2010 E. Guigal, Cote Rotie, La Mouline 1x75cl

Vinous 97

Saturated ruby. An explosive, sharply delineated bouquet evokes fresh red and dark berries, Asian spices, candied flowers and incense, all lifted by a bright mineral overlay. Silky, sweet and utterly seamless on the palate, offering vibrant raspberry, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that spread out and gain depth with air. Manages to be both powerful and lithe, with superb back-end thrust and silky tannins shaping the endless floral finish. A drop-dead gorgeous, graceful and impeccably balanced example of Cote-Rotie and one of the great wines of a truly great vintage. My daughter might have to skip a year of college so that I can buy a dozen cases of this; she’ll understand when she grows up and has kids of her own. [Josh Raynolds, 02/01/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040

Robert Parker 100

As to three single parcel releases, I reviewed the 2010 Cote Rotie La Mouline earlier this year, but was more than happy to taste it again (lucky me) for this report. Incorporating a full 11% of Viognier and coming from the steep, terraced vines in the Cote Blonde lieu-dit, it sports a heavenly bouquet of spring flowers, incense, violets, cured meats and sweet cassis. Full-bodied, voluptuous and as seamless as they come, Syrah just doesn’t get any more alluring, sexy or impressive. Give it 5-6 years and drink bottles over the following 2 decades or more. The father/son team of Marcel and Philippe Guigal continue to keep their estate at the top of the hierarchy in the Rhone Valley. All the way from their inexpensive Cotes du Rhone to their top-end Cote Roties and Hermtiage, the attention to detail and focus on quality is unmatched. Readers should also check out the recent Rhone Retrospective article I wrote that covered the Saint Joseph Vignes des Hospices, Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde, Cote Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis and Cote Rotie La Mouline cuvees going back for over a decade. I said it there, and I’ll say it again here, this estate is producing some of the most incredible and singular wines in the world. [Jeb Dunnuck, 01/12/2014]

Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040