Domaine E. Guigal, Château D’ampuis, Côte Rôtie 2013 – Vallée du Rhône – Côte Rôtie

2013 was a very rustic, austere, structured vintage and it’s extremely apparent in the wines that are bolder and more structured than their regular form. Even so, Château d’Ampuis is always a treat for me. The unique and original expression with such concentration is not to be missed as it may not be back. It’s a handsome and worthy Syrah, with unbelievable acidity and Character. It’s made from the seven peripheral parcels surrounding La Mouline and La Turque, a mix of both Côte Brune and Côte Blonde: Le Clos, La Garde, La Grande Plantée, La Pommière, Le Pavillon Rouge, Le Moulin and La Viria. The pure and precise aromas include graphite, heavy cassis, cracked pepper, praline, leather and a hickory smokiness. There’s a lot of masculine elements, quite on the complete opposite as la Mouline in general.