2002 Cote Rotie La Turque
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Tasting notes
Ruby-red. Expressive and seductively lush aromas of pure blackberry, creme de cassis and candied plum. Suave, silky and incredibly sweet, showing deep, sappy dark berry flavors that verge on liqueur-like. No way I'd guess this was a 2002. The broad, velvety, sweet finish shows very good weight and extremely supple tannins.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Weaker rim than La Mouline. Spicy nose, more obviously concentrated than La Mouline. Very peppery Syrah on the nose. Quite brutal and youthful and severe at present though has very positive presence. (JR)
The 2002 Cote Rotie La Turque, which includes 7% Viognier, reveals a deeper ruby/purple color along with a sweet bouquet of graphite, acacia flowers, black currants, and notions of meat and truffle. Fruity, soft, round, and substantial, it can be drunk over the next 10-12 years. Marcel and Philippe Guigal, never content to rest on their already impressive credentials, announced that in the future, they expect to release another single vineyard Cote Rotie from a 3.7 acre parcel in the Viria vineyard on the Cote Brune. The first vintage or two will probably be added to the Chateau d’Ampuis. If the potential turns out to be as exceptional as they believe, lovers of these great wines will have a fourth single vineyard Cote Rotie called Viria to contemplate. There are many admirable things about Marcel Guigal, but most significant is that he has been a qualitative locomotive that has brought attention to the Rhone Valley, and has raised the quality bar for the entire region. More importantly, he realizes that most consumers will have access only to his least expensive wines from the Cotes du Rhone, so he has made every effort to continue to increase the quality of both his white and red Cotes du Rhones. His Cotes du Rhone whites have jumped in quality as he has settled on a general blend of approximately 50% Viognier and the rest Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Grenache Blanc. Importer: Fred Ek and Patrick Will, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153
Moderately saturated ruby-red. Captivating aromas of pepper, mocha, woodsmoke, bacon fat and spices. Fat and sweet but with a firm edge of acidity. Showing more breadth and texture today than La Mouline. This, too, offers good purity for the vintage, with a strong flavor of dark cherry. Finishes long and sweet, with fine tannins.