The 1991 La Turque behaves as if it wants to be the northern Rhone's answer to Richebourg and Musigny. However, with the exception of Domaine Leroy, you cannot find a Richebourg or Musigny with the richness and complexity possessed by this awesome wine. The saturated dark purple color is followed by a wine that is surprisingly lighter in the mouth than its great flavor intensity and rich extraction would suggest. It is a winemaking tour de force in that Guigal has been able to cram phenomenal levels of fruit, complexity, and richness into this velvety-textured wine without causing it to taste heavy. Anticipated maturity: 1998-2015.

Saturated ruby-red. Knockout nose combines dark berries, tar, iron, mocha, sweet butter and smoky oak. Velvety and extremely deep; the texture is truly three-dimensional. Great grip on the finish. Has the balance and structure to develop for many, many years. Perfectly ripe tannins are still covered by fruit.

The 1991 Côte-Rôtie La Turque comes across as more evolved and savory on the nose than La Mouline and La Landonne, with hints of black truffle shavings and roasted chestnut. Maybe there is a little more VA here? The palate is powerful and glossy, sumptuous and unapologetically sexy. Velvety in texture with blue fruit on its lush finish, this is a Côte-Rôtie that wants to flaunt itself.