1996 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis
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Tasting notes
Sadly, there are only 23,000 bottles (all aged in small oak) of the outstanding 1996 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis, which was bottled in October, 1999. Its dark ruby/purple color is followed by an intense nose of tapenade, dried herbs, licorice, leather, and black currants. The wine is nicely-textured, soft, with less acidity than most 1996 Cote Roties, and a layered, supple finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. Importer: Fred Ek, Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA; tel. (805) 686-9153
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Saturated ruby-red. Complex nose combines black raspberry, black cherry, tar, licorice, pepper and smoky oak. Rich on entry but already beginning to shut down following the bottling. Fresh acids give the wine excellent grip. As with the above wine, the tannins are not especially noticeable today. Quite long on the palate.