2014 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis
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Tasting notes
Brought up all in new oak and seeing the same élevage as the single vineyard cuvées, the 2014 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis boasts terrific ripeness and depth, with a Burgundian style in its perfumed red and black fruits, spice box, and dried flower aromas and flavors. With medium body, fine tannins, and terrific balance, it’s not a blockbuster but a silky, elegant, complete Côte Rôtie to drink over the coming 10-12 years. The big news at the Guigal estate is the purchase of Domaine de Nalys in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The family has always wanted an estate in the South, and Nalys is an unrealized treasure trove of awesome terroir and old vines, both of which I’ve no doubt will be maximized by this talented family. In addition, the former winemaker at Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Jacques Desvernois, has joined the team, and while it’s not clear exactly what his role will be, I suspect he will largely lead the charge at Domaine de Nalys. Either way, Desvernois is an incredible talent and can only add to what is already a well-oiled machine. As to the wines reviewed in this report, I was able to taste multiple vintages of each of the cuvées and have listed the wines by cuvée as opposed to by vintage, which is how we tasted through the wines.
Critic scores
Average Score
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
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Looking much the same as it did last year when I tasted it just after bottling, the 2014 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is a slightly lighter-bodied version of this cuvée, which is a blend of seven lieux-dits. Hints of green olive join floral notes and crisp, red-fruited flavors in this medium to full-bodied wine that still needs another two to three years of cellaring, but it should drink well for at least a decade after that.
Deep bright-rimmed ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark berries, cherry pie, olive and pungent flowers are sharpened by a suggestion of peppery spices. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering concentrated blackberry, cherry cola and violet pastille flavors and an exotic suggestion of star anise. Finishes pure, sweet and focused on the penetrating finish, showing outstanding focus and smooth tannins.