made, 200 cases imported.

Just a touch of wood remains to be soaked up by the wine, so now you find light espresso notes blended with herbs, spices and red fruits. Medium-bodied, forward, and direct, the wine finishes with sweet, and tart, chalky black raspberries, and cherries. This will be at its best in its youth, and over the next 12 to 15 years, or so. Drink from 2027-2040.