E. Guigal : La Turque 2020

The 2020 Côte-Rôtie La Turque is terrific, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, spices, pencil lead, bay leaf and violet. Full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s concentrated and multidimensional, delivering controlled power within the firmest—yet most refined—structure of the La-La cuvées (La Turque, La Mouline and La Landonne). It concludes with a long, expansive finish. This will require time in the cellar to reveal all its nuances.

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. Syrah and Viognier. Drink now through 2040. 90 cases imported.

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 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.

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

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.

La Turque is majestic, with a tight, energetic palate—still firm, but tremendously promising. A great wine to keep in the cellar for at least 10 years.

Deeply colored, the perfume bursts with notes of chocolate, espresso, smoke, spice, flowers, and cherry with just a swirl. Rich, lush, opulent, and long-lasting, this wine is already a thrilling taste experience. It offers intensity balanced with concentration, providing both a sensuous and an intellectual experience. Over time, it could become one of the great vintages of La Turque. The wine is a blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier. Drink between 2030 and 2050.