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E. Guigal

Côte-Rôtie Chateau d'Ampuis 2021

Cote-Rotie

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E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d’Ampuis is a standout expression of the appellation and a nod to the Guigal family’s legacy. Sourced from seven top lieu-dits on both the Côte Brune and Côte Blonde and aged 38 months in new oak, it rivals the LaLas in quality. The wine is named for historic château dating back to the 11th century, restored by Marcel Guigal after he purchased it in 1995. Reviving the estate’s name, the Guigals crafted a wine that reflects both their signature style and the enduring prestige of Côte-Rôtie.

VINEYARD

Today, Château d’Ampuis is made from seven exceptional vineyards from both sides of Côte-Rôtie, the Côte Blonde and the Côte Brune, with vines averaging 50 years of age. These are exceptional vineyards, and in fact, every vineyard adjoins one of the three “LaLa” crus: La Mouline, La Landonne or La Turque. The sites Le Clos, La Garde and La Grande Plantée lie in the Côte Blonde. La Pommière, Le Pavillon Rouge, Le Moulin and La Viria sit in the Côte Brune.

WINEMAKING

Ampuis is composed of 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier, and aged in the same manner as the Guigal single-vineyard crus: a 4 week maceration and alcoholic fermentation followed by elevage in new barrels that are all made at the estate. This wine, however, spends only 38 months in barrel compared to 42.

VINTAGE

The 2021 vintage had weather challenges, namely frost and hail, but produced high-quality, fresh, structured wines with good acidity, despite lower yields and a late harvest.

TASTING NOTE

The hallmark of Chateau d’Ampuis is an unbelievably seductive perfume full of sweet black fruits and spices, and an elegance in spite of the intense concentration of fruit (prunes, blackberry) and tannin.

FOOD PAIRING

Duck confit, Portabello mushrooms

Color

Red

Blend %

100% Syrah

Appellation

Cote-Rotie

Alcohol

13%

Suggested Retail Price

$215.99

Reviews

95

Wine Spectator - October 1, 2025 "A dark, thick, blockbuster style, with layers of sweet tapenade, steeped cherry, espresso, lavender paste and chewy earth that unfurl. Rich and smoky, showing decadent lashings of oak toast and charred mesquite. Bay leaf and white pepper add an appealing flash of freshness. Iron-edged tannins are firm yet not chunky, offering a refined feeling on the substantial finish."

94

James Suckling - April 14, 2025 "This has the cooler personality of the vintage with a touch of blood orange character, but also a wide spectrum of red and black berry aromas. Impressive tannin structure that's been expertly crafted. Long finish with excellent integration of spicy oak and stony minerality. From the same seven plots as every year. Matured in 100% new oak."

93

Wine Advocate - November 20, 2025 "Somber and darker in profile than the Brune et Blonde, the 2021 Côte-Rôtie Château d'Ampuis has turned out very well in bottle, revealing aromas of smoke, oak, toast, spices and baked dark berries intertwined with notes of iris. Medium- to full-bodied, structured and concentrated, it offers a firm core of fruit and a solid chassis of tannins, concluding with a long, mineral finish. This is a strong effort."

93

Jeb Dunnuck - March 28, 2024

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E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie Château d’Ampuis Bottle Shot

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