99pts Jeb Dunnuck

Classic notes of graphite, spring flowers, blackberries, crushed stone, and smoky oak all emerge from the 2020 Côte Rôtie La Turque. Based on 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier and brought up in 100% new French oak for 42 months, it's round and full-bodied, with incredible depth, richness, and purity. With no hard edges and a concentrated, multidimensional mouthfeel, it strikes a good balance between the upfront, sexy showoff that's the La Mouline and the more reserved, masculine, structured La Landonne. Drink 2025-2045.

98pts James Suckling

The nose is like what you smell when you enter a spice market in the Far East. Great concentration and underplayed power on the full-bodied palate, but also graceful, the generous dose of toasty oak almost perfectly integrated. Extremely long finish that keeps on pumping out the berry fruit, butter, orange and stone character. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.

98pts Vinous

The 2020 Côte-Rôtie La Turque reveals an intense and intricate bouquet of black pepper, licorice, iodine, mocha, graphite and cedar notes, showcasing outstanding complexity. Full-bodied and deeply concentrated, it shines with refreshing acidity and an ultra-precise balance that maintains a serene sense of harmony. With a long, generous and impeccably refined finish, this is a serious La Turque that's elegant to the core.

96pts Decanter

This feels like a classic, with the weight and tannins necessary to help this age, but it's not as massive as some recent vintages. Star anise, cinnamon and nutmeg - very much about the spice this year - this is bold and sweetly fruited, with juicy, pliable tannins and a long finish. Vines are on the Côte Brune, planted by Marcel Guigal in 1980 (first vintage 1985) after being abandoned since 1935. La Turque is a central part of Côte Brune, less than 1ha. This is only at the beginning of its 40 months in new French oak barriques.

96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Notes of espresso and barrel char ride above notes of purple raspberries in the 2020 Cote Rotie La Turque. It's full-bodied, with ample concentration and length, but it seems to lack a bit of depth compared to other recent vintages. Let's see what next year brings.

96pts Wine Spectator

A sublime bruiser of a wine, with layer after layer of chocolate-coated cherry and mulled plum. Notes of grilled herbs and apple wood smoke infuse the rich palate, with ample oak that is well-integrated. Nearly glycerol in feel, with power that builds, driven by a spine of iron and well-hewn tannins. *Collectible* 

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby red color with dark tints. On the nose, small red fruit, blackberry, morello cherry Intensely aromatic, powerful and elegant. Supple attack with a balanced supple structure, concentration and elegant tannins. Fully expressive of the terroir.

With all the virility of the Côte Brune, La Turque also has all the subtlety and femininity of the Côte Blonde.

About the Wine

Côte-Rôtie "La Turque" is one of the flagship of the Domaine GUIGAL. A powerful wine with spicy notes, its terroirs from côte brune with “blond accents” lends it a great elegance.

The Winery

Land with 24 centuries of history behind it, worked and preserved by three generations of winemakers with family values at their core and a commitment to an illustrious terrain that produces prestigious wines. This, in a nutshell, is the Maison Guigal. Right from the beginning the motto, “No Pains No Gains” underpins the promise made to Etienne Guigal. A commitment to work together to follow in his footsteps, to communicate the family’s passion and create so many emotions. Today, Marcel and Philippe, along with their wives, are the guardians of this exceptional domain which combines history, devotion and a sense of togetherness. A breath of inspiration for generations to come.