2015 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis

I loved the 2015 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis from barrel, and this beauty does not disappoint from bottle. Coming from a handful of top sites, it’s made in the same fashion as the top La Las, seeing four years in new barrels. Deep purple-hued with a classic bouquet of black raspberries, jammy blackberries, acacia flowers, vanilla bean, and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great, great finish. Savvy readers will stock up on this beauty. Give it 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more.

The 2015 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is remarkably dense and concentrated, packed with dark fruit and rich tannins. It's full-bodied and supple on the mid-palate, adding hints of vanilla, espresso and dried spices on the long, velvety finish. Give it another 3-4 years in the cellar, then drink it over the next two decades.

There's a good sense of aromatic purity here with appealing red berry fruits, and the oak isn't overly obtrusive on the nose. Medium-bodied, pure and fresh on the palate, with vibrancy if not great depth. Good sense of finesse to the tannins with well balanced acidity. Impressive craftsmanship with a medium length finish, ending on a coffee bean and vanilla pod note. A blend of 7 plots across the Côte Blonde and Côte Brune. Fermented in stainless steel, 38 months in new French oak barriques.