3 | Wine | Shiraz / Syrah, Rhone, 2007

"Vivid ruby. Textbook syrah aromas of cherry, dark berries, smoked meat and violet, with a mineral note adding vibrancy. Juicy and well-defined on the palate, offering fresh blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that expand on the back end. Finishes sweet and very long, with resonating floral and spice notes and impressive energy."

"As I have mentioned before, the Cote Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis is a blend of some of the very best sites the Guigal family owns in Cote Rotie. This cuvee is aged 38 months in 100% new oak casks, and about 2,000 cases are produced. The component parts include the famed vineyards of La Garde, L’Enclos, Grande-Plantee, Pommiere, Pavillon, Le Moulin and more recently, La Viria, which I still believe will turn out to be Guigal’s fourth single vineyard Cote Rotie when Marcel and his son, Philippe, decide it can stand alone. A super effort, the 2007 reveals notes of black raspberries, ground pepper, lard, roasted coffee, herbs and cassis as well as hints of licorice and tapenade, and sweet tannin. It is one of the most aromatically complex Chateau d’Ampuis Cote Roties I have ever tasted. The silkiness of the tannins and the up-front forwardness of the wine suggest it should be drunk over the next 10-12 years." 92-94 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"An absolute monster as well as a candidate for perfection, the 2007 Cote Rotie La Landonne was vinified with 100% stems (whereas the 2007 La Turque was completely destemmed). The result is an opaque purple-colored wine displaying beautiful aromas of camphor, incense, balsamic notes, blackberries, cassis and an ethereal, subtle graphite character. Terrific intensity, a full-bodied mouthfeel and stunning length make for an exquisite wine that will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring, and last for 40-50 years." 98-100 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2007 Cote Rotie La Turque is more masculine, dense and full-bodied, offering up notes of charcoal, truffles, asphalt, blackberries and hints of roasted meats, new oak and earth. Powerful and rich with silky tannins as well as a muscular style, it tastes as if it came from a completely different appellation." 97-99 pts, reviewed by Robert Paker.

"The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Cote Rotie La Mouline will be bottled around the time this report is released. A superb effort made in the style of the 1991 (which is drinking beautifully at age 20), the 2007 displays silky, velvety tannins, a seamless integration of acidity, alcohol and tannin, and a luscious bouquet of charcoal, lychee nut, black cherries, raspberries and forest floor. Full-bodied, opulent and irresistible, this complex, supple 2007 can be enjoyed now and over the next two decades." 95-97 pts, reviewed by Robert Paker.

"The 2007 Hermitage Ex-Voto is a flamboyant, exuberant, showy effort that flirts with perfection. Its nearly overwhelming perfume of spring flowers, balsamic notes, blackberries, cassis, melted licorice and espresso roast is followed by an intense, full-bodied wine with silky tannins, massive concentration and a finish that lasts over a minute." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2007 Cote Rotie, an outstanding success in this vintage where this estate harvested extremely late in order to take advantage of the Indian Summer weather. The wine exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as scents of licorice, subtle oak, black currants, black cherries and hints of underbrush/forest floor. Spicy, opulent, voluptuous and flamboyant, it should continue to provide plenty of pleasure for a dozen years or more." Reviewed by Robert Parker.