97pts Jeb Dunnuck

Scheduled to be botted at the end of this October, the 2019 Côte Rôtie Chateau D'Ampuis is another beautiful, layered, incredibly impressive wine. Ripe darker fruits, smoked meats, tapenade, and ground pepper all define the bouquet, and it's full-bodied, with a wealth of baby fat, lots of tannins, and a great, great finish. It's certainly in line with past vintages and perhaps shows a touch more tannic structure than the 2018.
Barrel Sample: 95-97

96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2019 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is a super example of this cuvée, which blends fruit from seven different lieux-dits (three on the Cote Blonde and four on the Cote Brune). Smoky, herbal and complex, with a solid foundation of blueberry and raspberry fruit, it's full-bodied and concentrated yet silky, elegant and long on the finish.
Barrel Sample: 94-96

96pts James Suckling

This combines the elegance and finesse for which the appellation is famous with tremendous power. In spite of this the tannins are very fine, the generous oak already beautifully woven into the plush tapestry of flavors. Stunning length and complexity at the finish. From seven plots that are neighbours to La Mouline and La Landonne on the Cote-Rotie. A cuvee of 93% syrah and 7% viognier. Matured in 100% new oak barrels for 38 months. Drink or hold.

95pts Wine Spectator

Fresh and stewed plum flavors have a caressing feel, with bitter chocolate and singed lard chiming in. Orange peel acidity nicely props up the round, weighty palate, while bitter cherry, roasted apple wood and mesquite smoke stretch out on the firm, iron-edged finish. This should have a long life ahead in the cellar. Drink now through 2032.

Winemaker Notes

The hallmark of Château d’Ampuis is an unbelievably seductive perfume full of sweet black fruits and spices, and an elegance despite the intense concentration of fruit (prunes, blackberry) and tannin. Château d’Ampuis defines what a great Côte-Rôtie should be with its beautiful balance, muscular complexity and length. A wine from a tannic and muscular vintage due to the hot climate. Solid tannins, yet well rounded by long oak ageing.

Winery Notes

The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the ancient village of Ampuis, home of the wines of the Côte-Rôtie. In these vineyards that are over 2400 years old, you can still see the small terraced walls characteristic of the Roman period. Etienne Guigal arrived in this region in 1923 at the age of 14. He made wine for over 67 vintages and, at the beginning of his career, participated in the development of the Vidal-Fleury establishment.