A behemoth that satisfies on all accounts, the 2009 Cote Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis (93% Syrah and 7% Viognier) got a big “Wow!” in my notes. Deep, rich and incredibly layered, with massive Syrah fruit, bacon fat, espresso roast, licorice and chocolate, as well as a striking minerality that emerges with time in the glass, this full-bodied, dense and superbly concentrated 2009 should be given another handful of years in the cellar, and consumed over the following two decades. Drink: 2015 - 2035
-Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate #210 Dec 2013

The spectacular 2009 Cote Rotie Chateau d’Ampuis boasts a dense purple color along with abundant aromas of incense, charcoal, lavender, black raspberries, lard/bacon fat, licorice and background toast. This rich, full-bodied, tannic, massive Cote Rotie begs for 2-4 years of bottle age, and should drink well for two decades thereafter. Marcel Guigal believes it is the finest Chateau d’Ampuis made to date (the debut was 1995). (95+)