E. Guigal Château d’Ampuis Côte-Rôtie 2021

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. Syrah and Viognier. Best from 2026 through 2042. Score – 95. (Kristen Bieler, winespectator.com, Oct. 1, 2025)